The Fourth Day of Lent
Posted on February 21, 2026 by under
Scripture: Proverbs 25:8-22 (NKJV)
25:8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, when your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Devotion
God’s wisdom shows what betrays us and what serves us. Gorging, even on things of this world that are good, can nonetheless make them bad for us. How much more, then, if we embrace what is bad? Whether honey or hospitality, overindulgence brings new problems. False witness may free one from a situation temporarily, but whether you beat, run through, or shoot from afar your neighbor, you will have deprived yourself of whatever good he might otherwise have done to you. Trying to gain a group of supporters when you have a problem with someone, instead of seeking to solve the problem with that person alone, both violates Jesus’ prescription in Matthew 18 and violates common sense (as Luther demonstrates in the Large Catechism, 8th Commandment). Seeking to tarnish another’s reputation destroys your reputation, as well.
Instead, with patience and forbearance, seek your neighbor’s good—even your enemy’s good! Listen to his complaint against your cause, and seek to refresh him by confessing the truth in a way that should come across as truly helpful to him. If such things do not persuade the one you have an issue with, they will persuade others that you have done the right thing, so that your enemy is disabled from further success in attacking you.
Such wisdom works best when your adversary is also wise—when he values humility and sober thought. Thus, Solomon teaches by these principles the sort of humility that desires and finds forgiveness through Christ alone!
Collect: Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
