This week the 2012 election season officially started with the Iowa Caucuses, and when it comes to winning we see that our politicians have a take no prisoners and say whatever you have to attitude. Win at all costs. This is in stark contrast to today’s quote:

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” - Proverbs 3:3 NKJV

Unfortunately, the would-be leaders in our country seem to forsake both mercy and truth in order to get elected. Even more unfortunate is that the voting public buys into it. Let’s pray that God would provide us with leaders that wear mercy and truth around their necks, that have love and integrity written on the tablets of their hearts.

Did you notice today’s quote is a Bible Double?

Related Quotes

Truth Works Far and Lives Long
God is Life, Truth, Light, Love
The World is Waiting to Hear an Authentic Voice
Say What You Mean

The idea of drowning one’s sorrows in a bottle of booze is common in our culture, but who would actually encourage this behavior? Surely you would never find such advice in the Bible, or would you?

“Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” – Bible or Not?

Believe it or not, today’s quote is advice found in the Bible. Shocking? Well, maybe, but only if you take it out of context. Let’s look at the entire passage from Proverbs 31, where King Lemuel is rehearsing the advice given to him by his mother.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.

- Proverbs 31:4-7 NKJV

So, in context, we see that the mother of Lemuel was giving her son advice on how to be a good king.She was setting the bar higher for him, that he would not forget the law of God and that he would not impair his judgment with drink. If he was to be a righteous king, he should lay off the booze. Then she contrasts this desired behavior against those of a lower estate, those not worthy in her eyes to be king.

So the Bible in fact is not giving advice to drink in order to forget misery, but rather giving advice to do the opposite. And the bar continues to be higher for us today as well, seeing that God describes His people as kings.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

- Rev 5:9-10

Be a king (and queen) for God, and stay sober minded.

Ever have someone say “hi” and then ask, “what’s the good word”? Don’t we all like to hear a good word now and again? Yes, we all like to hear good news and be encouraged.

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24

The Bible covers every aspect of human nature we can think of, and this verse from the book of Proverbs not only illustrates the value of encouragement and positive reinforcement, it also does it in a very poetic way. And… it gives me an excuse to put up a picture of Winnie the Pooh – hey, who doesn’t like Pooh?

Honestly, who knows whether or not Winnie the Pooh, in his animated world, reads the Bible or not? But… if he did read the Bible, I absolutely, postively, know that his favorite verse would be Proverbs 16:24 - pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Just ask Christopher Robin!

But on a more serious note, why don’t you give some honey to those around you today? Be encouraging, be comforting, and build up those that need building – and isn’t that all of us?