'Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. '
Proverbs 10:12 ESV
'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, '
Romans 3:23 ESV
There is an obvious duality found within the entirety of the 10th chapter of Solomon’s Proverbs, that being that Good is paid in blessings and evil with curses. God is a just God, and as such, he gives accordingly.
So we are left now with a terrible dilemma. That is who is righteous? The Bible is very clear about this topic. It is evident from the foundations of the world that man is not righteous, even more so to the famous words of Saint Paul in Romans chapter 3. People are messy; they make mistakes; they do bad things, sometimes on purpose and sometimes by accident. Mankind is prone to strife—from arguments to war, the Bible’s message is evident: God is good, and He alone.
So when we stand before this judge and face our unrighteous behavior, what hope do we have against the curses we have so rightfully incurred against ourselves?
By love we may be covered, for the story of the Gospel is that of a glorious king who gives his life for what amounts to a harlot.
This verse in Proverbs is so beautifully foretelling and a masterful foreshadowing of what Christ would inevitably do for his people, for by His righteousness, by His love, our mistakes and evils are covered. It is not that we shouldn’t go on sinning, it’s that we don’t have to anymore. How beautiful.
Today, give thanks, for in our strife and our sin, His blood has covered us and paid our debts.
To Him be the power, the glory, and the kingdom forever.
So be it and let it be.
Amen.