He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32

It is interesting that the wisdom of God puts greater value on persistant patience, longsuffering, and goodness than on sheer physical strength. Self-control was something that was more valued than military heroism. Who truly is the strong man? Is he the guy who can flex his muscles and take up a sword and lead an army? Or could it be the one who can control his own passions and prevent a battle from ever needing to take place?

Could it be that part of the downfall of Goliath was the anger with which he carried out his attack on David? Could it be that in running to the battle line, he did not take care to fight not just with strength, but with wisdom? Could it be that Egypt's anger and rage led them to ride foolishly into the midst of the Red Sea - when everything should have told them to halt their attack? So often the ability to rule our spirit is one of the most difficult things we have to do in life. To halt our tongue from speaking in anger - to refrain from entering the fray when our feelings are hurt - to stop a fight before it begins - all these are not easy things to do - and require a depth and strength of character that is often lacking in men and women.

Samson was indeed a strong, mighty man - physically. But he did not "rule his spirit" at all when it came to anger - and other more dangerous passions. In the end - though he did many mighty acts of valor - he was overcome by the wiles of a woman who knew his lack of control over his spirit. Great fighters know how to get their opponents angry - for then they will no longer be controlled by their mind - but by their rage. It is in such moments that the majority of them make a fatal mistake - and the more talented - more controlled boxer - finds his opening and knocks out his opponent with little more than a blow or two.

We too need to be men who not just physically are strong - but are spiritually and morally strong as well. But the truly wise among us know that such a feat of strength is beyond our flesh. It is only Christ Who truly mastered sin and took it to the grave with Him. He rose victorious over it - and granted to us, through His resurrection, the power to win this illusive victory. It is His power that will allow us to master the most difficult foe of all - that of mastery of our own spirit. Then, dear brothers and sisters, is when we are truly mighty - when we are truly strong - and when we are truly a champion. Just know that the only way this can happen is by coming to know and walk with the ONLY Champion - Jesus Christ!

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. Proverbs 28:12

The Bible does not know anything about a political environment where issues of godliness and righteousness are not considered.  Since God is sovereign over all things - He is also sovereign over all political entities.  So, even though our worldly wisdom counsels us never to mix politics and religion - God knows no such artificial division.

Our proverb today tells us that when the righteous triumph, there is great glory.  When godly men rule a nation according to God's ways and laws - that nation will be blessed.  We read in the psalms that the nation is truly blessed whose God is the Lord.  Too many consider the righteous ruling to be an oppressive thing.  Yet we see that it is not godly men who oppress but sinful ones.  Sin brings bondage and injustice to a society - whereas godliness brings justice and truth to bear on all that happens there.  Solomon gave a godly judgment when the two women were fighting over whether the child was there child or not.  But in the end, it was not pure justice that let Solomon know the truth - it was which woman was willing to show mercy.  Godly rulers will know both how to administer justice and how to show great mercy. 

But when the wicked rise in power - men hide themselves.  Consider the history of the despots who have ruled over the affairs of men.  Godless men make the populace fear for their lives.  They are terrified of a man who knows nothing except his own immediate self-interest.  They cringe when his mode of justice knows little beyond swift and terrifying judgment.  Very seldom is there mercy manifest.  Consider Daniel and his judgment for praying to God rather than to the king.  For his supposed crime he was thrown into a lion's den.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were cast into a firey furnace because they refused to worship the image of the king.  These men were not shown mercy - but were judged swiftly without it. 

Over time who segments of the population hide from the king - terrified not just of his justice, but of his anger.  There were wicked kings who killed men for being sad in their presence.  Others were murdered because the king either did not like them - or thought that they might be an adversary in the future - whether it was true or not.  They hide themselves because a wicked king or ruler is untrustworthy in his judgment.  They don't know what might come next - or who might be killed for just looking a little suspicious. 

The wise man desires a righteous man to triumph.  Such a man is far easier to understand - because his decisions will be made on the basis of justice and righteousness.  He will judge based upon truth - and it is truth that does not change.  You see it again and again in the books of Kings and Chronicles.  It is far better to have a righteous king who speaks, lives, and judges according to the truth - than it is to have a wicked king who will ultimately rule on his own authority alone.

"Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. Proverbs 8:14

Here we find wisdom speaking to us - calling out to us to learn and to live by wisdom.  At this point in wisdom's statements, we see wisdom stating what is hers - that there are certain things that wisdom possesses and offers to those who will learn from her.  Today let's take a look at four of these things. 

COUNSEL - Wisdom says that counsel belongs to her.  If we want godly counsel, we will have it if we learn wisdom.  Counsel refers to a plan or advice.  Here it would refer to godly counsel - or counsel that would help us to walk in the will of God.  Want to please God in your life?  Want to walk in this life in a way that honors and glorifies God?  Then learn wisdom - because with wisdom - with seeing the world as God does comes counsel to do what is right.

SOUND WISDOM - This word means a wisdom that guarantees continuing success or continued advancement.  When we learn from Wisdom, we will learn how to stay on the right path - recognizing what path it is God desires for us to walk upon - and thus we will have the truest measure of success - and that is knowing that we are pleasing and honoring God.

UNDERSTANDING -  Wisdom next tells us that she is understanding.  Wisdom helps us comprehend and discern the right kind of action and choices to make.  It is the ability to take the raw data about God - the very rudimentary understanding of Who He is and what He likes and dislikes - and take it and begin to distinguish when sitautions pose different things to us.  We know which way is in accordance with God's will and thus take it.

POWER - Wisdom also gives us power.  The word here means might, power, and strength.  It speaks of God's strength and power.  Wisdom has the blessing of placing us in a position that God will grant us His power.  Thus as we endeavor to do things that glorify Him - we can know that they will succeed, not due to us and our great knowledge - but rather due to wisdom's promise of the power of God to accomplish what He desires.

These are definitely four things that every man desires.  They are the fruits of wisdom - and of cultivating a lifestyle where we listen closely to God.  That will not only bring blessing, but it will bring victory and joy to our hearts.  May we embrace wisdom and enjoy this four-fold blessing that God promises to us.