Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Third Day of Lent

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Proverbs 6:12-19 (NKJV)
 
6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth;
 
13 He winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers;
 
14 Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord.
 
15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
 
16 These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
 
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
 
18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
 
19 a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
 
Devotion
 
In the wisdom writings that compose the book of Proverbs we hear divine guidance in numerous aspects of daily life. We also see the godly pursuit of faithful living by God’s rules and statutes, graciously delivered to His children through the holy Scriptures. In the verses from this book appointed for this day we are introduced to the divine judgment meted out to those who engage in character assassination and who sow discord. We are also warned to avoid harming our fellow men in any way exemplified by seven offenses which are an abomination to the Lord. While there are seven items listed, the literary practice of using sequential numbers to present a listing in writings do not intend to imply that these seven compile the entire list of offenses the Lord finds abominable. What this readily recognized literary pattern or practice does demonstrate is that the Lord finds deceitfulness an unacceptable behavior among His chosen, for all the items listed represent some form of deceit. The message divinely delivered through this text is that deceit will be met with severe condemnation from the Lord Almighty’s righteous judgment.
 
Instead, let us cling to Christ Jesus, who is our truth and righteousness. In Him we love others and speak that which is good and right, so that He may be glorified in all our words and actions.
 
Prayer: O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our prayers and, having set us free from the bonds of sin, defend us from all evil; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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