More Than Skin Deep - The One Year Daily Wisdom
More Than Skin Deep
Read Proverbs 3
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
Proverbs 3:3
What connection can we find between loyalty and kindness that would cause them to be the subject of Solomon’s solemn thought? They are qualities that require both internal (heart) and external (necklace) evidence in order to be true. Loyalty and kindness may be faked—for a while. The context indicates that Solomon was thinking of character traits that create a solid relationship between a person and God as well as between that person and others. The very next proverb says, “Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation” (Proverbs 3:4). A good way to remember the principle of this proverb relies on a version of an old saying: “When it comes to loyalty and kindness, you may be able to fool people part of the time, but you will fool God none of the time.”
The phrase “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you” also deserves attention. Neither kindness nor loyalty fits as an automatic or permanent trait. They are hard won and easily lost. Both require continual practice with people and before God.
A WORD FOR TODAY
Keep a promise.
Dear Lord, help me see the opportunities you offer me to keep loyalty and kindness fresh in my life today.
