After reading the 22nd chapter of the Book of Proverbs, I was struck by the beauty and power of a few verses. When I discovered these precious thoughts, I decided to wait until I owned them fully. Anyone who desires them can do so. How do I own precious pearls of truth and wisdom in the Bible? I ask the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to give me the grace to lead a life possessed by the truth. Hence, I would ponder on these precious truths until they became part of my nature, character, and mindset.
We will have to work at hearing and hearing again and seek to understand what the Lord has wanted us to receive from these verses. We are certain that the more we dig, the more we dig deeper, the more we will discover. What applies to digging for gold certainly applies to these verses.
But instead of digging, we need to ask and find from the Lord what He intends to share with us from these verses. The Holy Spirit will reveal these to us.
The more we ponder about it, the more the Lord will start to reveal more to us. God is very gracious. The Holy Spirit is our counsellor to give us wisdom and understanding.
First we read the two verses – which are great keys for having kings and very significant people as friends to interact with them. Given below is the 29th verse from Proverbs 22 – from a few versions of the Bible. Read them and get to understand the various dimensions in which you can improve your diligence and your skills. Start searching and writing and keep practicing these skills with diligence until you own them and until these thoughts become your default mind set!
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (version KJV)
Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.(version AMPC)
Do you see a man who [a]excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before [b]unknown men. (version NKJV)
Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people. (version NLT)
The second key to having kings and very significant people in God’s eyes as friends. The verse speaks about purity in hearts and speaking with grace, words of grace. Here is Proverbs 22:11 from multiple versions of the Bible. When you want your muscles to improve, you go to the gym to practice regularly. As an athlete training for running races, you intentionally run more. Thus seek and intentionally desire purity, practice speaking with grace. Keep checking yourself when you fall below the standard. And you will be empowered to reach the levels the Lord desires in you. It’s an earnest desire that you should seek to pursue.
He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. (version NKJV)
Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. (version NLT)
He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend. (version AMP)
Here is another verse which I desired. Here is Proverbs 22:1 from a few versions of the Bible
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.(version NKJV)
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.(version NLT)
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.(version AMP)
Here is Proverbs 22:4 from a couple of versions of the Bible. I was fascinated by the dimensions and possibilities of this truth.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.(version NKJV)
True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.(version NLT)
The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LORD Is riches, honor, and life.(version AMP)
