the book of Proverbs | Daily Encouragement

“Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.” (Proverbs 24: 19-20, NIV)

When it seems that evil and the servants of evil have gotten the upper hand, the word of God reminds us to “not fret” because “the evildoer has no future hope.”

The resistance of evil can be wearying to the spirit because there never seems to be an end to it. Evil seems to be everywhere and in everything; and its agents seem to thwart even the smallest grace.

Even so, remain faithful to the word of God and to the leading of the spirit of God. There is no future in the practice of wickedness; and there is no hope for the agents of evil. The extent to which we are able to confront evil without becoming like it; and to resist evil without losing heart, is a measure of our faith. – Luther

Tagged evil, faithfulness, the book of Proverbs, wickedness

September 16

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“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1, NIV)

Today’s verse brings to mind a certain company that changed its name in hopes of outrunning its deservedly poor reputation. The only problem was that whenever this company was mentioned in the media after its name change, the reference always went something like, “the company formerly known as. . .”

Call it a “handle,” a “flag,” a “label,” or a “tag,” it’s still a name. Everyone has a name; but not everyone has a good name.

The Bible says that a good name is more desirable than great wealth. Indeed, a good name is the confidence you see looking back at you in the mirror; a good name blesses our children; a good name is the fragrance of righteousness.

Guard your good name (or rehabilitate it, if you’ve allowed it to founder) by being faithful and truthful in all of your dealings with others. – Luther