Reading
SAA Notes
Recognizing what’s wrong with your own behaviour is the first step to changing it. The second is accepting that such behaviour is stupid. These proverbs therefore use humour to make their point – on laziness, “I was only joking”, gossip, hypocrisy, malice, etc.
SJA Notes
* Almighty God, You see the truth of our hearts – please forgive us and save us today!
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another,”
This proverb holds great importance for us God’s people today.
It is not about being argumentative of hyper-critical. We are not to harangue each other into submissions of our own wills.
Healthy discussion, rebuke, encouragement and meditating on what is said – This is what is good.
In Hebrews 10 we read,
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see4 the Day drawing near.”
We are blessed by God with the preaching of His word, sharpening us as we hear from the pulpit each Sabbath, as well as the preaching we do through our daily lives – Speaking God’s word to one another.
In Colossians 4, Paul says,
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasons with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
The element of grace is a powerful aspect of us sharpening one another.
Undergirding all our own work though is the sharpening and refining that God enacts, often through our own broken attempts.
From Romans 8,
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
We have the best of helpers who continues to make us better!
* Father God,
Please may we be sharpened and refined by Your word today, Your word being written on our hearts by You in the Person of the Spirit.
Thank You for Your love for us. That while we were still sinners, You in the Person of the Son, Jesus, the Lord’s Christ – You died for us.
Amen.