True Colours

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn allow us to create an astonishing, faultless character that can deceitfully impress the reader. But it’s hard to hide our true colours when someone pushes our hot buttons.

Would it be wonderful when life squeezes us that the character which shows up would be prudent, wise and righteous?

Having Faith in Jesus as both God and Friend

I must admit, I sometimes fall into the same trap Jesus’ friends and family fell into. When I hear that someone from my small Manitoba town has “made it big” somewhere in the world, it’s easy for me to discount the accomplishment. Why do we seem to think the amazing people all come from somewhere else?

In a very real sense, Jesus did come from somewhere else.

A Safe Place

Not much has changed since these words were written. The rich have plenty of “friends” who hope to benefit from their wealth. Foolishness leads only to more foolishness, as those who make unwise use of credit cards can attest. Friendship with untrustworthy people will let you down. People like this do not know security.

On the other hand, kindness to those in need, wanting what is good, hard work, wisdom, honesty – these are the characteristics of the person who loves God and wants to please him.

Hallelujah for Wisdom

The opening “Praise the Lord” is actually the Hebrew Hallelu Yah – or Hallelujah as we would write it – which identifies this as a hymn of Praise.

This hymn is a circular movement – from praise to reverence to wisdom and back to praise. The expression of praise flows from a heart of gratitude for God’s mighty acts. This leads to reverence (fear of the Lord) which leads to wisdom which leads back to praise.