May 24th - Right Relationships

Right Relationships

(Proverbs 1:8-9;

3:25-26;

10:1;

11:22, 29;

12:4, 26;

13:12, 17, 19-20;

14:1, 7, 28, 32, 35;

15:20;

16:10, 12-15, 17, 31;

17:2, 6-7, 11, 17, 21;

18:22, 24;

19:12-14, 26;

20:2, 8, 20, 26-28;

21:1, 9, 19;

22:1, 3, 5, 11, 13;

23:1-3, 17-18, 22-25;

24:1-2, 10, 21-22;

25:2-7, 9-10, 13, 24:

26:13;

27:8-10, 12, 15-16;

28:1-3, 15-16, 24;

29:4, 12, 14, 24)

No Finer Friend

Artist Unknown

Our Bible readings in Proverbs today, penned primarily by King Solomon of Israel, point out positives and negatives in interpersonal relationships. These sections deal with right and wrong standing in family, social and governmental relationships.

Each one of us likely holds many relational titles – sons or daughters, brothers or sisters, employees or employers, leaders or followers – or even many combinations of such roles.

Let’s consider the variety of responsibilities the Lord has given us within these areas of influence within our personal and professional lives. How many relational responsibilities do you carry? How many can you find in this word-search puzzle? Can you think of any other relationships in your own life? How might the Lord be glorified in these?

Right Relationships

A Q V I T G T M F W X I F H X X F C A O

J M U P C F A T H E R X O N T R C M V Z

V N J A U R P N S G M N G K Y G N I N V

H Y P A R T N E R A O F L V R R O I R U

H U H I T R C R E R T J L T A K F R G S

D N A T S R E D N U H Y V C N N M E L X

R G I X N I E L P O E P D E T A T L E X

E L N O I G D I S C R E T I O N V U Y H

P M S W Z H E H N O I T A T U P E R L S

L L T I G T A C C O M P L I C E T R E U

E K L S S E V D L F E E G S G N I K A S

H N V D R O L N C A P C S D E Y H E D P

Q F P O P U L A T I O N N S T I F V E R

Z B C M Q S B R O T H E R I E G L O R Y

A E K F H Z N G O H I D L G R N H L Y V

H R G T K R I N Z R O I U I V P G O A T

D R L U B Z W I F E M F R W Q V P E K V

G K V F L H Y N U U E N E I G H B O R Q

D R N G B Q L I H R Q O W Y E A Y H R D

F D F U T U R E J O I C E M D B E X O C

ACCOMPLICE

ALLIES

BROTHER

CHILDREN

CONFIDENCE

COURAGE

DISCRETION

FAITH

FATHER

FRIEND

FUTURE

GLORY

GRANDCHILD

HELPER

HONOR

HOPE

HUMILITY

INSTRUCT

KINGS

LEADER

LORD

LOVE

MARRIAGE

MESSENGER

MOTHER

NEIGHBOR

PARENT

PARTNER

PEOPLE

POPULATION

PRINCE

QUARRELSOME

REFUGE

REJOICE

REPUTATION

RIGHTEOUS

RULER

SENTRY

SERVANT

SON

TYRANT

UNDERSTAND

WIFE

WISDOM

Personalizing the Proverbs

Which particular Proverbs from today’s Scripture reading has the Lord laid upon your own heart today?

Here are two verses that He impressed upon my spirit. Maybe you are pondering these as well . . . or others.

“The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord;

He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

(Proverbs 21:1, NIV)

What a wonderful promise – and a reminder to pray for governmental authorities, whether we agree with their politics or not. God rules.

“A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.”

(Proverbs 17:17, NIV)

How fortunate I am to have such friends. Surely, anyone who can claim even one or two friends with such loyalty and commitment is truly blessed. Does not our Lord Jesus Himself model such friendship, as He offered His own life in the ultimate adversity for us?

May God guide our relationships – at home, at work and in our homelands – as we look to Him.

Will you pray with me?

Great God,

You are everything to us.

Our Father,

Our Brother

Our Comforter

And King.

You are the Good Shepherd

And our forever Friend.

We adore You.

Guide our relationships.

Lead us to honor You.

Amen.