Bold as a lion

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

All systems are up and running now : )  My computer and everything is working fine.  I can even import photos with my copyright (huge time saver).  One itsy bitsy problem this week, the cold!  I was all set to get back into my regular routine and sneeze, cough, cough.  I'm better today but still drippy.  Finally decided the best thing to do was get back to work.  Seems like there's always something, life's a challenge.  Last week the faucet decided to spray under the sink instead of into it...  Kind of makes thoughts about God's love and Heaven seem all the more splendid.

Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, 
   but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
This verse reminds me how doing the right things in the first place (however hard), leaves me with a clean conscience and boldness.  There's nothing to hide.  If I'm doing something wrong, I feel ashamed and want to hide.  Even though no one is looking at me... except God.  It's important to note that righteousness to God, is faith.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
   but those who heed it resist them.
To me, this is saying if we listen to the wisdom and instructions in the Bible, we can resist wickedness (although we will stumble at times).  Those who deny God support the wicked.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
   one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Wealth can be a huge distraction.  There's a false sense of security in it. But money doesn't bring true friends or perfect health.  We will all pass away in the end (unless Jesus comes first).  It is better to have enough, lots of friends and good work to keep us busy.     

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
   but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
This is so true.  The world has seen some great leaders, some horrible tyrants, and a few in the middle.  The next election in the USA is very important to us.

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
   but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Oh! I hate it when I have a guilty conscience.  And we all know God sees and knows everything.  So it's much better to confess than hold things inside and try and hide it.  We suffer a lot more than God does, by trying to pretend. 

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed, 
   but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

I believe this is referring to focusing our lives on getting rich.  Stepping over people, telling lies, manipulating, cheating, hurting others to get to the top.  Once that person is at the top, they've left a sea of sharks ready to take them down.  But a faithful person is richly blessed.  One who can earn respect from their co-workers and treat others fairly- makes others proud to work with them.  

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
   but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

It's important to help others out.  When I miss an opportunity, I feel guilty.  God forgives, and it does make me want to try harder the next time.