Week of Monday September 9 – 15
Refreshing Words - Man as Battle Buddy
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
-- Proverbs 25:11-13 ESV
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776
President Abraham Lincoln, who frequently quoted or paraphrased Scripture, used Proverbs 25:11 to describe the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution:
The [Declaration’s] assertion of that principle [“liberty for all”], at that time, was the word, “fitly spoken” which has proved an “apple of gold” to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple; but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple --- not the apple for the picture. So let us act, that neither picture, or apple shall ever be blurred, or bruised or broken.
The liberties set forth in the Declaration of Independence flow from belief in and dependence upon the Creator God described in the Bible. Lincoln saw the Declaration as foundational and the Constitution as functional, intended to frame, protect, and display in law the lofty ideals of the Declaration.
A second story about Lincoln provides another application of these verses from Proverbs 25. According to the Library of Congress, one of the items found in the president’s pockets the night he was assassinated was a brown leather wallet that had some interesting contents: “The wallet held a Confederate five-dollar bill and eight newspaper clippings. The clippings were from papers printed immediately before Lincoln's death, containing complimentary remarks about him written during his campaign for reelection to the Presidency.”
I find it fascinating that one of our nation’s greatest presidents, who faced perhaps the most overwhelming pressures that any sitting U.S. president has ever faced, was prone to carry a few encouraging words in his pocket. Men, every one of us needs a word of encouragement. Just as Solomon said in verse 13: “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
We also need a brother in Christ who knows us well enough to speak truth to us. As Solomon put it in verse 12: “Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” This is why having a Battle Buddy in our lives is imperative!
As we read Solomon’s words reminding us that “a word fitly spoken” can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the life of another, I can’t help but wonder if he had heard his father David speak of memorable conversations he had with his Battle Buddy Jonathan. Men, each of us needs a brother in Christ whom we can trust with our spiritual well-being—a man of God who will encourage and correct you with a pure heart. Men, you need a Battle Buddy, and you need to be a Battle Buddy!
Refreshing Words - Man as Battle Buddy
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
-- Proverbs 25:11-13 ESV
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776
President Abraham Lincoln, who frequently quoted or paraphrased Scripture, used Proverbs 25:11 to describe the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution:
The [Declaration’s] assertion of that principle [“liberty for all”], at that time, was the word, “fitly spoken” which has proved an “apple of gold” to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple; but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple --- not the apple for the picture. So let us act, that neither picture, or apple shall ever be blurred, or bruised or broken.
The liberties set forth in the Declaration of Independence flow from belief in and dependence upon the Creator God described in the Bible. Lincoln saw the Declaration as foundational and the Constitution as functional, intended to frame, protect, and display in law the lofty ideals of the Declaration.
A second story about Lincoln provides another application of these verses from Proverbs 25. According to the Library of Congress, one of the items found in the president’s pockets the night he was assassinated was a brown leather wallet that had some interesting contents: “The wallet held a Confederate five-dollar bill and eight newspaper clippings. The clippings were from papers printed immediately before Lincoln's death, containing complimentary remarks about him written during his campaign for reelection to the Presidency.”
I find it fascinating that one of our nation’s greatest presidents, who faced perhaps the most overwhelming pressures that any sitting U.S. president has ever faced, was prone to carry a few encouraging words in his pocket. Men, every one of us needs a word of encouragement. Just as Solomon said in verse 13: “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
We also need a brother in Christ who knows us well enough to speak truth to us. As Solomon put it in verse 12: “Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” This is why having a Battle Buddy in our lives is imperative!
As we read Solomon’s words reminding us that “a word fitly spoken” can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the life of another, I can’t help but wonder if he had heard his father David speak of memorable conversations he had with his Battle Buddy Jonathan. Men, each of us needs a brother in Christ whom we can trust with our spiritual well-being—a man of God who will encourage and correct you with a pure heart. Men, you need a Battle Buddy, and you need to be a Battle Buddy!
- Do you have a respected man in your life who you could ask to be your Battle Buddy?
- Do you have a guy friend you are encouraging and holding accountable as a Battle Buddy? How can you take that to the next level?
- Ask God to help you connect with and develop a strong spiritual relationship with a Battle Buddy.