Intelligence Outranks Muscle
The wise writer of Proverbs 24:5 offers these words, as paraphrased by Peterson: It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. “Really?” we ask. “But our world is so terribly impressed with the old push and shove.” Not so fast, the wise writer offers, and so we must pause and ask ourselves with some honestly: “Am I prone to flex my muscle so as to get my way, or do I employ a wise and loving spirit so that God Almighty may work through me?”
How Are You Living?
Chapter thirty-one of 1 Samuel drips with human tragedy. King Saul–Israel’s first royal ruler–dies an ignoble and distubring death. Upon his shocking demise the armies under his command hurl aside their weapons and flee from the battlefront. The Philistine soldiers–longtime enemies of the nation of Israel–sweep in and take over the villages. All seems lost. The king is dead. The enemy is gloating. Surely there could have been a better ending to the reign of Israel’s first monarch.
Think about this carefully. King Saul had everything a man could want, and his story was one that captivated a hungry nation. He had power and prestige. He was remarkably handsome and agile. He was wealthy, and enjoyed broad associations that were no doubt the envy of many. King Saul had a large, successful family; numerous servants and subordinates; lifelong comrades who would do anything in the world for him; and a horde of challenges that make the word “intrigue” seem inadequate. Among his acquaintances were many godly men who advised him regarding his leadership. He was a rancher’s son whose early humility and hard work invited the watchful eye of many.
But over the course of time King Saul forgot his roots and God’s riches. As his power grew so did his ego, and despite the constant pleading of stout folk like the old prophet Samuel or his own son, Prince Jonathan, King Saul refused to let God be in charge of King Saul. Thus, in the end, he died a disastrous death that left a nation heartbroken and frightened.
If someone were penning the final chapter of your life, what would they write? Would it contain a string of affirmations from those who have known you well? Would it be filled with the contributions you have made as a person of integrity and steadfast lovingkindness? Would those who read it discover that through the unending grace of God you overcame life’s difficulties?
Or, might it indicate that you were bitter and proud? Perhaps it would be filled with all of the “what ifs” that tend to clutter our existence. Maybe there would be a line of folk who wanted to love you and be loved in return, but were left empty-handed and without hope.
When it is all said and done, how we end in this world is going to be greatly proportional to how we have lived in this world. How are you living? God Almighty has given you and me so much. Indeed, we are a very blessed people–very rich because of His steadfast grace. Should we not, therefore, live and die in such a way that our final chapter will bring honor to His great and glorious name?