Trivia:
Way to go everyone you were all absolutely right. It was M&M's. Now, for another question. What brought about the tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe? Is it just an excuse to kiss, OR was it a tradition brought into existence to encourage expressing kind wishes by a peck on the cheek, or was it was a tradition which was believed to restore fertility. Make a guess and we'll fill in the facts tomorrow.
By the way Do you know why Santa is so good in Karate? Well of course it is because he wears a black belt. Ho. ho, Ha, ha. Oh well.
Challenge:
Ecclesiastes 10:4 "If your boss is angry at you, don't quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes."
You may be wondering just what is the concept behind this advice? There are several bits of advice that Solomon leaves for us in this verse.
Don't allow your temper to get the best of you, rather be humble
A submissive attitude is always preferable, whether due to a mistake, or due to your bosses
In this instructional principle, we are encouraged to take a position of humility and appeasement. Even when the error is misrepresented. As believers we are to strive to be reasonable and submissive to those in authority over us. This is due to several facts, we may have made a mistake, or that we may have put our boss in a bad light.
We are encouraged to be submissive because this is the example that Christ took in His lifetime on the earth. He only responded in an adverse way when He was addressing the evil position of leaders toward others (his children), not himself. In the coming later verses we will see additional counsel in the verse 20 ahead.
We were reminded of this fact of remaining humble in every circumstance. In the story of Nabal, Abigail, David and his army , where David's army had protected Nabal and his herds from evil people who had tried to steal from his flocks. (3,000 sheep & 1,000 goats) David asked for a his left over provisions to be given as an expression of appreciation for David's protection. David in verse 6 expressed his blessings and good will on Nabal along with a request for Nabal to share his leftovers, rather than let these food items spoil in the field and on the way back to his home. Nabal then rather than sharing with David and his army what was going to spoil anyway, rudely in verse 11 by saying to his 10 young men that "they were a band of outlaws", insulting them and more importantly David.
His words were insulting to David, his army, but more importantly to his nation of Israel. David was respecting King Saul by staying in the field to honor Saul, though Saul had attempted to kill David while serving the nation, many times. Now, back to our story.
Nabal which by the way his name meant "fool" acted in a foolish, insulting manner, when all of this is true while David had protected Nabal from the loss of mauraders who would had attempted to steal far more sheep than David was requesting.
Now, we see God's response for this evil man, towards David and his submissive wife. Later the next day, upon hearing of Abigails response of humility and recompense, he became so angry with her, that he had a stroke and died ten days later. In verse 38 it tells us that Nabal as a result of his outrage was paralyzed and in this verse says, "the Lord struck him, and he died."
This lesson is an illustration of why our response should be one of humility, even if we are wronged by others including our boss. Jesus set this example, even in His death by crucixion, which was unlawful as a roman citizen. He allowed this in order to fulfill God's desire for cleansing of all who receive His death for the sins of the world. Was it fair, right, or deserved? No! But it was necessary for our redemption. In the same way our humbling of ourselves is necessary for others to experience an example of God's son humbling himself for our sins.
SO GO WITH GOD for He knows the benefit of this demeanor towards Christ's message to all of men. When we are faced with times of prideful responses, be cautious to listen to the voice of His Spirit in these times. Be humble, and submissive and His name will be lifted up before those who are listening and waiting to see the response of God through our lives.
Express kind wishes