First to speak

"In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." - Proverbs 18:17

This proverb is so true. How often have you been involved in a challenging conversation with people and been convinced by the initial ideas put forward? The more you think about what is being said, the more you feel 'This is right!' 

However, as soon as you have let those ideas settle in your mind, then someone else comes along and presents an equally compelling argument. And then you are stumped! Mmm, what do you make of that argument now?

I guess, it is always good to hear both sides of any story, before you make a judgement. In trying to discern the truth, it goes deeper than just two good speeches - knowing something about the characters who are speaking also makes a difference.

Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

"We are not living in a world where all roads are radii of a circle and where all, if followed long enough, will therefore draw gradually nearer and finally meet at the centre: rather in a world where every road, after a few miles, forks into two, and each of those into two again, and at each fork, you must make a decision." - C. S. Lewis

"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." -Robert H. Schuller

Living in Grace
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Strong Tower

Each one of us will turn to different people or things to help us get through difficult times. The writer of Proverbs 18 contrasts two different extremes of this:

"The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;  the righteous run to it and are safe.
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale." - Proverbs 18:10-11

For the person who loves God, they will run to the 'name of the Lord' which will be their security, refuge and strength. Once we hide in the name of the Lord we are safe and we can trust in God's promises to guide us through the troubled waters.

For the person who has a lot of wealth the temptation is to place their trust in financial security - I guess the underlying thought is "money can buy me everything I need and this will be my comfort and hope. No one can reach me over the high walls of this cover."

Sadly, there are many stories of how money, wealth and power all let people down in the end. I know that God will never disown us or let us down. It is worth thinking about!?

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into light.”- Hellen Keller

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” —Robert H. Schuller

“With God, you are stronger than your struggles and more fierce than your fears. God provides comfort and strength to those who trust in Him. Be encouraged, keep standing, and know that everything's going to be alright.” - Germany Kent

Living in Grace
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Proverbs 18

"God’s name is a place of protection—
    good people can run there and be safe.

¹¹ The rich think their wealth protects them;
    they imagine themselves safe behind it.

¹² Pride first, then the crash,
    but humility is precursor to honour.

¹³ Answering before listening
    is both stupid and rude.

¹⁴ A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
    but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

¹⁵ Wise men and women are always learning,
    always listening for fresh insights.

¹⁶ A gift gets attention;
    it buys the attention of eminent people." - Proverbs 18 (Message)

When I stumbled upon Proverbs 18 today, I have to admit that I only needed to read verse 10 - that was enough for me - God gave me the hope and encouragement I needed. As you read these words, may you find a WORD of comfort from one of the lives of this Proverb.

Living in Grace

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18 - Fools and Friends

Solomon was certainly someone who encountered many fools in his lifetime. I am sure that he also had a lot of acquaintances, but probably only a few friends. The same may apply to you too - perhaps you know many fools and have few friends. Jesus had the same troubles - many people came to him because they needed something, but there were only a few people whom he called 'friends.' 

May we all be friends of Jesus. Read these words and allow them to guide you through today.


"Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
    they lash out at common sense.

² Fools have no interest in understanding;
    they only want to air their own opinions.

⁶ Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
    they are asking for a beating.

⁷ The mouths of fools are their ruin;
    they trap themselves with their lips.

¹⁹ An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
    Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

²⁰ Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
    the right words bring satisfaction.

²⁴ There are “friends” who destroy each other,
    but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Living in Grace

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