The Daily Word: Friday, August 13th, 2021
Nehemiah 5:14-7:73
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Psalm 33:1-11
Proverbs 21:8-10
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman. – Prov. 21:9
The level of comfort you enjoy in life is far less consequential than the company you keep. Here Scripture is speaking to the necessity of a peace in marriage. The housetop represents isolation: being exposed to the elements, and outside of the comforts of life that you have come to enjoy. It is better to live in isolation than to live with a spouse who is contentious![1]
But this verse can be applied far beyond the realm of marriage. This applies to all your relationships. Where you live is far less important than the community of which you are a part! What does this say about the relationships you enjoy? Are there any constantly contentious relationships that you should cut off because they always lead to argument instead of agreement? Are there people who are constantly challenging and rattling your faith in ways that are absolute unnecessary? What does this verse say about the ways in which we use social media: logging into platforms like Facebook and Twitter just to pick a fight with someone who doesn’t agree with us?
God promises you His “peace… which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). But the peace He gives you is made of no effect if you constantly surround yourself with conflict! Selah. Now go make the changes you need to make.
Prayer:
Father, help me to take concrete steps to shield myself from people who are contentious. I pray that I would never be a contentious person who starts quarrels just for the sake of starting them! I receive Your perfect peace, and I will never give it up in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
[1] “Contentious” is the Greek midyan (Strong’s G4079) which can also be translated as “brawling”: one who loves to pick fights.