Tiny Devotional for Friday, 09-16-2022

 A great good morning to all my friends and neighbors in Internet Land! And to family members who have dropped by, we have sho’nuff Mexican hot chocolate this morning!

By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6, NASB


This is an ‘after-and-before’ verse. 

I’m addressing ‘before’ first: 
“fear (we could also say ‘healthy respect’) keeps away from evil.” 
I’d like to be able to claim wisdom and goodness as the reason why I’m not killing, stealing, lying, coveting, and so on. The truth is: I’m a pretty incompetent law-breaker. I almost always got caught, and ALWAYS expected the cops at the door; it’s a buzz-kill. That’s really why I stay within the lines.

The ‘after’ part: Emotional and spiritual grittiness mostly results from things that aren’t felonies, just conflicts with others. They occur because one or more parties are acting out of lack of knowledge; fear; lack of consideration; dishonesty; selfishness; competitiveness; or their back/head/stomach hurts, which makes them grumpy; and so on. That’s what introduces most conflict into the home, work place, classroom and sanctuary.

Alas, these really can’t be avoided, because: we aren’t perfect. Even if we don’t WANT to, we will inevitably aggravate, even injure others. 
Moving to a desert island doesn’t seem to be a viable option (though attractive).

Fortunately, this verse identifies two tools for the dilemma: mercy and truth, and these are like the chicken and the egg: which comes first? 

It’s hard to face the truth of your transgression if you have no expectation of mercy, and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to offer mercy if the truth is not acknowledged.

Write that down; repeat it, until you memorize it; keep it with you always.

Peace be on your household.

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