A Few Proverbs

Often, I read a chapter from Proverbs in the morning. Usually, a single proverb is packed with one simple, profound truth that can be re-phrased with a sentence or two, or illustrated with a short story. The thoughts can linger in our minds through the day.

Here are a few from today's meditation:

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is heaviness - (Proverbs 14:13). We have heard of circus clowns that suffer from depression. They make the crowd laugh, enjoy it only to return to their heaviness. Christ is the answer.

The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous - (Proverbs 14:19). How the evil must hate bowing before the divine good. They deny it, detest it, resist it, contradict it, refuse it - but this stubborn reality persists. It does not bend. Haman hated leading Mordecai around Shushan on the king's horse.

Another point - evil exists because it is contra-good. It cannot stand on its own. It is actually caused. Divine good is uncaused and unconditional. Evil is conditional; therefore, it could never by this attribute supersede the unconditional good. By this logic, there would not be atheism without God. Believing there is not God is possible because of living in the structure of time, space, human consciousness, etc. -- all of which have been made by SOMEONE. Which is greater? The CREATOR or the structure or a part of the structure itself?

Lastly, - The poor is hated of his own neighbor, but the rich hath many friends - (Proverbs 14:20). We can imagine a refugee camp in the third world that is essentially poor. Neighbors may add sorrow to sorrow by not caring for each other. Jealousy, frustration, evil words and attitudes break out. Misery can produce misery. How can the chain be broken?

Christ brings new life and love into the heart. Pastor Scibelli met a young man in such a camp in Ghana. He is now an effective, wise man of God. His name is Pastor Alfred from Liberia.