Singing & Rejoicing (Prov. 29:6)

A righteous man sings and rejoices (Prov. 29:6).

Vent or hold back. Prov. 29:11 says, "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."

The king who wins loyalty. Prov. 29:14 say, "If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever." Usually, the poor are disregarded or marginalized or treated arbitrarily, because they are inconsequential to those who are more powerful. Jesus is the greatest King because he highly regards and values the lowest, weakest one, even each of us.

Rod & Reproof; Discipline to Delight. (Prov. 29:15,17). Discipline is good and wise, and should not be avoided. See Prov. 13:24: http://westloop-church.blogspot.com/2010/10/wisdom-is-found-in-those-who-take.html

No vision. Prov. 29:18 say, "Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law--blessed is he" (Amplified Bible). The Message translation says, "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed." If we don't "see" God, we wander and meander aimlessly and pointlessly. If we humble ourselves to divine revelation in Scripture, we experience the blessing of God.

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Hiding One's Sins (Prov. 28:13)

"The righteous are bold as a lion" (Prov. 28:1). One can act tough or confident based on their superior knowledge, expertise, experience, seniority, status, etc. But only one who is right with God in his heart has no fear of any man, or of any adversity, or tragedy. He has no hidden past that he is concealing/hiding (Num. 32:23; Prov. 28:18), and he is sure that God is with him (Ps. 23:6).

Conceal or Confess Sin. Prov. 28:13 says, "Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy." We conceal sin because we like it and want to continue in them, or because we don't want others to think how bad we are. But without confession of sin, we become hypocrites, we harden our own hearts, and we carry a load of guilt that will crush us. Pray that God have mercy on us, so that we fear God (Prov. 28:14), and be true to him.

Rebuke rather than Flatter. Prov. 28:23 says, "Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue." Polite society thinks that rebuke is bad, and flattery wins favors. But one who truly loves another will always do what's best for the other, including painful, stinging rebuke, for their good.

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