THE ROLLING STONE
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 26
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Abu Badd is a rolling stone used as a fortified door of a Byzantine monastery from an old village in Jordan. It is now on display on Mount Nebo in Jordan, the mountain top from which Moses viewed the Promised land. My son David Reynold Mainse must have set his camera on the tripod, put it on a timer, and walked over into the shot. Thanks Reyn for great photos.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Proverbs 26:20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
In the margins of the New King James Version, The Open Bible Expanded Edition, there are comments on our key verse and the two verses following it. It indicates that “talebearer” could have been translated “gossip.” Proverbs 26:22 reads, “The words of a talebearer [gossip] are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” Again the NKJV notes that gossip goes, and here is the literal translation, into “rooms of the belly.”
Proverbs 26:27b presents a dramatic word picture, “He who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” This is in the context of talebearing or gossip. It talks of “fervent lips with a wicked heart” (26:23a). Just imagine pushing the stone pictured above and having it roll back to crush the person trying to hold the weight of false words.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that You will enable me to watch my words carefully lest they, like a stone, roll back on me. You’ve given me words here in Proverbs which produce life and not death. May my entire vocabulary be influenced by the “Wisdom” I am reading daily. I pray this in the Name of “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Today’s blog has me thinking of the rock group, The Rolling Stones. Through the years those Stones have rolled over millions of people, the lyrics of their songs leaving a lasting impression on young people particularly. Consider these lyrics: “I can’t get no satisfaction…’cause I try and I try and I try and I try. I Can’t get no…I can’t get no…satisfaction.” My answer? TRY JESUS. He’s the only One who truly satisfies!
Speaking of “rolling stones,” Bruce Stacey has created a great animated children’s production “Rez, the Rock that Rolled” (click here for a preview). I plan to put this powerful animated message on my laptop and show it to children, God willing, whenever I get a chance. Here is a link to where you can find it online.
Yours for the Rock that doesn’t roll, “The Rock of Ages,” a solid foundation for our lives,
David
I’ve just read your prayer request from yesterday, Sah, and am praying for you. I think we have all known the pain of being misunderstood. Jesus Himself certainly did. May the Lord bless and fill you to overflowing with His Spirit of joy, love, peace and power! And may each one of us be abundantly blessed with wisdom, love, discernment and grace, in responding to and communicating with those around us each day, particularly with the people who don’t know Christ. This is such a difficult season for so many. Dear Lord, please use each one of us this Christmas, to show the way to lost and broken, hurting souls, to be the light You want us to be to those around us, and to freely share You – the greatest, most wonderful and perfect gift of all time.
Well said, Deanna, I am agreeing with everything you said.
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
On-the-nose,Deanna.I think we all understand and agree with you.Thank you.Praying for Ann as well.
Amen
Great picture Reynold, thanks
Yes, so true “whoever digs a pit, will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will fall back on them” Proverb 26:27
Amen Deanna
Dear Lord, thank You again for the Truth of your Word. As the Psalms tell us, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” As David said, “How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!” Thank You so much, Lord, for these men and women of God – your children, Lord! – who surround us as your faithful witnesses! Please bless and strengthen all your people today, Lord. Help each one know they are precious in your sight, and give each one the grace to keep their focus on You. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen!
Amen,Rob.
Amen
Amen
Amen Rob
Here’s a better understanding of the biblical use of “folly” and “fool”.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/fool-folly/
Amen Deanna, Rob, Eleanor and William. Lord direct us to hurting souls, in Jesus name, Amen! We have all been there Sah and the best thing to do is pray.