(Prov 25:14 NLT) A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” In the last verse we learned from Solomon about being faithful and trustworthy. The Father expects us to say what we mean, mean what we say, and deliver on our promises. People who do this are, no doubt, hard to find, but when you do find someone who consistently delivers, he/she becomes a blessing to their leadership. Solomon said they “Revive the spirit of their employer.” If that is true (and it is), then the person Solomon describes in this verse must drain the spirit of their employer. This person promises big things, but does not deliver. What they say and what they actually do are not congruent. Their audio does not match their video and all they cause it disappointment in those foolish enough to believe their outlandish claims.
It’s interesting that Solomon likens people like this to clouds and wind. In Solomon’s day a good portion of society were farmers and they relied heavily on the rain to water their crops. When clouds roll in and the wind picks up, most farmers believe the rain will soon follow. Farmers can be intensely disappointed when the promise of the clouds and the hum of the winds fail to produce rain. Similarly, humans experience this type of disappointment when someone makes big claims, but then fails to deliver. Simply put, a person ought not promise something if he knows he cannot follow through. But unfortunately, this has not stopped many from making claims they know they will never be able to deliver on.
Although this proverb does not deal with spiritual or natural gifts, there is also valid application here. A man may claim to be a great teacher/preacher, or he may claim to possess great talent in business and/or the arts, but he becomes a grave disappointment when he cannot live up to what he claimed to possess.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Keep a healthy opinion of yourself: your strengths and weaknesses. You should not have low self-esteem, but you should also not think more highly of yourself than your ought to.
2. Never claim to be something you are not. Don’t lie to yourself or others.
3. Never oversell your capabilities. Not only will it be disappointing to others, but you can bring disgrace to God.
4. Say what you mean and mean what you say – BY FAITH. Be confident about what you believe you can deliver (this is where honesty comes in) and then set out to deliver it, by faith, and with God’s help.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for who You have made me to be. I am comfortable with myself. I don’t have to be jealous of others, because I know who I am and I am free to be me. I am aware of both my strengths and weaknesses. I never claim to be something I am not. I never oversell my capabilities. I operate within the grace that is on my life. You have graced and anointed me to be and to do many things and I freely operate within that space. I enter into this day and every day with the overwhelming confidence that comes from knowing that You are on me, in me, with me, and for me. What you have equipped me to do, You expect me to do, and I will do it BY FAITH! I say what I mean, I mean what I say, I tackle every challenge by faith, but I never allow my lips to cause me to get out ahead of You or what You have graced me to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
