DCLM Daily Manna 13 April 2022
KEY VERSE: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
TEXT: Proverbs 17:15-28 (KJV)
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?
17 A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes surety for his friend.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe [f]behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
27 He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
Jackie Robinson was the first black to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball’s colour barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.
In the passage under discussion today, the author, by the Spirit of God characterises the qualities of a good brother and friend. A true friend loves at all times, in sickness or health, through the good and the bad times. True brothers stay with us in times of adversity.
During the days of segregation and racism in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world, many black and coloured people were humiliated and maltreated in public places. They were subjected to inhuman treatment, in proportions that should not happen under any civilised setting. Their very humanity was called to question. Unfortunately, some so-called Christian congregations joined in the practice of racism, refusing to hold mixed services for fear of offending the black supremacists and other misguided locals. Up until this moment, racism has not totally left us.
The cheering news, however, is the courage of true friends, like Wee Reese who dare to stand with their colleagues in times of trouble. The world needs more of this kind of friendship today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Everyone needs someone to lean on.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 78-79
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Someone to Lean on – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 13 April 2022
