He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. — Proverbs 10:9

“Tell the truth the first time, and you won’t have to remember what you said.” The famous Speaker of the House (U.S. House of Representatives) Sam Rayburn is said to have said this. This is pretty much what this passage is trying to teach us about God’s wisdom. Be a person with honor. Then, if someone finds out your secrets, you will be able to feel safe because you will have lived your life for God. But a mean and dishonest person has to worry all the time that someone will find out. There is no safety or security on crooked paths. The only thing that is certain is that you will trip and get caught. When evil secrets that have been whispered in dark places are shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can feel safe, knowing that what is shouted about them is said in the voice of God: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

 

Thought

“Tell the truth the first time, and you won’t have to remember what you said.” The famous Speaker of the House (U.S. House of Representatives) Sam Rayburn is said to have said this. This is pretty much what this passage is trying to teach us about God’s wisdom. Be a person with honor. Then, if someone finds out your secrets, you will be able to feel safe because you will have lived your life for God. But a mean and dishonest person has to worry all the time that someone will find out. There is no safety or security on crooked paths. The only thing that is certain is that you will trip and get caught. When evil secrets that have been whispered in dark places are shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can feel safe, knowing that what is shouted about them is said in the voice of God: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

 

Prayer

Please forgive me, dear God, for being secretive and not telling the truth. Cleanse me of lying. Help me only say things that are true and right. Through your holy grace, turn my bad secrets into a holy person who is the same in public and in private. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.