Will Be Commended

A man [or woman] will be commended according to his wisdom,But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

Proverbs 12:8 (NKJV)

What does the word commended mean? Well, believe it or not, it means to shine with God’s favor, to be praised.

I’d like to focus on the phrase “will be commended” in this proverb. Although the Proverbs deal mostly with the practical matters of everyday living here on this earth, once in a while they speak of a long off, future tense: “will be.”

Child of God, maybe you are in a situation where it is hard to be a Christian. You don’t fit in with the crowd. If your husband isn’t saved, you aren’t encouraged in the things of the Lord. Sometimes you aren’t appreciated. Maybe even your kids ridicule your old-fashioned views of life. Just remember, a woman “will be commended” according to her wisdom.

Charles Wesley wrote, “Keep us little and unknown, prized and loved by God alone.”

First Corinthians 15:58 reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (NKJV).

Never forget that for a child of God, the here and now is not all there is. Sometimes you need to zoom forward to eternity, picture being at the throne in his presence, and to hear the King of kings say to you, “Well done.” Now that is royally being “commended.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

If you are trying to be faithful, never forget that God does see. May he shine his favor on you today if . . .

• you are caring for your mother with Alzheimer’s. Well done.
• you’re a single mom, faithfully training your kids to love the Lord. Well done.
• you’re the only Christian in your family and yet you’re shining his light. Well done.
• you’re a new wife trying to learn to honor your husband. Well done.
• you’re a teenager who has vowed to stay pure before marriage. Well done.
• you’re a Sunday school teacher and you pour your heart into the lessons. Well done.

One Year Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 16:1–17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9