Proverbs 20:25-30

In Proverbs 20:25-30 Solomon reminds us to be careful about committing things to God for His use alone.  It can be an emotional and rash promise, yet God expects us to do as we say. “It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows.” Wisdom protects us from making vows that are unwise before we open our mouth. A wise earthly ruler not only knows how to carefully examine the wicked, but then also how to bring whatever punishment is appropriate, to use what is wise and necessary to separate the evil from the good. “A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.”

God has a way of revealing what is in our inner being since He created us uniquely.  Each of us have mysterious truths that we think are hidden, but God’s light can reveal all that constitutes us as humans who are spiritual beings with moral, intellectual, and spiritual capacities.  He can see and reveal it all. “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” God’s word – can search the depths of a man’s heart like nothing else. This is because God’s word is living and active.  It is the perfect standard by which we are measured today, and for eternity. God has placed a conscience in each of us to enlighten us through His Spirit.

Leaders may be preserved by God’s steadfast love and faithfulness that are shown to them from God Himself, but are also kept in place through that same love and faithfulness shown to those he leads. God set the example for the way leaders should have a servant and covenant love for their people, and rather than have leadership upheld by force and power, it is most effective when earned and established through caring for those you lead. “Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.” Jesus is the ultimate example of a servant leader who loved His followers faithfully and fully!

God designed human development in a way that young men excel in physical strength, and this is an important attribute to them.  But what the old men lack in physical strength, they should make up for in wisdom that is appropriate for those who have a gray head of hair. “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” Pain is a burden, but it can bring a benefit. If we allow the unpleasant fire of pain to refine and cleanse away evil, then our sorrow and pain was not wasted. God desires to refine us and make us pure and clean. “Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.” If we receive discipline with wisdom, it will purify us.