GOD RESTORES BROKEN PEOPLE
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” Proverbs 26:11, ESV
Theme: People are prone to repeat “favorite” sins, yet those patterns are not beneficial to us and when we capitulate to the same repeated sins, we harm ourselves and behave foolishly.
A GRAPHIC REMINDER
Today’s Scripture metaphorically compares two abstract concepts to paint a clear picture. Through very vivid imagery, the wisdom of the Proverbs 26 writer (thought to be King Solomon) comes right to the point of how foolish it is to deny God’s wisdom. He makes the analogy of a sick dog to that of broken people, comparing a fool to a sick dog. The fool’s folly comes from not learning from life mistakes and repeating a cycle of destructive behavior. It’s doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Now, at this point, let’s give the dog a break, so we can concentrate on the human folly. True, a dog will act upon its own well-being, ingesting the very thing that made it sick in the first place. This is a natural behavior with dogs, that goes back to the puppy stage where the mother weans the dog by feeding it regurgitated food. Also, the survival instincts of the dog take over, by doing what they do. Leaving behind the stomach residue alerts predators to weakness. It could stem from a nutritional issue, a gastrointestinal problem, allergies, eating too fast, and - just like humans - some kind of compulsive behavior.
THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES
In 2 Peter 2:21-22, we find the same analogy to describe the destructive and unwise behavior of false prophets and teachers. God wants us all to learn from our mistakes, and refrain from returning to them. He promises us a path of repentance. Mathew 26 talks of Peter’s denial three times before the rooster crows. When that happened, Peter immediately went out and wept bitterly. Through his remorse and repentance, our LORD showed us the possibility of a second chance for those who have fallen but turned to Jesus for help. Judas failed Jesus as well but chose the path of resistance. Peter chose the path of restoration. We all have that option. Seek it. God promises second chances to those who backslide to their follies, if we will only lean into Him and trust Him.
SEEK WISDOM AND GROWTH
Wisdom is more than knowledge. Knowledge is informational facts. Wisdom is the insightful application of that knowledge with understanding and experience. Wisdom guides good decisions. We find wisdom through prayer, seeking to understand Scripture, and by walking in faith, "for we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV). Cling to Christ to guide your actions. It’s much better than going back to sin, dependence, and engaging in the same self-destructive behaviors, despite knowing they are harmful. It’s a life game-changer. Many have celebrated that path to recovery.
Make It Personal: As you have been reading this, and as I have been writing it, I’m sure the thought process has taken us back to those harmful habits we (or close acquaintances) have which caused pain in self or others. This is a very sensible Bible verse that is more than relevant today. It warns us not to think we know it all. This is where our deep Christian love and prayer take over. Should you see someone suffering from a relapse, falling back to old habits, straying from the lessons of failure, or repeating those things that hurt them in the past, use a balance of the compassionate intervention and a wise, prayerful approach as Christ has taught us. It is up to them to turn away from their folly. Acknowledge their struggle. Show empathy. Build trust. See them as God sees them. Pray with them.
Pray: LORD, it is You, and only You, who can erase our sins and rescue us from the old ways. You are the God of second chances, through Your love and race. You heal broken people and place them on the path of restoration. Thank You, LORD, for the love and opportunity of Your redemption. Through Your Son, our Savior, we seek wisdom and growth as we follow and share Your promises. With the lessons learned from today’s Scripture, please help us help those who need our loving intervention, just as Jesus Christ taught us. For this we praise and pray in His Name. Amen
Read: Isaiah 43:25, Exodus 8:15, Proverbs 23:25, Philippians 3:13,1 Corinthians 10:11
Weekly Memory Verse: “And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.’” Ezra 3:11a, ESV