One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:10, “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.” Do our cities do this? How can we best promote the well-being of the righteous, and how can we encourage others to rejoice at their well-being?

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:9, “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.” We need to avoid the counsel of the godless and pursue the counsel of the ones who have the knowledge of God. This will lead to life and not corruption.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:8, “The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.” We may feel crisis around us while the wicked go on prospering, but either here and now or for eternity these roles will be replaced.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:7, “When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.” When wicked people hope in their money, their hope perishes upon death. When others hope in the wicked person for security, their hope perishes upon the death of that person. May we hope in the only everlasting hope, God alone.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:6, “The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.” Evil desires stand at the root of evil actions, and those desires will enslave us should we give into them. May we be delivered by the grace of God.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:5, “The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.” Our lifestyle paths become self-perpetuating in either righteousness or wickedness. We ask God for grace for the former and freedom from the latter.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:4, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” We can’t rely on anything but Christ and Christ alone. May it be so.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Those who project a double-souled, double-life will end up with destruction. Those who walk in completeness will find life. May we be of those in the latter group.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” When we walk in pride, inevitably we will be exposed as broken and needy. When we acknowledge these truths about ourselves, we will by God’s grace walk in wisdom.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:1, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.” God abhors dishonest economic practices. May we find delight in dealing honestly with others, even at great personal cost to ourselves.