Day 106

Joshua 13:1–14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8

PERHAPS YOU’VE MET people you considered to be posers —people who pretend to be something they aren’t. At times, we all have the urge to live this way, and although we try to be subtle about it, we find ourselves pretending to be more than we are. Often, this behavior is borne out of an insecurity or wound in our lives, but usually, it emerges out of a generous amount of comparison, as well. We want to be perceived differently than we really are, because others seem to be doing so much better than we are. Unfortunately, when an entire culture is posing, all we are left with is a house of cards that will eventually tumble.

In today’s reading, the book of Proverbs gives us a bit of a riddle concerning this sort of posturing:

Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened.

If we consider all the options laid out in this passage, we see that one scenario is totally unsustainable: those who are pretending to be more than they really are. In this proverb, a truly rich person has the resources to extricate themselves when adversity arises. A truly poor person doesn’t need the resources of the rich, because they will never be held for ransom. It is the person who pretends to be more —who presents an illusion —who finds trouble. They will face adversity and have no way to free themselves. The house of cards will tumble.

Let’s consider who we really are today, versus what we are presenting to the world. The Proverbs give us concrete wisdom about where our path may be leading.

MEDITATION:

Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Yes, the LORD pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.