Lessons from Life

KEY VERSE: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold.” —Proverbs 22:1

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 22:1-16

AS THOSE WHO have named the name of Christ, we are continually called upon to make choices involving the values of this life on the one hand, and the good name and loving favor of our Lord and bridegroom on the other. The choices should not be difficult.

Our pastor wrote: “How many have built their hopes upon earthly things only to find them but illusive bubbles, mocking delusions, leaving the heart at last broken, crushed, and barren! The treasures of wealth, fame, social distinction, of houses and lands, of friends and home and family, of power and influence, are subject to change and decay! And if the heart be centered in them, they are liable in a moment to be swept away, leaving the tie desolate.

“The wealth, laboriously gathered and husbanded with great care, may vanish in a night. The fame so dearly won may change to censure and reproach at the caprice of fickle public sentiment. The social prestige which bade you to the uppermost seats may a little later relegate you to the lowest seat, and your name cast out as evil, and you be ostracized. Houses and lands and carefully hoarded belongings may disappear under the sheriff’s hammer. Friends long trusted may suddenly grow cold and turn their backs upon you, and even become your enemies. The home you love must some time break up, the family be scattered or invaded by death. The love that glows upon the home altar may flicker and become dim or extinct. How many have found the high hopes of youth and early life turn to ashes in a few short years or months.”

Represented in the name of Christ and his loving favor to his bride are all the treasures of heaven! The pastor continued: “The very chiefest of all treasures is the personal love and friendship of God and of Christ. Jesus becomes to us ‘the fairest among ten thousand, the one altogether lovely’. He is an unfailing refuge in every time of need, our daily joy and solace.

“When we have gained this treasure, we have gained the one who never changes, one whose love never grows cold, one from whom nothing can separate us—‘neither death’, which to his loved ones will now mean our blessed ‘change’; ‘nor life’, which means further opportunities for suffering with him that we may also share his glory, and which permits further works of loving service for him whom we love; ‘nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers’, for these cannot harm us who are sheltered in Christ; ‘nor things present, nor things to come’, for ‘all things shall work together for our good’, and in every trial he will direct the issue that we may be able to bear it; ‘nor height’ of temporary exaltation; ‘nor depth’ of trouble or sorrow, for our refuge and strength is ever near; ‘nor any other thing’ In creation, for he has promised to ‘keep the feet of his saints’, and that nothing shall touch them as New Creatures in Christ, and that his presence shall be with them wherever they may be.—Rom. 8:35-39; I Sam. 2:9; Luke 10:19; Exod. 33:14

“Nor will any other creatures in heaven or in earth receive such marks of special favor as are and ever will be the portion of the beloved bride of Christ. Although the whole family in heaven and in earth will be blessed through him, his wife—cooperating with him in his work—will alone be his companion, his confidante, his treasure. Hear the Lord’s exhortation to the bride class: ‘Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear. Forget also thine own people and thy father’s house [the ambitions, hopes, and alms of the children of Adam]; so shall the King [Jehovah’s Anointed] greatly desire thy beauty [beauty of character, of heart-loyalty]; for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him’. (Ps. 45:10,11; Cant. 4) How unworthy we feel of so great honor and love from our beloved Bridegroom! And no wonder! When we look at all our imperfections, it seems that there is little in us to call forth such love and admiration. To think that the angels with all their purity and faithfulness should have been passed by; and that we poor, blemished mortals, should be chosen instead! Is there not some mistake? Ah, no! We have the infallible words of inspiration to assure us that it is even so.”—Excerpts from the Reprints

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