Friday 23 September 2022

Psalm 65

Background

Moving into chapter 26 of Proverbs we find the writer being critical of those who feel they know it all and also of those who do not exert themselves but prefer the lazy life. Here we have some very critical words: Verse 12 speaks of those who think they know it all and are not afraid to express their thinking, but actually their so-called wisdom is worthless and even the foolish, or those who are wary about expressing opinions, are more true to life.

Turning to the lazy, we are told that they too might feel that they are wise in not getting on and doing things, but in actual fact are equally useless, for unless they share their thinking with others it is of no value at all.

So what do we make of these verses? I am sure many of you will know folk like the first example, people who think they know everything and are unwilling to listen to other opinions. Perhaps we too should be more willing to listen to the opinions of others before a decision is reached. This would, I suggest, lead to a better outcome in the long run.

With regard to the lazy, there's a laziness of spirit which allows and even sometimes expects, others to take up the cudgels to arrive at a solution or to solve a problem. Well I suggest that often such laziness leads the person concerned to grumble if a problem is not resolved in the way they would have wished it to be.

Turning to our understanding of how we should be, as followers of Christ, surely there is no room for arrogance, for thinking that we, and only we, have the right answer to a problem? Neither should there be room for laziness, expecting others to get on with the work so that we can have an easy journey. Surely such things should be put aside and we should all pull together, putting aside our own inclinations so that the work of following Jesus can be done with integrity and in partnership and love for one another. The words of this book in Scripture are often hard words to read, but if we look beyond the text, there is a lesson for each of us, wherever we are in that special journey we are called to undertake.

To Ponder:

• Do we ever need to check our own thinking when we see others doing things differently, and avoid expressing ourselves too forcefully?
• Are we ever lazy in our discipleship, allowing others to get on with the work of bringing  people to Jesus?
• Are we ever lazy in our prayer lives, preferring to get on with things that make us feel comfortable?

Prayer

As we reflect on these words, help us to lose the sense of our own self-worth and seek only to do your will. Help us to follow in the footsteps of the man who called us to follow him, and not to be lazy in doing his will wherever that may lead us and at whatever personal cost. We ask this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.