3:322 – Solomon the Wise

#faithbites #faithjourney solomon

Setting

Some of you may not know, but my full name is Solomon David Roberts-Lieb (born Lieb). And yes, that’s a pretty old testament Jewish name. I share this because I was struggling for a topic for today and googled the verse of the Day. I turned up Proverbs 29:11, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” The first thing that came to me was Solomon was a wise king and means Peaceful One from the Hebrew word “Shalom.” King Solomon was known for being just and wise. The term fool wasn’t applied to him often. I fall short from being like King Solomon.

Lately I have been falling more into the fool camp than the wise man camp. Anger, sadness, frustration, and their friends have been constant companions. God is telling me to not rage but bring calm. Does that mean not to be mad? No. It’s just how we handle that rage and anger.

What camp are you falling into? The Fool or the Wise?

Scripture

• Proverbs 29:11 – Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
• Ecclesiastes 2:14 – The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them.
• Colossians 4:5 – Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Reflection

In just these three verses, we see the qualities of being wise: calm bringer, eyes in your head, walking in wisdom toward outsiders, could use of your time. These are all great qualities to have and ones that we could all use some practice in.

Venting is so easy with social media. I can scream behind the keys of a computer and feel that it has no impact. It might not to me, but I am acting a fool and others see that. I can close my eyes and walk through this world without seeing what is going on and live in my own bubble. But others know what is going on and I’m not helping my brothers and sisters. I can squander my time and it means nothing to me, but that time could be used to help others through acts of compassion.

This all comes down to a choice. Do you want to be a fool or a wise person? Sure we all fluctuate between the two but where do you find yourself the most? If we choose to rage, to be blind, and put in our head in the sand, are we being everything God made us to be?

Tonight, I will try to have a little less rage, a little more compassion, and have my eyes more open to what impact my actions have on those around me.

Challenge

Pick one of the many traits a wise man like Solomon showed us. Can you be more compassionate, less rage full, and walk with your eyes open? Take the next few days, weeks, and months to work on just one trait. You will be surprised by how different you feel.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we often play the fool when we want to be wise. We are challenged daily through sin and folly. Help us to be more like King Solomon. Help us learn to be bringers of peace and calm. When we stray, forgive us. Guide us towards being more like you. In your name, Amen.