The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Prov. 10:9-19, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.
13 On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
14 Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment.
17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.”
18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.
19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

It’s as difficult to omit verses of Solomon’s wisdom as it is to submit to them. His understanding of human nature is astounding! I know people who have immersed themselves in the multiple studies of psychology and counseling, who would have bettered themselves by absorbing Solomonic wisdom.

Integrity is vast becoming a thing of the past. When our Founding Fathers met to confirm the Principles that would guide our Republic, integrity permeated the meetings. Not everyone was in agreement with the positions held by other legislators, but no one could challenge the integrity that surrounded even unsound principles.

Today, the confidence the world’s people have in their governments is at an all-time low. And the causation exists because integrity does not. Pick out the words that arrest the thoughts of people lacking in integrity: perversion, trouble, concealment, violence, hatred, wickedness, transgression –and the list goes on. Far too many governments lack the righteousness of the LORD Almighty!

Too many on the path of life fail the necessary instructions. Too many lie and pervert justice. They slander those with integrity, while those who are wise restrain their thoughts. Better it is, they think, to be silent and merely thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt!

We are living in difficult times. We need, however, to remember that the LORD is the One who is in ultimate control. When we find ourselves at the mercy of others –and they show us no mercy— we should remember that the LORD is our “very present help in time of trouble.” Make Him central in your life. Consult with Him regarding everything! Then, relax. He understands our dilemma; furthermore, He’s the only One who can fix it. Why worry your life away?

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