DEVOTION
PROVERBS
DO NOT MIX
Prov 25:20
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar
poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
NIV
This is sort of a strange idea. First from our historians or should we
say both them and the chemist we have some idea about the vinegar on soda. The
soda is what is referred to as pot ash or sodium carbonate which was a natural
found substance in the soil in the region of Israel. It was used for cleaning
as when it was mixed with water it did in fact remove spots. But to pour vinegar
on this substance it would cause an immediate fermentation to take place thus
ruining the quality of the carbonate. Children have been using this combination
to create science projects making a volcano erupt. So these two substances are
not supposed to be mixed. We also see the unmixed concept of taking away
someone’s garment when it is cold outside. That is not a mixture that works
either. The point Solomon seems to be making is that when someone has a heavy
heart, it is not the time to sing them a song, and it just does not mix. The two
should not go together. So what does that mean to us? It would seem that when we have a friend or
encounter someone who has a heavy heart, that is they are going to a very
difficult situation in their life, we most likely should not be a bright and bubbly,
with a big smile and totting phrases like, “Praise the Lord” “God is Good all
the time” Laughing and saying how good life is. The scripture says when one
suffers we all suffer.
1 Cor 12:26
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is
honored, every part rejoices with it.
NIV
That is not to say we should not attempt to minister to the person who
is suffering at that moment in their time of crisis or difficulty. But we should
be acting in a more solemn attitude, demonstrating a compassionate demeanor. It
is not that we should go around with a sad continence, on the contrary, we
should be showing the joy of the Lord in our lives as a witness to the world.
Many times people ask us why are we so joyful, and it gives us the opportunity
to express our faith in Christ. But when they are hurting, it is not the time to
shine brightly, but show some mercy, show some concern and perhaps help them
with words of encouragement, and most importantly offering to pray with them
right there and then. But singing songs and heavy hearts simply do not mix.
1 comment:
Hello Brother in Christ. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well as know you and about your interest in writing devotions, through your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed to go through your blog post on Do Not Mix. Very thoughtful exhortation to be sensitive to others when they are hurting. I am blessed to go through it. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 38 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your young adult children and grand children who are in the late teens to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends. My email id is:dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede
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