Good Practice

Oh, yes, I clearly remember disagreeing with the umpire when I was a pitcher - even kicked some dirt a time or two. Here's a truth for living: "A just weight and balance are The LORD's: all the weights of the bag are His work." (Proverbs 16:11). J. Vernon McGee says this proverb is for "the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker." Certainly, we expect fairness and integrity from those with whom we do business. Furthermore, when we take-up the role of judge and jury, we take-up something that does not belong to us: remember, a just balance and scales belong to The LORD. This seems, however, to be a role to which we eagerly aspire. It's particularly interesting [to me] that only a few verses later we read: "Pride goes before destruction; and a haughty spirit before stumbling" (V.18). The older-me has learned that many conclusions I rush-to are rooted in two things: (1) perception - what I perceive rather than what is true; and, (2) pride - declaring myself worthy to draw a fair conclusion. What a tremendous relief, however, that there is only One Righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8) before Whom we all will stand one day and give an account (Romans 14:12). No disagreeing, arguing nor kickin' dirt on that day! Let us willingly and eagerly "humble ourselves before the Mighty Hand of God" (1 Peter 5:6). It's ... good practice ... for today and The Day coming.