Proverbs 27
“Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth: a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Simple encouragement for us today. Of course you are doing MANY things well. Be satisfied that God sees that in you and don’t look for man’s approval by slightly bringing attention to the fruitful and cool stuff you are doing. Let another person notice and bring it up
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
The two times in the Bible where people kissed someone did not end well for the “kissers.”
Orpah kisses Naomi and leaves while Ruth clings to Naomi and though the road is hard, initially she finds her Boaz, destiny, and even as a foreigner, becomes part of the line of David and Jesus!
Judas kisses Jesus and loses everything. Both Orpah and Judas were so very close to their “friends” but really turned out to be enemies.
When Nathan corrected David it was no doubt “wounding” but it was a faithful thing.
Today, let’s see if we can humble ourselves, allow our good works to be noticed by God and wait for our promotion from God, while not fearing correction and redirection by God through another believer, that may feel wounding, but will actually be part of a faithful healing for us. Lastly, be careful who you “kiss” or flatter or who may wish to do so to you. It is often folks closest to us who like Orpah simply “give up” and leave the ministry or relationship or job, or Judas who misunderstood God’s plan, wanted to be “in charge” and eventually got so far down the wrong path that there was no way back, who can harm and disappoint us the most.
Be a true friend and try and hang with true friends:
“Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.”