Daily Devotion in Proverbs 25

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Daily Nugget:
Man’s and God’s ways of dealing with those who dislike or turn against a person are entirely different.  When dealing with an enemy, man's natural reaction is to get even or harm the person. 

God’s way is entirely foreign to how man would handle a situation. His way is not to get even or to harm the adversary. His approach is to be kind to the person, even though an enemy’s behavior does not warrant kindness. If one’s enemy is hungry, give him food.  If he is thirsty, quench that thirst.  That is God’s way.
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:” Proverbs 25:21

The first thing one’s pride would shout is, “That is showing weakness.  Their treatment of me will only get worse.”

It certainly is not weak to fight one’s natural inclinations.  Treating the opposition kindly and overcoming what the flesh wants to do to the adversary takes great character, control, and strength.

Deep down inside, one attacking, accusing, or making life miserable for another knows what he is doing.  He knows no kindness is deserved. However, when he receives it, it often summons guilt that they wronged another who did not deserve poor treatment. 

One does not know what kindness can do in another’s life. In many cases, undeserved kindness can stir the wrongdoer's conscience, and regrets will be experienced.   A bad situation is often changed because of one’s undeserved mercy to another.
“For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” Proverbs 25:22
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20

Loving our enemies and praying for them is God’s way.  It is how He treats us. When one deals with opposition the way God commands, hostilities may be reduced, and the peacemaker may be rewarded (Proverbs 25:22). 

None of us deserves any kindness from a God we sin against too often, yet remember the bountiful mercy He poured out on us. All were once enemies of God, but He forgave those who sought forgiveness and was kind to them. Be kind to all as your Father has done to you.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

Today’s Thought: 
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Help to make earth happy,
Like the Heaven above.    — Carney

Words to Understand:
Infamy: disgrace
Maul: a mallet-like weapon
Nitre: a salt; potassium or sodium

Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 25
1 ¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 ¶ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 ¶ Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 ¶ Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 ¶ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 ¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 ¶ Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 ¶ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 ¶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 ¶ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 ¶ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 ¶ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 ¶ As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 ¶ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 ¶ The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 ¶ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 ¶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 ¶ It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 ¶ He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.