The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. ” While the Book of Proverbs is mostly a collection of proverbial statements, or mortal dictates, many times seemingly random in their organization and presentation; nonetheless, in the case of Proverbs chapter 11, there is at least one discernable theme: that of the blessings due to the righteous, as contrasted with the punishments coming to the wicked. Hence, chapter 11 informs us that "The desire of the righteous ends only in good; and the expectation of the wicked ends in wrath." (Proverb 11:23)
In today's verse, that theme is continued. The proverbist tells us that, as we give, we will receive, and as we help others, we really help ourselves. In essence, we are in control of our destinies. We get to choose what comes into our lives by what we send out into the world. We get to decide if we will help others, and we determine the person we will become as we resolve to help others—thereby developing our character and ultimate destiny.
The 19th century British novelist, Charles Reade, noted: "Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow and act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny." Our character, our nature, and even our future is very much in our own hands. Will we give? Will we help? Will we allow this divine pattern to work in our lives, blessing, building, and changing us? It is all for us to decide.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
