Proverbs 20:26

A wise king winnows the wicked
and drives the wheel over them.

The wise king is able, first, to discern between the wicked and the righteous (or innocent). Secondly, he is able then to act against the wicked in judgment. Many rulers exercise power but do so indiscriminately, harming both wicked and righteous; indeed, many rulers are especially brutal against the righteous. And there are rulers who know who ought be punished, but they lack the power or willingness to act. A wise king is able to do both – discern and act; for it takes wisdom to know how to act in such a way as to carry out due punishment and not be overthrown.

How wise are you in whatever authority capacity you might have – a job supervisor, teacher, parent, or other such position? Do you discern wisely? Do you discern how to act? A wise king does not bemoan how difficult his responsibility is. He uses his energy to consider how to act in wisdom. He studies wisdom. He gathers around him wise counsel. He turns to God and prays for wisdom. He studies the Scriptures for wisdom.

And he puts his own life under the Lordship of his wise King – Jesus Christ. He lays his heart before this wise king, willing to be chastened, zealous to please, and fully trusting for saving mercy. May the Lord grant you such wisdom today.

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By D. Marion Clark. © 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church. Website: tenth.org