Read
18God's people will escape,
but all who are wicked
will pay the price.
20Be sensible and store up
precious treasures—
don't waste them
like a fool.
21If you try to be kind and good,
you will be blessed with life
and goodness and honor.
22One wise person can defeat
a city full of soldiers
and capture their fortress.
Reflect
As I write this two of my dear friends are facing life-threatening cancer. It was sobering to travel to their home cities so that for just an hour or so we could be in each other’s presence, share meaningful words and embraces and experience the comfort of God’s presence and Word together. One of the passages I shared with both of these men and their spouses was Proverbs 21:21 ““He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor.” (NAS)
In their lives I have observed exactly what the sage noted. The fibre of these men’s lives was a passion for righteousness; right relationship with God leading to right relationship with others. The testimony of their lives is actions and attitudes that speak of sacrificial service, altruism, humility and godly character. A special aspect of both of their lives is loyalty; faithful, covenantal love.
Biblical loyalty does not equate to mindless devotion but rather a tenacious commitment. Loyal people show this commitment to spouses, family, church communities and leaders and other areas of responsibility. There is a merciful kindness in how they relate to the people in their lives.
That is why it was easy, in one sense, to visit with my friends. There was no atmosphere of regret hanging over the room. Righteous, loyal lives meant these men leave a legacy of right relationships and honour. Sons, daughters, grandchildren express that they have been raised in an environment of life and love. Spouses have memories of a journey of faith with someone who served and valued them. Pastors and friends make special trips just to say what their loyalty and example meant to them. Tributes come from unexpected voices as they remember meaningful, life giving moments.
It is true. “Whoever tries to live right and be loyal finds life, success, and honor” (v 21, New Century Version).
Respond
Heavenly Father, we prayerfully ponder lives that leave a legacy of right relationships. We honour those you have placed in our lives who have impacted us in that manner. Come Holy Spirit and continue to shape righteousness and loyalty in us for Jesus glory. Amen.
David R. Wells
Dave Wells has served as General Superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) since May 2008 after serving as the District Superintendent of the BC/Yukon District. He served as Senior Associate Pastor at Broadway Church, Vancouver from 1994 to 1999 and previously pastored in Hamilton, On, Calgary, AB and Red Deer, AB. Dave has served as a Canadian chaplain for the Olympic (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016) Paralympic (2010), Pan Am (2011, 2015), Parapans (2015), Invictus (2017) and Commonwealth Games (1990,1994, 2002, 2014, 2018). He has served as the Chair of the organizing committee’s Multi-Faith committee which organized the Vancouver-Whistler Olympic chaplaincy at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Toronto 2015 chaplaincy at the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games and the chaplaincy at the Invictus Games 2017. He served as Chair from 2007-2013 of the Board for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. He has an MA in Christian Ministry from Briercrest Seminary, SK and has been awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees by McMaster Divinity College and Briercrest College and Seminary. Dave and his wife Susan have 3 children and eight grandchildren (one of whom is in heaven).