Reading:
Proverbs 26:15-28

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (20).

That verse connected with me this morning because of last evening.

I was down.

I know part of it had to do with being sick with the flu several days and still feeling sick and run down. So I was more prone to dreary thoughts. And I got to thinking about the collapse of my calling or “ministry” or whatever. And about the trashing of my good name and standing. That led to struggling again with the talk that helped bring about said collapse and said trashing.

So I read that verse this morning. “Yeah, I know about talebearers!”

But eventually in my reading I got to this verse:

“Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him” (27).

“They’ll get their payback!” Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Then my thoughts took a more noble turn….

“What if I’m still in the trap set for me when the one who set it falls in beside me — what will I say and do? I guess I’ll be there for him in his time of need. Maybe I can encourage him. Maybe I can even help him out of the pit.”

Oh my!

[Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out (Proverbs 26:20)]
from Proverbs 26:20

A little bit more from Proverbs 26: Don’t Let It Get You Down

Reading:
Proverbs 24:13-23

I’ve been “down” before.

Even recently.

Spiritually, emotionally, financially, socially, morally, physically, businesswise-ly — like I say, I’ve been “down” before. (Thankfully, not all at once!)

So why does it keep happening?

Well, I don’t know all the reasons, but one is simple: I keep getting back up.

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief” (16).

By God’s grace, I’ll keep getting back up.

And by God’s grace, my “down” times will become farther and farther apart.

[It is not good to have respect of persons (Proverbs 24:23)]
from Proverbs 24:23

A little bit more from Proverbs 24: Spiritual Honeycomb