Rolling Stones

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 26

Gold Nugget

Verse 27: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.”

Commentary

Today’s “gold nugget”, “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him”, refers to two types of acts. Both rolling a stone and digging a pit makes reference to acts of violence that would be asserted on your enemy. Either trapped by a pit or crushed by a boulder, both would be forms of revenge. The lesson to learn here is the scriptures are warning of acting out revenge. Although these are very violent illustrations, the scriptures are clear that there is emotional and spiritual harm that we inflict on each other that is viewed by God as acts of violence that shed blood. That being said, we will not make it through this life without someone shedding our innocent blood. Again, not necessarily actual blood, but spiritual or emotional harm will befall us that God does see as acts of violence against us. That also being said, rest assured that God does see when people shed our innocent blood. It does not go unnoticed by Him.

The scriptures actually warn that not only will God not defend us if we try and take our vengeance into our own hands, but looking into today’s “gold nugget” we see that our acting out vengeance will actually backfire on us. That being said let us refrain from any form of revenge. Not only is He the only one qualified to defend or avenge us, He doesn’t want us to have place in our heart for doing harm to anyone. If we allow it to reside in us, it will consume us. The stone we roll will crush us and the pit we dig will become our prison. We are better off to allow love to be what fuels, sustains and motivates us. Leave vengeance to God and others to work out. As for us, we will suffer persecution and afflictions without retaliation as any Christian should.

Prayer

Lord, remind us that we don’t have room in our hearts for resentment and revenge. Whoever has hurt us will have to deal with you. Let us take comfort not only in your ability to judge, but also your ability to be merciful to those that have hurt us, just as you have been merciful to us who have hurt others.” Amen

If you are reading this devotional in an e-mail and would like to post a comment, click on this link http://proverbfortoday.org/