the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Proverbs 13:7-25
"The light of the righteous rejoiceth . . ." (v. 9; cf. Psalms 97:11). The joy of the Lord is part of the witness of the children of light. A sad Christian is often a sorry looking Christian. A sullen humour is like a screen which hides all the brightness that a believer should have. By contrast, "the lamp of the wicked shall be put out" (v. 9; Proverbs 24:20). They lack oil, just as the foolish virgins in the parable (Matthew 25:8), for the life of the Spirit is not there to maintain the light.
"Only by pride cometh contention" (v. 10). We generally explain away our quarrels as caused by other motives but we are quick to recognize pride in our opponent. This verse is an eye-opener! A quarrel betrays my own pride: I want to be in the right; it humbles me to give in. It will be enough then for me to show the spirit of Christ in order to cause the conflict to cease at once and . . . in reality, gain the victory (Matthew 5:39-40; Genesis 13:8-9).
The law of the wise is a fountain of life (v. 14). Listen then to those from whom we can recognise this wisdom from above — better still, walk with them (v. 20). Who are our companions?
