Reflections in Proverbs 20

In reading my morning devotion in Proverbs 20, several key verses arrested my attention.

Vss. 4 thru 7 reveal, "The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him".

These verses are, in my view, a powerful exposition and explanation of a man who is faithful, righteous, and prudent in all of his ways.

There seems to be a theme that runs throughout the entire 20th chapter of Proverbs: Perseverance, endurance.

Verse 21 says, "An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end".

Verse 22 says, "...wait for the Lord, and He will save you."

So often we can become discouraged, whether life or ministry, when we are forced to wait. Sowing and waiting can be difficult to say the least. There are times that the Lord will do us as He did Job - forced to wait without any further information. Often we may see others in life and ministry who appear to make it with such ease and rapidity.

If we remain faithful, prayerful, diligent, and people of integrity - HE will reward our labor. If not on THIS side, in the eternal life that awaits us where we will spend eternity with our Savior.

Of course, I am convinced that the Lord is and has raised up people of integrity - who have not bowed to baal nor surrendered their lives or ministries to the status quo. May the Lord help us as we sow diligently in the harvest - during this time of tricks, gimmicks, ministerial hustlers and suspect credentials. As Pastor Rhone always says, let us continue to, "PREACH THE WORD!!!"