Key Verse: Proverbs 26:20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
In the margins of the New King James Version, The Open Bible Expanded Edition, there are comments on our key verse and the two verses following it. It indicates that “talebearer” could have been translated “gossip.” Proverbs 22:22 reads, “The words of a talebearer [gossip] are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” Again the NKJV notes that gossip goes, and here is the literal translation, into “rooms of the belly.”
Proverbs 26:27b presents a dramatic word picture, “He who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” This is in the context of talebearing or gossip. It talks of “fervent lips with a wicked heart” (26:23a). Just imagine pushing the stone pictured above and having it roll back to crush the person trying to hold the weight of false words.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that You will enable me to watch my words carefully lest they, like a stone, roll back on me. You’ve given me words here in Proverbs which produce life and not death. May my entire vocabulary be influenced by the “Wisdom” I am reading daily. I pray this in the Name of “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m still here in Nashville, the home of country music, but today’s blog has me thinking of the rock group, The Rolling Stones. Through the years those Stones have rolled over millions of people, the lyrics of their songs leaving a lasting impression on young people particularly. Consider these lyrics: “I can’t get no satisfaction…’cause I try and I try and I try and I try. I Can’t get no…I can’t get no…satisfaction.” My answer? TRY JESUS. He’s the only One who truly satisfies!
Speaking of “rolling stones,” Bruce Stacey has created a great animated children’s production “Rez, the Rock that Rolled” (click here for a preview). I plan to put this powerful animated message on my laptop and show it to children, God willing, whenever I get a chance. Here is a link to where you can find it on DVD at the Crossroads eStore.
Yours for the Rock that doesn’t roll, “The Rock of Ages,” a solid foundation for our lives,
David
Up Next in Year 2 | December
-
100 Words - YR2 December 6th - A Frie...
Key Verses: Proverbs 27:17, 28:1
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
…The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
The word “friend” in our first key verse refers back to 27:10a which says, “Do not forsake your own friend or your f... -
100 Words - YR2 December 7th - A Stif...
Key Verses: Proverbs 29:1
He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Two kings of Israel, Saul and David, were both rebuked…Saul by Samuel and David by Nathan. Saul was as one who “hardens his neck,” becoming stubborn and unwilling to chang... -
100 Words - YR2 December 8th - Character
Key Verses: Proverbs 31:10-11
Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
It’s interesting that at the close of Solomon’s collection of proverbs he would suggest that wisdom is summed up in the ch...
