Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Proverbs 31:3-7)
The last chapter of Proverbs is an two-part conclusion to the wisdom that Solomon (and others) collected and transmitted for us. The second part on the virtuous women is well known; but this first section has some strong words to say to us about those in authority and their behavior. Whether they are men, princes, kings, leaders or judges; they are warned not to pervert their integrity, their standing or their authority which ultimately comes from GOD. They are not to surrender to the other gender, or those not in authority, or to anything which renders them incapable of doing what GOD has directed them to do. The result if they do is misery, poverty and destruction. And if we don't see it in this life, they will see it in the next.
GOD warns everyone, no matter what level of authority we exercise, that we are to do right and live in accordance with His law and His justice; and when we fail (and we all do) that He will recompense accordingly.
All of us have sinned against GOD and come short of His Glory. We are all sinners. If we stopped there, we would be like the dying in this warning; drinking our sorrows away is our only hope. But the GOOD NEWS is that GOD doesn't want our destruction, He wants us to live and have a relationship restored with Him. Jesus Christ, the GOD-Man who is GOD the Son made flesh; came to this earth as a man and put to death the flesh that we might have life, today and abundant. A full, restored, godly life that He lives out in us through His grace and His Spirit.
No matter where GOD has put you, or what authority you have; GOD wants you to use it for Him and His Glory. Live for Him and Praise Him today.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
GOD warns everyone, no matter what level of authority we exercise, that we are to do right and live in accordance with His law and His justice; and when we fail (and we all do) that He will recompense accordingly.
All of us have sinned against GOD and come short of His Glory. We are all sinners. If we stopped there, we would be like the dying in this warning; drinking our sorrows away is our only hope. But the GOOD NEWS is that GOD doesn't want our destruction, He wants us to live and have a relationship restored with Him. Jesus Christ, the GOD-Man who is GOD the Son made flesh; came to this earth as a man and put to death the flesh that we might have life, today and abundant. A full, restored, godly life that He lives out in us through His grace and His Spirit.
No matter where GOD has put you, or what authority you have; GOD wants you to use it for Him and His Glory. Live for Him and Praise Him today.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
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