The Wisdom Continues

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 26

The proverbs in chapter 26 can feel sharp—almost abrasive at points. They expose folly, warn against laziness, confront deceit, and unmask the destructive power of the tongue. Yet beneath these vivid contrasts lies a quiet, steady truth: God’s love is the moral gravity that keeps life from spinning into chaos. Every warning in this chapter is ultimately an expression of His care.

1. God’s Love Reveals the Nature of Folly (vv. 1–12)

The opening verses describe the fool with almost painful clarity. He resists correction, repeats destructive patterns, and refuses wisdom. At first glance, these verses seem harsh. But look deeper: God names folly because He loves us too much to let us drift into it.

His love is not sentimental; it is protective. It exposes what will harm us. It calls us away from self-deception. It invites humility, the doorway to grace.

Even the strong statement in verse 12—about the danger of being “wise in one’s own eyes”—is a mercy. Pride blinds us to our need for God. Love unmasks the illusion so we can return to Him.

2. God’s Love Calls Us Out of Laziness (vv. 13–16)

The sluggard’s excuses are almost humorous—“There’s a lion in the road!”—but the consequences are not. Laziness slowly erodes purpose, joy, and fruitfulness.

Yet the point is not condemnation. The point is invitation.

God’s love calls us into meaningful, Spirit-empowered labor, the kind that reflects His own creative, sustaining work. He does not shame the weary; He awakens the stagnant. He stirs desire. He restores strength. He teaches us to live with intention rather than drift.

3. God’s Love Exposes the Destructive Power of the Tongue (vv. 17–28)

The final section confronts gossip, quarrels, deceit, and hidden malice. Words can wound deeply, and Proverbs 26 does not minimize that reality. But again, the warnings are rooted in love.

God cares about the integrity of relationships. He cares about the health of communities. He cares about the purity of our hearts.

When He warns against stirring up strife or disguising hatred with smooth speech, He is protecting us from the relational fractures that steal peace and joy. His love is a refining fire that purifies our speech so it becomes life-giving rather than destructive.

4. The Thread of Love Running Through the Chapter

Though Proverbs 26 never mentions the word “love,” the entire chapter is shaped by it. God’s love is:

  • Corrective — steering us away from paths that destroy
  • Formative — shaping character that reflects His wisdom
  • Protective — guarding our hearts and relationships
  • Redemptive — calling us out of folly into life

Every contrast between wisdom and foolishness is an invitation to return to the God who loves us enough to speak truth plainly.

5. A Closing Reflection

Proverbs 26 reminds us that God’s love is not merely comforting; it is transforming. It meets us in our folly, our excuses, our careless words, and our hidden motives—not to condemn, but to heal.

His love is the steady center. His wisdom is the path back home. His correction is a form of grace. His truth is an expression of His heart.

To walk in wisdom is to walk in the warmth of His love, learning to reflect His character in every word, every choice, every relationship.

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Lesson 5: Love

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Don Merritt

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:8-10

In this short passage, Paul is nothing short of profound; deep in fact. Yet it is so simple that we might just fly past it and not notice how profound it is; a second-grade child can easily understand it, and it requires a mature adult to miss it− that is how simple it is.

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

If we think of love as a mere emotion or feeling, maybe we can miss this, but godly love is not an emotion, it is a commitment to put the interests of other people ahead of our own, and love in action puts the interests of everyone ahead of our own. If we actually do this, then we will not do anything to offend or hurt them, and if we love God then we will not do anything to hurt or offend God. We will not do this because somebody told us that we must, we will do this because we want to.

In short, this is the transformation that Paul spoke of in 12:1-2; this is love in action from 12:9-16.

There are times when I grow weary of people telling me that the Bible never tells us how we should accomplish the Christian life; yes, dear reader, I grow weary of such remarks.

Put your love into action!

“But how do I do that?”

Love your neighbor as yourself.

“But that is too hard.”

No, it isn’t too hard! Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength.”

“But how do I do that?”

Make a decision that you love God and then commit to stick with it and trust the Holy Spirit to give you the strength you need.

“But that’s too hard.”

Dear Lord, open our ears that we might hear, open our eyes that we might see, open our hearts that we might believe so that we might become like little children and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Wisdom and Humility

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 25:1-27

Hezekiah was one of the best kings Judah had (2 Kings 18:5,6). 1 Kings 4:32 says that Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs. Since there are not 3,000 in the book of Proverbs, Hezekiah’s scribes (under his direction and by inspiration of God- since their work is included in the Old Testament that the Jews and Jesus accepted) copied the many good sayings found in chapters 25-29. This forms one of several appendixes to this book; other appendixes: 24:23-34; 30: 1-33; 31: 1-31. Hezekiah lived around 270 years after the death of Solomon; the prophet Isaiah was a contemporary of Hezekiah (I1 Kings 19: 1-2), and he likely headed the project. If so, we can see why the material would be included in the Scriptures.

This section of Proverbs gathers a series of sayings that revolve around one central theme: wisdom knows its place. It understands the difference between God’s glory and human limits, between honor and self-promotion, between patience and impulsiveness, between restraint and excess. Each proverb becomes a facet of a single jewel—humility shaped by reverence.

Verses 2–3 set the tone. God’s glory is to conceal, ours is to search. The point isn’t that God hides truth maliciously, but that His wisdom is infinitely higher than ours. Kings—and by extension, all leaders—must search diligently because their understanding is limited. The wise person recognizes this gap and approaches life with humility, curiosity, and dependence on God.

Verses 4–7 warn against self-exaltation. Just as impurities must be removed from silver, pride must be removed from the heart. The one who pushes himself forward will be humbled; the one who waits will be honored—Jesus echoes this principle centuries later. Wisdom refuses to grasp for status.

Verses 8–15 turn to speech. Don’t rush into conflict, don’t betray confidences; don’t exaggerate your case. Words can wound like a sword or refresh like snow in harvest. A gentle tongue can break bones; wisdom speaks with restraint, truth, and timing.

Verses 16–17 use vivid imagery to warn against excess—even in good things. Honey is sweet, but too much makes you sick. Friendship is precious, but overstepping boundaries strains it—wisdom knows when to stop.

Verses 18–23 contrast destructive and constructive speech. False testimony is a weapon, trusting unreliable people is like chewing with a broken tooth; but a timely word, a patient spirit, and quiet perseverance can soften even hardened hearts.

Verses 24–27 close with warnings about contentiousness, secrecy, and self-glory. Living with constant strife drains the soul. Whispered words can inflame conflict. And seeking your own glory is like overeating honey—sweet at first, sickening in the end.

Taken together, these proverbs call us to a life marked by humility, patience, disciplined speech, and self-control. They remind us that wisdom is not loud or demanding; it is steady, quiet, and deeply rooted in the fear of the Lord. It seeks God’s glory, not its own, it builds peace rather than contention. It knows when to speak and when to be silent, and it trusts that honor comes not from grasping, but from walking faithfully before God.

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Lesson 4: Dealing with Government

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Don Merritt

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Romans 13:1-5

Obviously, I haven’t planned very well, for we have arrived at these verses at a moment in time where many of us don’t really want to hear this, at least many of us in the US.

Yet here we are and I’m not going to just skip the section because it’s not entirely convenient.

Paul’s message, simply stated, is that human government is ordained by God, and that’s all I should have to say about it. Yet even though human government is ordained by God, human government exists in a corrupted world environment, and we should not pretend to be shocked when it turns out to be corrupted: It happens. What is really instructive in this teaching is that the government Paul was referring to had a nasty habit of persecuting Paul and his readers; yes, maybe we should reflect on that for a while.

If I had been Paul, I might want to write something quite different on this topic, but if I had, or if he had, then a great disservice would have been done to the Gospel. God did not call us to serve His kingdom so that we could engage in political action, for His Kingdom is not of this world. Instead, He has called us to share the Gospel, to share His love with those who have not yet heard it, to nurture and mentor other, younger Christians to maturity in the faith, not to protest stupid court decisions or corruption in Congress or the White House… or wherever it may exist in your location. I will add that if we did a better job of serving His purpose in a free society, it is quite likely that a very different group of people would be elected to represent us, without our ever needing to bring up politics.

When I teach such self-explanatory texts as this one, this is often where I toss out a question, a rhetorical one of course: When you are driving your car around town, do you observe the speed limit, or do behave as the pagans do?

That one gets a groan from the group every time… or at least a laugh. 

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:6-7

Taxes: Nobody likes taxes, except the ones somebody else must pay. Here in America, we have a horrible tax system, and I will boldly declare that if the entire Tax Code went up for a vote as is, and if it didn’t already exist, no one would vote for it; no one has even read the whole thing, and the people who enforce it don’t entirely understand it, and if you don’t believe me, ask a tax lawyer!

Now ask yourself, how was the tax system Paul lived under? Well… it was horrible as well! Money is not supposed to be our primary concern in this life; our priority is supposed to be on things that are above, so why should the inequities of the tax system be our priority? Paul’s message is to pay them what they want and get on with serving our Lord in peace and love, for that is what we are here for.

Yes, I know… I’m gritting my teeth too, but that only goes to show that we have a long way to go to attain maturity in the faith.

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More Sayings of the Wise

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 24:23-34

This section of Proverbs gathers several sayings that reveal the heart of wisdom in daily life—justice, diligence, and discernment.

Verses 23–25 remind us that integrity must govern judgment. “It is not good to show partiality in judgment.” Wisdom refuses favoritism because truth is not negotiable. When justice is upheld, people rejoice; when it is twisted, society decays. The wise person speaks honestly, even when it costs something, because righteousness builds trust and peace.

Verses 26–29 turn to personal conduct. A straight answer is compared to a kiss on the lips—an image of sincerity and respect. Wisdom values clarity over flattery. The call to prepare your work and establish your field before building your house teaches order and foresight: secure your foundation before seeking comfort. And the warning against revenge—“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me’”—echoes the divine pattern of mercy. Wisdom leaves justice to God.

Finally, verses 30–34 paint a vivid picture of the sluggard’s field—overgrown, broken down, neglected. The scene is not merely agricultural; it is spiritual. Laziness erodes life the way weeds choke a garden. The closing line, “A little sleep, a little slumber… and poverty will come like a robber,” warns that neglect, not catastrophe, often ruins us. Wisdom calls for steady diligence, not frantic striving—faithful attention to what God has entrusted.

Together, these verses remind us that wisdom is not abstract. It is lived in fairness, honesty, preparation, mercy, and perseverance. The wise heart does not drift; it builds, tends, and trusts God to bring fruit from faithful labor.

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Memorial Day 2026

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Don Merritt

Today is Memorial Day in the US, a day set aside to remember all of those who have given their lives in service to their country for the protection of our Freedom. It seems to me that this is also a day for prayer and reflection, and this is my submission for Memorial Day 2026…

Heavenly Father, we thank you today for all the ways in which you have blessed our Nation for the past 250 years. We thank you for our freedoms and our opportunities to live and worship you freely and openly, and we thank you for those brave souls who were willing to give their all to protect those freedoms when it was necessary to do so.

Lord, I also pray today that your righteousness will prevail across our Nation and throughout the world as time moves forward. I pray that we will learn to live according to your ways and that we will learn to settle disputes without resorting to armed conflict. I pray Father that your justice and mercy will prevail in this world, and that the day will soon come when our young people never again need to be called upon to risk their lives, and that the day will quickly come when your will is truly done here on Earth as it is in Heaven, where it is the only will that is done.

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Lesson 3: Concerning Revenge

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Don Merritt

Romans 12:17-21

In 12:1-16 Paul has discussed our response to grace with a series of short statements that stem from the theme of sincere love, but in 17 ff. he seems to focus on one particular subject: Revenge. While the previous section can be said to deal mostly with our relationships within the Body of Christ, this section would seem more (hopefully) to deal with those outside of the Body of Christ. Paul set up his new theme in verse 17:  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Our natural human inclination when we have been harmed or insulted is to strike back, to get even, but that is not the reaction of sincere love, and it has been rendered obsolete by grace.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (12:18). We are not to stir up trouble or carry on in a provocative manner with other people, we should not be tossing insults and unkindness around, nor should we be looking for disputes, for our response to grace makes that kind of living hypocritical. God has forgiven us, He has shown love and mercy to us; do we honor Him by stirring up trouble with other people?

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

Romans 12:19-20

If we are harmed by another, even it is a violent attack; our response is to show God’s mercy and love to the other party, it is not for us to avenge the wrong we have suffered. If avenging or retribution or punishment is required, that is God’s job, and since God has been faithful in dealing with us, He can be counted on to be faithful in the final disposition of our having been wronged. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (12:21).

There, that’s the “official” lesson portion now let’s get real.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2

As we saw when we covered these verses several posts back, this is not empty talk; there are implications in these words. These injunctions require a response to grace, a response that brings about a whole new way of living and thinking, and more than anything else, they require that we trust God like never before. Yes, dear reader, these verses call upon each of us to put it all on the line in faith. I can’t think of anything that puts this new way of life to the test more than being the victim of a violent attack of some sort, for these are the things of nightmares, fear and emotional as well as physical trauma. As though that isn’t enough, here we are called to respond in love to the very one(s) who have caused it all; this is about the most counter-intuitive thing I can think of… but that’s just me.

Paul still has not mentioned the word, but what he is describing is forgiveness.

The reality is that a victim of violence will not move on in life if they cannot find a way to let go of the anger, rage and hurt of their experience and this is not likely to happen if they lust for revenge. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m not sure if I can do this on my own, in fact I doubt it very much.

Grace has a dual purpose. First grace takes our sin away, making it possible to receive the gift of eternal life, and second it provides us with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and it is by the strength and mercy of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome serious traumas of whatever kind in this life, not by our own will. God has given us the path and the resources to travel the path of this life; the only question that remains is that ancient question we all must answer: Will we trust God?

And with that question, we have come full circle; back to the where we began.

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Our Hearts Cry Out!

Posted on May 24, 2026 by Don Merritt

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.

Psalm 84:1-2

These opening verses of Psalm 84 capture a longing that is deeper than emotion—it is the ache of a soul that knows where its true home is. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” is not simply admiration for a sacred building; it is delight in the presence of God Himself. The psalmist isn’t drawn to the architecture of the temple but to the God who dwells there.

When he says, “My soul longs, even faints for the courts of the Lord,” he is describing a desire so strong it feels physical. His whole being—heart and flesh—cries out for the living God. This is worship at its most honest: not duty, not ritual, but hunger. A recognition that nothing else satisfies like God’s nearness.

These verses invite us to examine our own desires. What do our souls long for when life grows quiet? What do we reach for when we feel empty or restless? Psalm 84 reminds us that the deepest rest, the truest joy, and the most enduring strength are found not in circumstances but in communion with God.

Let this longing shape our day. Let it draw each of us toward prayer, toward stillness, toward worship. The God our hearts long for is not distant; He welcomes us into His presence with delight.

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Praising God Today and Every Day

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Don Merritt

I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:1-2

David opens this psalm with a vow, not a feeling. “I will exalt you… I will praise your name forever and ever.” These are deliberate choices of the heart. Before he recounts God’s greatness, before he celebrates God’s works, he commits himself to worship. It’s a reminder that praise is not something we wait to feel—it’s something we choose because God is worthy.

In verse 2, David deepens the commitment: “Every day I will bless you.” Not just on the days when life is smooth. Not only when prayers are answered quickly: Every day. The ordinary days, the heavy days, the days when strength feels thin. Daily praise trains the soul to see God’s goodness even when circumstances shift.

This opening teaches us something essential about a life of faith: worship shapes us. When we exalt God, we lift our eyes above our limits and our worries. When we bless His name daily, we anchor ourselves in His unchanging character. Praise becomes the rhythm that steadies the heart.

Let these verses invite each of us into that same rhythm. Choose to exalt God today—not because everything is perfect, but because He is. Let daily praise become the way we remember who He is and who we are in Him.

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Advice Against Rebellion

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Don Merritt

Saying 30

Fear the Lord and the king, my son,
    and do not join with rebellious officials,
for those two will send sudden destruction on them,
    and who knows what calamities they can bring?

Proverbs 24:21-22

This proverb stands at the intersection of divine and civil authority. The command to fear the Lord and the king reflects the wisdom tradition’s concern for order—recognizing that reverence for God and respect for legitimate governance are both essential to a stable and righteous life. The Hebrew verb yareʾ (“fear”) here implies awe, loyalty, and submission, not terror. It calls for a posture of humility before God and prudence before earthly rulers.

The warning—do not join with those who do otherwise—targets rebellion and instability. In the ancient Near Eastern context, political upheaval often led to violence and ruin. The wise person avoids aligning with agitators who reject both divine and royal authority, because such alliances invite judgment. The phrase “disaster will arise suddenly” underscores the unpredictability and severity of consequences when divine and civil order are violated.

The closing rhetorical question—“who knows the ruin that will come from them both?”—reminds the reader that rebellion provokes both divine wrath and royal reprisal. The “both” likely refers to the Lord and the king acting in tandem to punish disorder. The uncertainty of timing (“who knows?”) amplifies the urgency of obedience and caution.

In theological reflection, this passage teaches that wisdom involves recognizing the boundaries of authority and the dangers of prideful defiance. Reverence for God anchors moral integrity; respect for rightful leadership preserves communal peace. Together, they form a safeguard against the chaos that follows when fear of God and respect for order are abandoned.

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