June 1, 2025 -His Glory is My Good

PROVERBS 17:1-19:29

Chronological Bible Readings

Proverbs 18:14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,

    but a crushed spirit who can bear?

More on contentment. When we suffer sickness whether temporary or long lasting it is difficult to find contentment. The way that we can endure sickness is through the Spirit of God. When we set our sights on the horizon of eternal life and the promise that all earthly suffering and sickness is temporary, we can calm our discontent spirits. In 2 Corinthians 4:17 it says, "Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine." Even if it is a sickness to death that time of suffering is small in light of eternity. I am not saying that you have to like it or that it is easy, but the difficulty is all part of the work that He is doing in us for His glory and our good. Our trust and hope need to be found in Jesus to keep our human spirit focused on eternity otherwise we will be crushed. I know I have a said it and so have many of my friends that we don't know how anyone who does not have a relationship with Jesus can endure the suffering that is out there. In truth no one can.

Proverbs 19:13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,

    and a quarrelsome wife is like

    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

Ugh. My struggle with contentment is in relationships more directly family relationships. Children are always a difficult place to be content, but God has taught me to trust Him in it and I am doing much better. But when it comes to my relationship with my husband I struggle with being a quarrelsome wife. I hope that he would agree with me that I have gotten better but I know that I can be like a Chinese water torture to him at times. And it's not because I doubt that God is in control, I know that He is, but I keep allowing things to irritate me and make me discontent.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

I guess it is because I don't understand why things are done or not done the way they should be. Or at least how I think they should be. I have plans in my heart. Many plans, but I have to be content that the Lord's plans are what is important, and I should want His purpose to prevail.

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;

    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

If I can trust in Him I will be able to rest content, untouched by troubles. Even the trouble that I have no back deck and there are old cars rotting in my yard and that I don't have the kind of spiritual intimacy with my husband that I want. I may not understand why things are the way they are but if I can trust God with everything else I can trust Him with all of this as well. He is working all things out for His glory and my good. Great song from this weekend that summed up so much of this conference.