Scripture:
“My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life [worth living] And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you. Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.”—Proverbs 3:1–4 AMP
As I knelt before the King this morning, I knew He was there althoughI felt a little distant from Him. As I was studying this week’s lesson from the book of Acts 18, it referenced scripture in Proverbs.
Proverbs is a book in the Bible which is known for practical Godly wisdom. Wonderful guidance to live a healthy life.
My study referenced Proverbs 3:5-6, but for some reason my attention was drawn to verses 1-4. As I peered to my previously circled and underlined scripture, the Holy Spirit drew me to what concerned Him—the condition of my heart.
For the past year or so, we’ve been living in a mixed-use building, residential on top and commercial on the bottom. Despite our differences, my husband and I make every effort to live in peace with our neighbors. Unfortunately, there is one unreasonable person that we—mainly I—have had to deal with. When we placed our (legal) boundaries, she tries to overstep them. The more I saw her retaliate, the more compassion I had to pray for her soul. Did I get upset? Of course, this behavior frustrates me. But I wasn’t about to lose my peace and play her (the enemy’s) games. So I prayed and praised.
As time progressed, I realized the enemy was using her to get to me. So, I asked my friends to pray for her, for her salvation.As we prayed, the fire got hotter. She and her co-workers slammed doors, had music louder—it was the evidence of “heaping coals” of Truth upon her head.
I guess she got tired or something, because as soon as a particular event happened, the music and door slamming ceased. We didn’t initiate this event, she did. The Holy Spirit was working behind the scenes on our behalf, so that weall could live in peace.
The reason for the temporary, short distancing I felt from my Lord was due to sin. During this event, there was an unjust requirement from the landlord we had to adhere to, and the Lord heard Walt’s and my conversation of this particular event. Basically, the landlord had lied to us.
But it’s not over, until the King says it’s over.We have the victory. Although, we are subject by time, we have to wait for the manifestation of heaven to experience our victory. But victory is already ours.
The Bottom Line:
You see, God saw that truth was in our hearts, but not mercy and kindness. And I won’t find favor and high esteem with God, until I put it all into practice and find it with man (reasonably) first.
My Prayer:
Holy Spirit I thank you for your Word. Thank you for your loving conviction. Thank you for searching my heart so that I could be close to my heavenly Father once again. Please forgive me, as I had agreed with Walt in our conversation that was not pleasing to you. Please cover my words with the blood of Jesus, so that the enemy will not take a foothold and help me to walk in mercy and kindness by cooperating with our landlord, even though he lied to us. You are our avenger. You see and know the hearts of men. I can trust you, that you are working for my good. Thank you for forgiving me and help me to walk in your ways. I love you Lord, Amen.