Day 196: Soften Your Heart and Harden Your Feet (Proverbs 17:5-14, Romans 2:17-3:8, Amos 1:1-2:16)

Day 196: Soften Your Heart and Harden Your Feet (Proverbs 17:5-14, Romans 2:17-3:8, Amos 1:1-2:16): Proverbs 17:5-14 5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;   whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,   and parents are the pride of their children. 7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—   how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;   they think success will come at every turn. 9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,   but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. 10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person   more than a hundred lashes a fool. 11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;   the messenger of death will be sent against them. 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs   than a fool bent on folly. 13 Evil will never leave the house   of one who pays back evil for good. 14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;   so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Commentary Soften your heart towards others If you have a heart softened by God, you will inevitably demonstrate love towards others. Our aim should be to live a life that ‘promotes love’ (v.9a). 1. Love the poor Your attitude to the poor reflects 

Proverbs 17:5-14

5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
  whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
  and parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
  how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
  they think success will come at every turn.

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
  but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
  more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
  the messenger of death will be sent against them.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
  than a fool bent on folly.

13 Evil will never leave the house
  of one who pays back evil for good.

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
  so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Commentary

Soften your heart towards others

If you have a heart softened by God, you will inevitably demonstrate love towards others. Our aim should be to live a life that ‘promotes love’ (v.9a).

1. Love the poor

Your attitude to the poor reflects your attitude to God: ‘Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker’ (v.5a). As God’s people we are called to friendship with and service of the poor.

2. Love your family

God’s ideal is for you to enjoy close and loving relationships between parents, grandparents and children: ‘Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children’ (v.6).

3. Love your friends

Love between close friends is extremely valuable. Guard your friendships. Do not quickly take offence or bear a grudge: ‘Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and – good-bye, friend!’ (v.9, MSG).

4. Love your critics

Jesus told us, ‘Love your enemies’ (Matthew 5:44). A soft heart is willing to take criticism, whether it comes from a friend or even from an ‘enemy’. ‘A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool’ (Proverbs 17:10).

Do your utmost to avoid arguments: ‘Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out’ (v.14).

Prayer

Lord, help me to love like this. Help me to guard my relationships in my family, with my friends, and with my critics. Help me to love the poor and make a real difference in their lives.


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