MERCY AND TRUTH
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favour and high esteem In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
The book of Proverbs gives us practical guides for relating to both God and our neighbours. Our passage for today deals with our relationships. It highlights two attributes that must not forsake us. They are mercy and truth.
• Mercy: refers to the kind of love we have for people that makes us loyal and faithful. Those who have this attribute are committed to the obligations they have towards others. Therefore, mercy in this passage is not about showing pity on a person because he is weak and helpless. Instead, it is about being kind to people because that is what you have to do.
• Truth: refers to being firm and trustworthy in our relationships and transactions. The passage urges us to bind loyalty and trustworthiness around our necks and write them on our hearts.
Everything we achieve in life will be linked to our relationships. No one achieves anything worthwhile all by themselves. To have a fruitful year, we must build dependable relationships on all levels.
Having favour and high esteem before God and man. That is the benefit of building trusting relationships; we enjoy God’s goodwill. People will value us and go out of their way to extend courtesies when they count us as trustworthy and faithful.
• Appreciate what people do for you. We must not take the kindness that is shown us as nothing. When someone goes out of their way to do something nice for you, look for an opportunity to do something nice for them.
• Keep your word to people. It is not always easy to keep promises. After we make a promise, conditions may change to make it challenging to keep our word. Do all you can to redeem your pledges. That is the way to find favour with God and man.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are faithful and dependable. Help me to be a reliable and trustworthy person in all my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
