Good morning, Samara.
I’m hearing something very disappointing—rain on the roof. I didn’t think it was supposed to be raining today. Hope it’s just a short squirt. I have slated some plans to do a bunch of outdoor sign work—removal of an old crummy sign production that someone else did, reframing it, then install panels to create a 5’x14’ composition. I’ll have to work from ladders, ladder jacks, and a 16’ plank. Then I’ll shift attention over to finishing the installation of a 5’x5’ sign. Then I need to run to another site to install a couple sign panels at a new fast-food business.
I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this. I can’t imagine you having much interest in hearing about my TO DO LIST. I guess it’s easy to release what is fresh in my mind. After all, it’s out of the “abundance of the heart” that people tend to communicate. At least I’m making conversation.
Once again, I notice Mama Becki wearing her walk togs. That can only mean that we will soon be out there to do our old people walk/jog routine. Besides the physical benefit it yields, I sure like being out there enjoying companionship with my favorite long-standing girlfriend.
Have a great day. Love, Tua.
I presume that Solomon was himself a monarch/king at the time of his composing these lines. So he’s speaking of the kind of attitudes, demeanor, and behavior that he likes to see when someone appears before him as the head of all the affairs of his kingdom. He implies that he does not like to give much attention to a strutting boastful big-head. Hmmm. What happens if we expand the word “king” and replace it with “King of kings”? Wow! I think that fits too! After all, when is any one of us NOT in the presence of THE KING OF KINGS?
An important point to make from an overview of Scripture is that God does not much like self-asserting human pride any more than Solomon did. Maybe less. Instead, we are encouraged to be careful with expelling that kind of self-inflating self-deception from our hearts and minds. James offers this instruction: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). To be sure, if you do not humble yourself, who will? You can be sure that life and time will—sooner or later. So it is a lot safer for you to humble yourself before your Maker, before inevitable humiliation does.
Here’s another relevant piece of good advice given by Paul: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3).