Read
25Good news from far away
refreshes like cold water
when you are thirsty.
26When a good person gives in
to the wicked,
it's like dumping garbage
in a stream of clear water.
27Don't eat too much honey
or always want praise.
28Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
as a city without a wall.
Reflect
A good person should do good without compromising what is good. Then everyone benefits.
In God’s Word the “good person” is the one who is made right with God, who, continually filled with His Word and Spirit, is able to live in a way that reflects God’s own goodness.
This proverb uses an image so familiar to our lives — water, restoring and sustaining.
A drink of cold water is compared with good news received from far away. After days, weeks, even months of concern and worry, we delight in taking in the details of a good report like a tall refreshing drink.
But the blessing of clear and refreshing water can easily be lost. What if someone were to dump garbage in the water supply of our communities? How would the weary be refreshed or the weak strengthened? What would happen to this precious life-sustaining source?
The Bible teaches that this is what happens when a good person, someone who knows how to do good, gives in to the wicked. A moral pollution spreads, as Bruce Waltke brilliantly points out in his commentary. In the end, everyone suffers.
We have key contributions to make to life around us. The first one is in the giving of the Water of Life, the life-giving and life-sustaining Good News of God’s good kingdom. (John 7:37-38) Then, persevering in doing good and in doing our part to preserve God’s standards for life in families and society.
But let’s not forget that this ability to do good comes from God and not from ourselves! “Don’t eat too much honey or always want praise” the proverb says.
And keep your cool while you go about doing good in this broken world. Pressures come from all sides and losing self-control only increases our vulnerability.
Respond
Dear Lord Jesus, you who came to satisfy the thirst of every human heart, help me to be a witness of your love and generous goodness! In this broken and morally polluted world, help me to gently lead those around me to the Source of Life. I ask it humbly in your Name. Amen.
Jacqueline Dugas
Jacqueline Dugas is Vice President and Director of Ministries at Every Home for Christ International/Canada (EHC), where she has served on the executive leadership team for more than two decades. Her ministry work involves speaking and writing for a trans-denominational and international audience on the broad topic of knowing God and making Jesus known everywhere. Jacqueline has authored 7 Days with Jesus, written as a follow up resource for Finding the Hope, EHC’s evangelism outreach in Canada and abroad. She has co-authored the widely used evangelism booklet, Finding the Hope, and the Finding the Hope Personal Kit, both published in multiple languages. She is co-producer of EHC’s monthly publication, Harvest Partner.