Day 1,078: Proverbs 25- Sovereign Stream Of Strength

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
 
What your eyes have seen
8     do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another's secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.
 
11 A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
 
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
 
28 A man without self-control
    is like a city broken into and left without walls.
 
Meditation
The headwaters of human strength are discovered in surrender to God’s sovereignty. The gospel frees us to discover the power of God, the sufficiency of His grace, by celebrating our limitations and weaknesses.
 
“The glory of God conceals things… the glory of kings searches them out” (2). God does not reveal all His reasons or His ways but we are wise to seek Him and His revelation with keen awareness of our limitations.
 
Celebrating God’s sovereignty by seeking God and His revelation is the fountainhead for faithfulness, the way of wisdom in a world of foolish self-sufficiency.  Praising God for His power refines us (4-10). Sinking roots into the soil of God’s sovereignty gives us wisdom to speak the right words at the right time (11-14), live and love with gentleness and kindness (15-20), serve (even your enemy) in goodness (21-26), and discover glory in self-control (27-28).
 
Wisdom understands the distinction between Creator and creature, the limits of human autonomy in light of God’s total authority.
 
Jesus reinforces the upside-down nature of wisdom by doubling down on teaching about serving our enemy (compare 21-23 to Matthew 15:17-20). Jesus Himself took on the limitations of humanity, fully human to give His life for enemies who put Him to death. Jesus was fully God who came not to be served but to serve, giving His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:35-45). The work of Jesus invites us to surrender our autonomy to find strength in His all-sufficient sovereignty.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the downward flow of God’s sovereignty, moving from the opening of this chapter and cascading throughout the verses? Which application stands out to you the most? Why?
 
-Do you rejoice in your limitations and weaknesses? Why or why not? How does this reveal your understanding of the implications of God’s sovereignty?
 
-Jesus was fully God and fully human. Jesus surrendered in weakness to the Father’s sovereign plan, to die on the cross for our sin, so we who struggle with autonomy and self-sufficiency can repent and begin again. Where do you need to repent of trying to live beyond your limitations, controlling others and lacking grace, love, and the fruit of the Spirit?
 
Key Verse
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.