June 23, 2026 - Proverbs 27-31

A couple verses from today’s reading with brief comments.

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth – a stranger, and not your own lips” (27:2).  We all like to be well thought of.  I don’t know if it is a challenge particularly for preachers but it certainly is a challenge.  How many times have I stepped out of the pulpit thinking to myself, “Wow, anyone but I should have been there, today.  What a sorry excuse for a sermon!  What will the people think of me?”  And then, I remember, it was God’s Word that I read, illustrated, explained, and applied.  And God has promised that his Word will not return to him void.  Of course, this does not provide us with license to sloppily handle the Word but there is great encouragement to know that God will always use his Word.  And, sometimes, when the praise seems to us insufficient, we take matters into our own hands; we “toot our own horns.”  Solomon counsels us to let others praise us if there is any praise to be had.  Even more important (especially for the preacher) is to remember that it’s not man’s opinion of us that counts but God’s.  I like the New Living Translation’s paraphrase of Paul’s words:  “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10).  Paul also wrote, “It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. . . . The Master makes that judgment” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).  Always, we should strive, first and foremost, for God’s approval.

And then, our second verse:  “Who can find a capable wife?  She is far more precious than jewels” (31:10).  I found her!

If when this life of labor is ended,

And the reward of the race you have run;

Oh! the sweet rest prepared for faithful

Will be His blest and final, “Well done.”

Oh, when I come to the end of my journey,

Weary of life and the battle is won;

Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,

He'll understand and say, “Well done.”   -- Lucie Eddie Campbell (1949)