Today's Reading September 9

Good Sunday morning to you.
This morning's Old Testament reading is Proverbs 15 and 16.
At one time, I understand, it was common for those of certain religious persuasions to have their school-children copy these out, that thereby they might be committed to memory and be a guide to them. I only wish we did that today. It might be somewhat of a defense against the mass foolishness that we see all about us. These are all short, barely a sentence in most of these verses. But good practical instruction for all walks and stages of life.

16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

You don't see that much on American Idol. Or

16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

And

15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

These are so contrary to the world we inhabit, and we are the worse for it. We abandoned the search for wisdom and truth, in many cases denying that such things even exist. And we are reaping the bitter harvest now.

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This evening's New Testament portion is chapter 1 of 2nd Corinthians. This is a very personal letter of Paul's, very autobiographical, and some believe that he had no anticipation nor intention that it ever be circulated. And yet it was and we are glad of it. Paul here acknowledges that, contrary to today's messages of 'easy-beliefism' and ''cheap grace'', the life of a believer is going to be one of struggle and strife and it will not be easy. It wasn't then and it isn't today either. Someone once said that if your not being opposed by the Devil, then perhaps it means you're walking in the direction that he wanted you going. I don't know how high-end theologically approved that is, but there's a great deal of truth in it. Paul didn't have that situation and he frankly admits here to the existence of opposition and despair almost to the point of death. Yet he did not give up. He continued on, going here and there, an unwelcome stranger almost everywhere, greeted with open hostility and opprobrium. But he just kept on going. Our lives are sometimes like that - I recall reading of missionaries who labored diligently in a mission field for 20 years or more and saw little or no signs of success - the visible success came later, in the ground that they had plowed and tended so diligently out of a sense of obedience to the calling. We too, all of us who claim the name of Christ, have a calling too, more than one in fact. All of us have our own unique gifts, talents, and calling. But some things are commanded of ALL, and that includes the Great Commission. Paul was faithful to his, obedient no matter the cost. What will it cost each of us? Are we willing, as was he?

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

and later

18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;