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
As Christians, we know all about good news. It’s what we’ve been commanded to share (Mark 16:15). And as spreaders of the Good News, we are helping to bring that refreshing water to the thirsty people who need it. In fact, there is a quote I’ve heard from many a pulpit that says, “Your life may be the only Bible some people read.” So your life, like this proverb passage and that quote imply, can be refreshing too. Which is why it is so important to keep garbage out of your clear water.
Of course, our God is all-powerful and can use any life, regardless of its muckiness, for his glory, but that’s not to say we should try to get as dirty as possible. No, we should not seek out praise to a sickening degree or just do whatever we want while ignoring all the consequences. If God has forgiven your sins, washed you white as snow, and given you a new life, why would you continue living the old one?
Instead, be that refreshing, clear water that God has called you to be, so you can bring others to him. Do as Paul instructs in Romans 12:2 and “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.”
Respond
Almighty Father, your power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine, which is so comforting to know, but also challenging. I pray that you would help me live up to that challenge, to live my life for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Larissa Benfey
Larissa is a Toronto based actor and writer who has dabbled in everything from scripts to short stories, and is now setting her sights on novels. Having studied English and history at Tyndale University and Seminary, she loves a good story, but her favorite stories always have happy endings - which is part of why she loves the true story of the Gospel so much.