Proverbs 17

What do you want today? Quiet or strife? Wisdom or shame? How can you live a quiet life growing in the wisdom that comes from above, and stay far away from unnecessary strife and foolishness that only brings more trouble?

Sin entered the world through one man. Now life under the sun is badly broken. A bad report is eagerly heard and spreads like fire. Evil people use their money to get their own way. Others make promises that they cannot keep and people they may not even know feel the pain. Even family members may not be respectful or loving to one another. Not only evil people get hurt. The best around us are not exempt from getting their hearts badly bruised. They may not be able to find the way back to joy.

Where is wisdom? Who will fix the problems that are not only outside us but within us?

The Lord Jesus tests hearts. He also covers an offense.

He came into this present world of strife and brought a new world of love into being. He covered over our deep offenses with His own righteous blood. He took away our shame. He is bringing into the hearts of His people a new resolve to live a quiet life of godliness and sincerity with Him and with one another.

He is a friend who loves at all times, a brother who came to us in our worst adversity. He has given us good reason to have a joyful heart today, which is very good medicine.