The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 28:4-9, “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich.
7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”

Were you raised to tell the truth? I was; and for the most part, I obeyed and practiced what I was taught. Yet, when “push came to shove,” I was less obedient. Playing with a friend was more enjoyable that breaking for dinner. So, I stayed far away from my mother’s call. When she asked if I heard her call, I could honestly say “no.” I knew it was wrong when I avoided hearing her call, but I justified what I did by what I honestly said.

I’m not sure whether Solomon ever engaged in such deviousness, but I am sure he understood the duplicity that originated in a wicked human heart. What evil people do not understand is justice. Only those who turn away from evil and trust the LORD understand it.

Would you agree with Solomon that it is better to have integrity than it is to be rich? We hear today of some outlandishly evil activities propagated by some extremely wealthy people. Some of the activities in which they engage are masked from the public, while their overt labels are marked “righteous” by themselves. These people ignore the poor while they increase their personal wealth. They may even believe that they live out-of-range of the LORD’s sight and voice, but they don’t! Prayer that comes from an intentionally wicked heart is itself an abomination to the LORD. The only prayer the LORD hears comes from an honest, earnest repentant heart is: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Have you prayed that prayer? “LORD, forgive me for my sins. Make me clean in thought and action. I trust You to forgive me. Here and now I give my life to You. Thank You, LORD for saving and cleansing me.” It’s the start of new and exciting Life!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom