Proverbs 25:14–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

Posted by Seth on Oct 14, 2009 in Bible Study, Daily Devotions |

Proverbs 25:14–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Proverbs 25:14 wherein we learn to effectively trim and time our words.

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

Perhaps this verse gave rise to the term “windbag,” but whatever the case, it is no surprise to anyone that a lot more talking and promising happens in the world than does the according action. We often associate this practice with politicians, but it’s really a more universal issue if we’re going to be honest. The illustration given is one that is very helpful. We’re asked to picture swelled clouds being blown in that we assume would yield rain. The rushing air is taking on that familiar smell, the temperature drops in refreshing fashion, and a desired shower seems sure to be close at hand. But then, despite all its promises, the darkened sky blows right over. And for a land that counts on that rain for a plentiful growing season and successful harvest, great disappointment follows. Lots of build-up, no results.

Have you ever been in that place where you’re thinking of something good you might do for others and just can’t help but talk about it? It’s great to be looked at as someone who is generous and self-sacrificing, especially when our plans really are to be just that. But when we don’t follow through, we end up looking a lot like that hopeful shower that never delivers. There are occasions that I can think of where I have been the windbag, where I really have had good intentions to bless others but opened my mouth too early in the game. I find myself tempted to be open with others with the weight of information given being greatly in the favor of my good side. It is said that we all want to put our best foot forward in front of others, but does that make it OK in all circumstances? I’m not suggesting that we speak our mind at any given moment, spilling the positive and the negative in equal measure, but simply that we are slower to speak in general. Consider the Proverb given just a couple verses previous: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. In other words, it’s a beautiful thing when someone says the right thing at the right time and what they say shows itself to be something of value.

There is also application here for all who are on the receiving end of promises. It might be that we need to be more active in holding people to their promises, much like Paul did with the Corinthians. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction (1 Corinthians 9:5). But probably even more so, we need to be ready to take words as words and actions as actions, only fully connecting the two when they follow one another. It can sometimes make for difficult planning, but we must stay aware that there are a lot of clouds that never bring rain.

Let us heed the words of Christ our Savior, letting our yeses be yeses and our nos be nos, and trim all of our words down in the meantime.

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