Treasure A Timely Rebuke
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
Proverbs 25:12
Criticism is so easy to give and so hard to receive. While we don’t want to be around people who have critical spirits, we do want to surround ourselves with people who aren’t afraid to tell us the truth. We need friends who can give us a timely rebuke—people whom we know and trust, people who love us. When they offer a rebuke, we can trust their words and be thankful they care enough to tell us the truth. Such friends help us to avoid being embarrassed and from being criticized by people who don’t care about us.
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If we don’t have these kinds of friendships, we can pray for them. We can also pray that we will be able to receive criticism graciously and be humble enough to make changes where needed. We can also be the kind of friend who rebukes others in love.
GOD’S PROMISE TO ME
• You can learn to graciously heed a wise rebuke. When you do, you will have found great treasure.
MY PRAYER TO GOD
Lord God, you say that people who heed a rebuke have found a real treasure. Give me true friends, the kind who will be honest. I also ask you to make me humble enough to heed a rebuke and then do what needs to be done to make a change.
