Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to ourchristianwalk@aol.com
In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
Proverbs 10:6, 10:7, 10:11, 11:11, 13:2, 15:28
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
NOTE: From Proverbs, Chapter 10 through Chapter 22:16, Solomon writes a series of individual proverbs for us to consider. I will try and group similar proverbs in my devotions as I cover what Solomon wrote over these chapters.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
These words of Jesus from the Beatitudes are some of the most assuring words in the scriptures. For as we walk through life and seek to do it right, hungering and thirsting for it, we will always find ourselves satisfied (or blessed), filled by the goodness that comes from receiving guidance that leads and guides us toward righteousness.
As we look at our collection of Proverbs today, we see Solomon proclaiming the good we find in righteous living when we seek the Lord’s counsel. Look again at these verses and then we’ll break down the specific benefits of an upright life:
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
1. Righteous living brings blessings.
Blessings crown the head of the righteous.
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things.
Blessings could be tangible things from the One who gives us every good and perfect gift from above. They could also be intangible like the joy and peace we feel when we are living within the favor of the Lord. For there’s a satisfaction that comes in knowing we have turned from sin toward full obedience to God’s word and way.
2. Righteous living blesses others.
The name of the righteous is used in blessings.
When you live your life right in accordance with the word and will of the Lord, then you will stand out when people begin to consider role models for righteousness. Your name will be used to bless others, possibly with someone referring a person needing spiritual guidance your way. As you are connected to those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, you can serve as a conduit to connect them to the One who will always lead them in that direction and, in turn, they, like you, will find themselves blessed.
3. Righteous living produces righteous speech.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers.
When you live righteously, your words become a part of it. Not that the words are spoken by your own wisdom but rather they are spoken with the discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit who will ensure the words we speak are the words the Lord wishes for us to speak. We should always seek Him for the right words to say and when we do, He will provide them to us. It’s little wonder why Jesus said these words to His disciples as He sent them out to spread the good news:
“You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are My followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about Me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” Luke 21:12b-15
When we’re practicing righteousness and need the proper words to say to others, we need only turn to the Lord and He, as He did for His first disciples, will give us the words to say. Those words will always be a fountain of life for whoever hears them.
4. Collectively, righteous living can bless a city.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.
More than any other city in the world, Jerusalem has typically been exalted, at least by anyone who was of the Lord. Like any city, it had and still has its share of enemies.
So what makes Jerusalem that way? Obviously, it’s God who chose it as His special swelling place but it also has to do with people who live there. For if the inhabitants of Jerusalem were not living upright, then the city would not be blessed nor exalted.
When the majority of a population serves the Lord in a way that honors and glorifies Him, then the city they live in will be distinguished and eminent. The cities of the world today could learn a lot from Jerusalem and imagine how much better our world would be if every city and its occupants placed its focus on righteousness and seeking the favor and blessing of the Lord.
Friends, Christian living is built on the foundation of righteousness, a righteousness we are to always seek, a righteousness we should hunger and thirst for. When we do so, God’s word tells us we will be filled but as we have seen, there is a lot more good that comes of it, underscored by the words of Solomon.
Won’t you join me in making righteousness a priority in your life during every second of every minute of every hour of every day that the Lord grants you? If you do, I guarantee you that you will find yourself blessed and you will be a blessing to others.
God’s word promises it.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to ourchristianwalk@aol.com
Send any prayer requests to ourchristianwalk@aol.com
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