Proverbs 11:28Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. English Standard Version (ESV)
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. English Standard Version (ESV)
Over the past couple of days we've considered how we are challenged to drop out of the "rat race" and to pursue a right standing with God through faith, love and peace. I read today's verse in Proverbs this morning and as I read it I thought of how it brought those things together.
You might say that whoever trusts in, invests their time, effort and even their hearts into the rat race, the race to accumulate things will fail, at least in the long run. History is full of those who have followed this rat race to the end only to find emptiness, loneliness and depression.
In contrast, those who "follow hard after God" find something different. In pursuing right standing with God, in loving God and loving others they find joy, peace and can come to the end of life with satisfaction and look forward to an even better life, an eternity of getting to know the One responsible for the joy and the peace (John 17:3).
Other images of the green leaf in scriptures come to mind, the tree planted by the stream in Psalm 1. The rat race leads to frustration, the "riches" will fall like the leave that withers in Psalm 1, but the person who pursues God, to be right with Him will truly prosper and not wither.
Psalm 1:3English Standard Version (ESV)
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Read the passage from The Message below and consider which that you'd rather have or be, a stump or a flourishing tree? Proverbs 11:28 The Message
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Proverbs 11:27-29The Message (MSG)
27 The one who seeks good finds delight;
the student of evil becomes evil.
28 A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump;
a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.
29 Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air;
common sense tells you it's a stupid way to live.
No comments:
Post a Comment