October 22, 2024 – A Broken Tooth HURTS!

A Broken Tooth HURTS!
October 22, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 25:18-20

 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 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.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “Worthless!” Have you ever considered the various ways people can be told that they are worthless? You might hear phrases like “good-for-nothing bum,” but how vivid is that?

    Solomon has a knack for words. He states that a person who lies about their friends is akin to a weapon or sharp tool because their falsehoods inflict deep wounds on others. He further elaborates that placing trust in such an individual is comparable to attempting to eat with a broken tooth. Ouch! Regardless of one’s toughness, just thinking about it hurts. Not only does it cause physical pain, but misplaced trust proves to be a futile and agonizing endeavor. When you have a broken tooth with an exposed nerve, the last thing you desire is to eat something. And what about the agony of attempting to walk on a dislocated ankle? Have you ever twisted or, worse yet, broken your ankle? I recall an incident while playing softball when I started running from home plate to first base. In the process, I heard a “POP…” as I pulled a muscle in my ankle, and I collapsed in instant pain. The agony persisted for days, rendering me useless to the team for the rest of the game.

    Equally worthless is a person who would take a garment from someone shivering in the cold. What kind of person would commit such an act? This person would be the same individual who pours vinegar on nitre. Nitre was a type of soda used for cleaning, but when mixed with vinegar, it lost its effectiveness and became neutralized.

    Additionally, worthless is the person who rejoices while others are in misery. Solomon effectively illustrates the character of an unfaithful and untrustworthy individual. He paints a vivid picture of someone who proves worthless as a friend.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Solomon is describing an unsaved, uncaring individual who offers no assistance to his young son’s life and would be of little value as a friend. However, there is no one who is considered worthless in the eyes of God. He sent His Son Jesus to die for all of humanity. While this person may not make a good friend, every individual holds worth in the eyes of God.

Do we see everyone as valuable to God?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: October 22, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 10 – Luke 11
  Proverbs 25:18 – 20

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 63-66
  2 Thess. 1-2