Careful Thoughts

"I have played squash regularly with a group of friends for many years. We are all about the same standard. We virtually take it in turns to win and lose. Nevertheless, winning always feels good.

We always enjoy a victory. The feelings of pleasure and satisfaction that accompany victory are quite natural. This is, of course, a trivial example. The victory that is at the centre of today’s passages is of a totally different order and significance. But even the tiniest and most insignificant victory gives us a taste of its meaning and joy.

Jesus and the Victory of God is the title of a book by Professor Tom Wright, former Bishop of Durham. This title sums up the themes in today’s passages. The great victory of God that we read about in the New Testament is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. The ultimate victory of God came with the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of his Spirit.

The kingdom that this victory ushered in has a present and a future aspect. In the future, when Jesus returns, his kingdom will be finally and completely established forever. At the present time we continue to see the fallen world around us, but we hope and pray for the kingdom to break in.

Proverbs 14:5-14

Victory of goodness

The ‘fool’ in the book of Proverbs does not mean someone lacking intelligence. Rather it means the rebel (especially against God and the laws of decency and justice): ‘the mocker … the foolish … the wicked … the faithless’ (vv.6,7,9,11,14) come to a sticky end (vv.11–14). Their path ends in death.

On the other hand, as we see in this passage, the book of Proverbs is full of teaching about the importance of righteousness and holiness. We read here about ‘a truthful witness … the upright … the good’ (vv.5,9,11,14).

The implication is that the righteous will in some way outlast death and ‘will flourish’ and be ‘rewarded’ (vv.11–14). In other words, they will ultimately be victorious: ‘a moral life is a favoured life’ (v.9b, MSG).   

Lord, help me always to be a truthful witness. May I have the wisdom to give careful thought to everything I do. Help me, by the power of your Holy Spirit, to be faithful in all my ways and do the good works which you have prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10)."

1. Thank You for the ultimate victory.

2. Thank You for a very good, long walk in the city with new friends.

3. Thank You for a satisfying dinner after the great, fun walk.