Dr H Reflections

Desires of the heart ∙

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. – Psalms 37:4

Psalms 20:4 May He grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.

What are desires? More particularly, what are the desires of the heart?

A desire is something that people want or think they need. Desires are our wants or seeming “must-haves.” Imagine a toddler in the checkout line of a supermarket, relentlessly repeating its demands to its poor, harried mom. Their insistence essentially boils down to, “I want what I want when I want it. And you don’t care what it does to the rest of us.” (Betty Draper, Mad Men)

Often, people equate human “desire” to an intense, heartfelt longing or craving. These fervent desires could be likened to what the apostle John refers to as the lust of the flesh and the eyes.

1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.

At first glance, such an understanding seems plausible. Many people simply stop at that point without digging deeper. However, additional investigation and reflection yield a deeper, more significant understanding when the superficial layers are peeled away.

So, what are the desires of the heart? They are essentially “What we crave the most” (UBS). Our Father promises to give us what our “heart desires.”

Luke 11:13 If sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

The Hebrew word translated as desire is mishalah. Mishalah is also translated as a request or petition. It is derived from the Hebrew verb sha’al, typically translated as ask, inquire, or desire.

Could it be that the desires of our hearts are transformed into action through our prayers in the form of our requests and petitions? In this case, our heart desires are not selfish cravings. Instead, they are our supplications, made known to the Father through prayer. The phrase “he will give you your heart’s desires” could be translated as “he will give you what you desire most” (NET). The Hebrew literally reads, “he will grant to you the requests of your heart.”

Desires of the heart originate deep within our renewed spirits. Our prayers express our innermost desires. When we pray, and the Father responds and answers, He grants the desires of our hearts.

Further, over time, a remarkable transformation takes place. Our hearts begin to desire what the Father desires for us, and our longings align with the Father’s.

Most often, the Scriptures mean what they say. They make common sense. However, in this instance, the Scriptures imply something more profound than what is communicated at face value.

Psalms 37:4 promises that the desires of the heart will be realized as we delight in the Lord.

The context and flow of the Psalm help unlock its meaning. This is where it gets interesting. The Psalm begins with an appeal.

We are advised not to fret over the wicked or envy those who engage in wrongdoing.

Psalms 37:1 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.

Those who commit wrongdoings and act wickedly often prosper. How should we react? David shows the way and guides us towards an appropriate response. He is calm, peaceful, faithful, and does not fret or get upset. Despite the seeming paradox of the circumstances, he exhibits a serene, unshakable confidence.

The Hebrew word translated as fret or worry is tithhar. Tithhar comes from the Hebrew verb charah, which means to become hot, burn, angry, excited, or irritated. Therefore, we’re advised not to fume and succumb to anxiety when witnessing the success of the wicked.

Rather than focusing on wrongdoers and seething with anger, the children of the King should focus on the Father. Regrettably, being obsessed with enemies and rivals cannot be easily eradicated with a simple flip of an on-off switch. Instead, these preoccupations act more like a dimmer switch that can be slowly turned up or down. In the process, we shift our focus to the Father.

We’re encouraged to place our trust in Him (37:3), take delight in Him (37:4), commit our way to Him (37:5), be still before, and wait patiently for Him (37:7). We are to do good (37:3), acting out of justice and righteousness (UBS).

The Hebrew word for delight is anog. Anog means to be soft, delicate, or dainty. It came to mean to take pleasure in, take comfort, or enjoy. It even has the sense of pampering. We delight ourselves in the Lord and pamper ourselves by finding comfort, joy, and pleasure in Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Pamper yourself! Delight yourself in the Lord.

Father thank You for providing a better way to react to sources of irritation. Encourage me to delight in You.

INSIGHT

It is way too easy to respond with anger or jealousy to the success of the wicked. There is a right way and a wrong way. David models a better way (Psalms 37:1-9). “The alternative to anger is to surrender and trust what the LORD has in store” (James H. Waltner). The right way is summarized in one phrase: “Take delight in the LORD.”

As children of the King, when we face sources of irritation, we can choose a better way to react: delighting ourselves in the Lord. David provides sound reasoning for his response. He explains that the prosperity of wrongdoers is often a reality. But it is fleeting and temporary.

Psalms 37:2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

He uses two examples from everyday life: grass that dries up and spring flowers that wither under the hot sun. “It is a figure of temporary success and prosperity quickly ended by harsh conditions” (UBS). In contemporary English, we would say they are “here today, gone tomorrow.”

When wrongdoers are successful, it can provoke negative feelings within us, such as resentment, anger, or jealousy. These negative emotions take our eyes off the Father and fix them on the source of irritation.

Stanley outlines strategies to evade adverse feelings and cultivate positive reactions. First, we need to acknowledge and admit our negative emotions. Secondly, we should express gratitude for the achievements of others and pray to the Father to instill love in our hearts for them. Thirdly, we must keep our attention solely on the Father. We should find joy in Him, knowing He has pledged to fulfill the desires of our hearts. Our primary focus should be on what He’s done for us and the promises He has made to us through His Word. It’s crucial to remember that the Father is God and has the right to bless each of us in the way He sees fit (Stanley).

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Self-sacrifice ∙∙

Self-sacrifice ∙∙

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13

Romans 5:6-10

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

10 For since the death of his Son restored our friendship with God while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

Albrecht Durer created the renowned ink and pencil sketch “Praying Hands” in 1508. The drawing is simple yet meticulous, depicting solely the hands of a praying man with the rest of his body hidden from view.

However, the story behind this artwork is particularly poignant, heartwarming, and inspiring. It tells a tale of familial affection, selflessness, respect, and devotion, narrated in J. Greenwald’s most famous account.

Albrecht Durer Sr., a goldsmith and father to 18 children, would labor for nearly 18 hours daily to provide for his family. Two of his sons, Albrecht Jr. and Albert aspired to be artists. However, the financial burden of formal education for both was far beyond what the family could afford.

The brothers devised a strategy. One would labor in the nearby mines and use his earnings to finance the other’s art education in Nuremberg. After four years, they would exchange roles, with the educated brother funding the other’s studies either through mining work or art sales. It was decided by the toss of a coin. Albrecht Jr. went to art school while Albert took up work in the mines. Albrecht Jr.’s etchings, woodcuts, and oil paintings were exceptional, quickly earning him large commissions.

Upon his return to the village, the Durer family celebrated Albrecht Jr. with a festive dinner. After the meal, Albrecht Jr. made a toast to his devoted brother, stating, “And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you.”

Albert sat there, tears cascading down his pallid face, his head shaking from side to side as he wept. Over and over again, he muttered, “No, no, no. No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look what four years in the mines have done to my hands!”

The bones in every finger had been broken or crushed at least once. Arthritis had taken hold, and his hands could no longer make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush.

Albrecht Durer’s extensive collection of exquisite portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings adorn numerous esteemed museums worldwide. However, his most recognized piece is “Praying Hands.”

As the story goes, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother’s bused and broken hands stretched skyward in prayer. He simply titled this evocative drawing “Hands.” But the world soon embraced his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute to love “Praying Hands.”

Albrecht Durer’s magnum opus, “Praying Hands,” symbolizes the quintessence of self-sacrificial love for all eternity. How does one define self-sacrificial love? It is the act of forfeiting one’s personal interests or well-being for the benefit of another. Self-sacrificial love embodies the readiness to compromise and give up things you value for the well-being and success of another.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self” (St. Francis of Assisi).

Father if only I had a smidgen of the immense self-sacrificial love that You and Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, possess.

INSIGHT

John 15:12-13

12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

We may be ready to lay down our lives for family, friends, or even strangers in exceptional circumstances. But how many of us would be willing to make such a sacrifice for those who have wronged us, our enemies, or our tormentors

Yet, that is precisely what the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ did. We were once sinners of the worst kind, willfully disobedient and rebellious foes. A number of us, now children of the King, once denied His existence, ridiculed Him, and even bore hatred towards Him!

Romans 5:6, 8

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

In our wildest dreams, we can’t envision this ever happening. But it did! The Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for each one of us when we were at our worst – disobedient, rebellious, defiant, and godless.

How can we be sure of the Father’s love for us? It is encapsulated in a single sentence about the Lord Jesus Christ: “He died on a piece of wood, yet He made the hill upon which it stood!” (Hal Lindsey)

Most of us understand and appreciate grand, one-off sacrifices. But what about the small, daily sacrifices in our interpersonal relationships? This is where the real test begins for each of us. Choosing to serve, yield, and compromise are among the most challenging lessons that we are meant to learn as children of the King.

Are you willing to apologize when you’re in the wrong? Are you ready to forgive those who have wronged you? Trouble is as common to humans as sparks flying from a fire (Job 5:7).

Interpersonal relationships can be messy and complicated. Challenges, disagreements, offenses, illness, and disappointments are part of the journey. It is here that personal integrity and strength of character are forged. Love and commitment equip us to face life’s adversities together. Self-sacrificial love does not hold grudges or keep score.

It’s as if each of us holds an internal balance scale. The wrongs of others are piled on one side, good deeds on the other. We must devise methods to permanently discard the accumulated pile of wrongs for our emotional health. Without this, the scales will never be balanced. Have you learned to unload the wrongs from your scale of balances?

As we mature in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, self-sacrificial love becomes a way of life. What we once saw as sacrifices no longer seems so. They become expressions of the Father’s love that we’ve finally learned to speak.

Regrettably, for many of us, it is the most challenging language to learn and master.

As children of the King, we have the ultimate example of self-sacrificial love in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Supersize the prophetic spirit that energizes you ∙

Supersize the prophetic spirit that energizes you ∙

Elijah asked Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you.” – 2 Kings 2:9

2 Kings 2:11-15

11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly, a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and a whirlwind carried Elijah into heaven.

12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My Father! My Father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.

13 Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then, Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River.

14 He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

15 When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

Break free from the jaded, cynical, skeptical mask of adulthood. Envision yourself as a 10-year-old, once again having heroes you idolize. Allow your mind to wander. Daydream a bit. Who are your idols, and why? Do you aspire to be like them, and if so, why?

Heroes not only reflect our core values but also inform and shape our aspirations. Our core values influence our life choices and direction. While selecting a path doesn’t necessarily set our final destination in stone, it is crucial to understand what is significant to us. Each individual’s core values differ. Frequently, maturity has a way of improving them.

The concept of a “hero” was first introduced by the ancient Greeks. They perceived heroes as ordinary humans who carried out actions well beyond the capabilities of an average person. Heroes were simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary, serving as reminders of what was possible. They motivate us to reach our full potential and be all we can be.

Heroes embody our ideals and significantly contribute to defining those ideals. In many aspects, our ideals determine our conduct and aspirations.

The heroes we choose to admire profoundly influence our lives. However, we also have the chance to refine our choices and select better heroes.

A common misconception in contemporary society is mistaking fame for greatness. Figures like Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Taylor Swift, Freddie Mercury, and Michael Jordan are considered real or fictional “superheroes.” Nevertheless, fame does not necessarily equate to moral character and excellence.

We should reflect upon our heroes and what they represent to us.

What makes our heroes noteworthy? We pardon their shortcomings and defects, which expose their imperfections. Human heroes are always imperfect. Their frailties make them more like us. We can relate. Their triumphs over their human shortcomings should inspire us, not dishearten us. They expand our vision of what is possible for mere fallen people.

The Father has chosen to tell us about His “superheroes.” Their tales fill the Scriptures. Many were ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary feats: Amos, Jeremiah, Peter, and Esther. Conversely, some were exceptional individuals who regrettably made numerous poor decisions: Moses, Solomon, and Samson.

The Father’s heroes are often overlooked and ignored. They are not dismissed because their stories are familiar and therefore disregarded. Instead, it’s because their stories are not widely known. The Father has entrusted each of us, as children of the King, with the task of learning these stories. And then, we are to share the Father’s superheroes with others.

REFLECT & PRAY

Do you aspire to be a hero in your Father’s sight?

Father thank You for telling us who Your heroes are. The Scriptures are full of them. You even gave us a special list in Hebrews 11.

INSIGHT

Being a child of the King involves high aspirations and subtle thoughts. It’s about breaking free from monotony and societal expectations. It encompasses learning to love and cherish Him, His teachings, and His principles. It requires consciously deciding to lead a life based on His standards rather than one’s own.

Let us delve into the story of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was a hero in Elisha’s eyes. He was captivated by the extraordinary spiritual energy and blessings that the Father expressed in and through Elijah. Elisha yearned to emulate Elijah and even surpass him.

This was precisely the Father’s plan. Elijah served as Elisha’s mentor, preparing him to take over when the time was right. Essentially, Elijah was grooming his own replacement. He was working himself out of a job. Elijah’s assignment was a daunting task for anyone. The demands of such an incredible responsibility far exceeded Elisha’s limited abilities. No doubt Elisha wondered, “How can I ever do it?” It would require power, immense spiritual power. The answer soon came.

2 Kings 2:9 Elijah asked Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you.”

Elisha’s aspirations didn’t revolve around fame, materialistic acquisitions, or wealth. He sought spiritual power. He wanted the same raw spiritual energy that Elijah possessed, but more. He wanted it to be supersized! He was well aware of his own limitations and inadequacies. Elisha knew he would need a double portion, which he requested from Elijah.

But the Father’s power is His alone to bestow. Mere mortals cannot command or manipulate the Father. That goes without saying. But the point here is that Elisha had the boldness and confidence in the Father to ask.

As it turns out, this was the Father’s plan all along. It was His doing to bring Elisha and Elijah together. It was no mistake that Elijah became his mentor, training him not only to wield the power of God but also to develop the character and integrity necessary to shoulder such responsibility. Elisha’s request was granted. In a whirlwind, Elijah was taken home to be with the Father aboard a fiery chariot driven by an angelic charioteer.

Elijah’s cloak fell near Elisha’s feet, symbolizing the Father’s answer to Elisha’s prayer. Elisha picked up the cloak and returned to the Jordan River. Upon striking the river with the cloak, he exclaimed, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha crossed (2 Kings 2:14).

2 Kings 2:15 When the group of prophets from Jericho saw what happened from a distance, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!”

“Elisha made a big request because he had come to know a big God. What ‘big things’ might God be pleased to do in your life if only you would ask Him?” (Stanley) Spend some time alone and list your five greatest heroes. Reflect on why they are your heroes. Is it time to change heroes?

But more importantly, do you aspire to do great things for the Father? Is it time to ask in faith, Father, if you are willing supersize me?

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Ineffective prayer ∙∙

Ineffective prayer ∙∙

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16

James 5:16-18

16 The energized prayer of a righteous man is able to do much.

17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

There is no question about the sincerity and desire of our hearts and our prayers for others. Nothing can we do to enhance our tender feelings, lovingkindness, or persistence. Instead, let us focus on increasing our prayers’ authority, effectiveness, and energy.

Consider your favorite athlete at the pinnacle of their game. What do you see? They are executing their craft with a proficiency that leaves you in awe. Now, imagine them as a young child of five. You may already see sparks of the greatness they’ll achieve, but can they perform at the same elite level at this age? Of course not! What does it take to transform a 5-year-old child into an accomplished world-class athlete?

When it comes to prayer, assuming our heartfelt desire for others is for their best, we are too often just like 5-year-old children tugging on their parents’ clothes to obtain what we think is best. How do we become mature in our prayers with increased authority, effectiveness, and energy?

James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

In Greek, the word translated as effective is energoumen. What does effective mean? Effective means to have the power or ability to get things done, to put things into operation, or to execute. Efficacious prayers are capable of producing the desired effect or result.

Energoumen could be well translated as energized. The English word energy is derived from it.

Where does the energy come from? What energizes prayer? God makes prayer effective through the work of the Holy Spirit. Spirit-empowered prayers achieve the desired result. “Prayer is very powerful and energized (by God or the Spirit)” (Moo).

Successful prayer is energized prayer.

James 5:16 may be translated in many ways.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (NLT).

The energetic, passionate prayers of godly men have the power to accomplish much (MacArthur Study Bible).

The energized prayer of a righteous man is able to do much (fih).

Tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! (TPT).

The energized prayer of a righteous man has much supernatural power (fih).

When James speaks of effective prayer, the unspoken implication is that there is also ineffective prayer. How can we tell the difference?

By the results!

Effective prayer is prayer that accomplishes something. More particularly, it results in the will of the Father being accomplished on earth.

Matthew 6:9-10

9 Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

The Father is always at work around you. He invites you to become involved with Him in His work. He does not ask us to set goals, and then pray that He will help us achieve them. The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It is a theocracy.

When the Father reaches out to us, He already has His own agenda. He desires to invite us to leave behind our plans and aspirations and accompany Him where He is working. We are to relinquish ideas and ambitions. He leads us from being self-centered to being God-centered. When the Father reveals to you where He is working, that becomes His invitation to join Him in His activity (Blackaby).

Effective prayeris praying the Father’s will into existence. We must know what the Father wants to accomplish on earth and pray effectively that it will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

So, what sets Elijah apart from us? This is not a trick question. The simple one-word answer is: Nothing! Elijah knew what to pray and how to pray because he knew the Father’s plan. He heard the Father’s voice. The Father told him what to pray. Elijah’s assignment was to pray what he was told into existence.

1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

1 Kings 17:2 The word of the LORD came to him, saying

1 Kings 18:1 Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

Praying is not a shot in the dark. It is not a net cast into the sea hoping for a good catch. Praying is working along with God to fulfill His divine plan (A W Tozer).

REFLECT & PRAY

Praying must be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistence that will not be denied, and a courage that never fails (E. M. Bounds).

Father when it comes to prayer, I no longer want to be like a five-year-old child. Help me put on my grown-up clothes. Teach me the science of prayer. Equip me to pray effectively.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 12:5 If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses?

If we cannot effectively contend with little and overcome, how can we contend with much? How do we turn this around? We begin with where we are, assuming we are like little children and must grow up. We seek the Father to gently but firmly hold our hand as we begin to take baby steps on the path of effective prayer.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Effective prayer is a science whose laws can be learned and mastered. It is a skill that can be developed. Any child of the King can master it. Prayer is the hardest thing we will ever do. Being human, it is the one act we will be tempted to do less frequently than any other.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

No child of the King is greater than their prayer life. The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both born in and maintained by prayer (Ravenhill).

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Wise living ∙

Wise living ∙

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. – Proverbs 15:31

Proverbs 15:31-32

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

In our fallen world, criticism is an inevitable part of being fallen creatures. However, the way we react to it can profoundly alter our reality. Cultivating the ability to respond appropriately to criticism is of great value.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body; it calls attention to the development of an unhealthy state of things. If it is heeded in time, danger may be averted; if it is suppressed, a fatal distemper may develop” (Winston Churchill).

“Constructive criticism includes timely and specific negative feedback with useful strategies for skill improvement, support, and encouragement” (Dr. Darnell Cole).

Constructive criticism serves as a catalyst for individual growth and learning. Both feedback and reproof are opportunities for success that should be fully utilized. They may offer fresh viewpoints and understanding of things we might have neglected or never thought about, paving the way for enhancement.

Both criticism and praise stir up powerful emotions within us, which, if not managed, can lead to self-loathing or an overinflated ego. The Book of Proverbs imparts wisdom about the power of positive reinforcement and sound advice: “Good news gives health to the bones . . .. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding” (Proverbs 15:30, 32).

In our imperfect world, criticism is a spectrum that ranges from mild admonishment to vehement rebukes and condemnation. Constructive criticism often includes reprimands, corrections, discipline, and similar elements.

The Father purposefully brings people into our lives to assist us toward spiritual maturation and service. His most precious gift to us is the word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and useful. It teaches us what is true and makes us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

How we respond to criticism and rebuke is our choice. The wisest choice is to learn to walk humbly with the Father and grow from criticism and praise.

The willingness to receive criticism and correction is the foundation of wise living.

REFLECT & PRAY

“The fear of the Lord is the willingness to humble oneself before God and to let His Word guide us” (Constable).

Father thank You for Your gifts of praise and criticism. May I humbly receive them both and grow and sharpened.

INSIGHT

What is the Father’s ultimate goal when providing reproof and discipline for the children of the King? He wants us to respond appropriately and lead a life filled with wisdom. It all begins with cultivating a deep reverence and respect for the Father. They are the foundation of knowledge and wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Do you want to be the best? Do you want to be with the best? Listen and respond to criticism correctly.

Proverbs 15:31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

The Hebrew phrase translated as life-giving reproof, constructive criticism, or reproof that leads to life or wholesome admonition is quite striking. It helps unpack the meaning of the entire expression.

The Hebrew word chayyim, which is translated as life-giving, constructive, or wholesome, comes from the Hebrew term chay. Chay literally means life or living thing. Chay refers to anything that fosters the health or wellness of the body, mind, or spirit (UBS).

The Hebrew term translated as criticism or reproof is tokachath. Tokachath originally had more of a legal connotation, akin to presenting a case or argument. This is how it is used in the Book of Job.

Job 23:4 I would lay out my case and present my arguments.

Over time, it evolved to signify a reproof, reproach, reprimand, retort, rebuke, or admonition.

The Father’s constructive criticism isn’t designed to belittle us. Instead, its intended effect is to build us up.

What a beautiful idea! When the Father provides us with constructive criticism and life-giving reproof, He is at work to promote our well-being. The Father acts like a loving parent, encouraging each child of the King to become their best and live wisely.

He is striving to realize His dream for our lives. What role do we play in this? The onus is on us to master the art of responding appropriately. “A teachable person will become wise” (Ross). The question we are to ask ourselves as we move through the vicissitudes of life is, “Father, what do you want me to learn from this?”

How we respond to constructive criticism determines the people we are comfortable with. “Those who receive wise reproof will be at home with the wise” (Butler).

When we strive to be our best, new relational doors swing open for us. We will experience a newfound ease in the company of wise and godly individuals, finding ourselves naturally attracted to them. Conversely, old, unhealthy relationships often naturally fade and drop away.

1 Peter 4:4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do.

The Book of Proverbs emphasizes that “willingness to acquire wisdom, and to listen to good advice, leads to wisdom or makes a person wise and successful in life. For this reason, it is probably best to understand this saying as ‘Whoever pays attention to helpful correction in life will become wise.’ CEV has ‘Healthy correction is good, and if you accept it, you will be wise’” (UBS).

Opting to live a life of wisdom is not without its demands. It requires a proper response to reproof and discipline. The results are well worth the effort. Reacting appropriately has the power to transform. It re-invigorates and alters our lives. It takes meekness and humility to be receptive and thankful for correction.

Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”

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