Listen:
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he is faithful. (Proverbs 3:34)
Reflect:
It’s a scorcher couple of weeks here in Lyon, with “la canicule”. It’s hard to teach when healthcare personnel are tired from working in hot humid conditions, with long hours, fragile residents, and listless sleepless nights.
One pedagogical approach I use to recapture their attention is to commiserate with them: isn’t it terribly hot, how do you cope, do you drink enough even before you’re thirsty?
This reminds me of Jesus asking for water from the Samaritan woman at the well. At high noon, when most choose to draw water during cooler moments, early morning or late evening.
Are you thirsty?
Can you give me a drink?
What’s all this to do with being scornful to the scorners and faithful to the humble, from today’s verse?
Going back to Proverbs 3:1, we read, My child, never forget the things I have taught you. The parent talks to the child, bending down to explain life to a beloved, else, why the extensive advice, today up to verse 34?
God bends down to speak to us too. It sounds like a teaching moment: can a scornful person hear grace from the onset? Or do they need to realise how disdain sounds like in return, before gentler words can be heard? God the wise parent, kind, this is NOT about a bullying attitude, rather, He is maybe speaking into our condition, first.
My child, do you realise you are being scornful? Can you hear what that sounds like?
And if we humble ourselves, and acknowledge, yes Lord, I am thirsty, remember, He is faithful, our wellspring of Life.
Come now, have a life-giving life-sustaining drink.
Prayer of Response:
Father, forgive me when I have been scornful, finding others unworthy of grace. Thank you for the reminder of your faithfulness. Help me to share living water with those around me, and to come myself before you to ask you for a drink. That I may find life-giving life-sustaining water, at your wellspring of Life.
Questions to Ponder:
- What is scratching at my throat at the moment, drawing a scornful attitude? Take time to remember as the Spirit prompts.
- Where do you need humility, closeness to the river, faithfulness today? Take time to show and tell our Father God, He who bends down to listen to us.
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): Lord I am thirsty,
Exhale (Breathe out): Thank you for water-faith.
(Repeat)
—Submitted by: Kae Ting Trouilloud
Kae lives in Lyon, France, and needs daily reminders of God’s faithfulness, to hydrate her life and flow over those around her. She is thankful for family near and far, and for Lifesprings’ ezer community, sources of encouragement and grace.