Proverbs 11:1 A FALSE balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is HIS delight. [King James translation]
Summary:
Proverbs 1:1 tells us that the author of the book of Proverbs is Solomon, the son of David and the third king of Israel. Solomon was renowned for his wisdom. But, most importantly, Solomon’s wisdom came from GOD. 1Kings 3 helps us understand why and how Solomon was blessed with the gift of wisdom.
First, 1 Kings 3:3 states that Solomon loved the LORD. And, because he loved GOD, 1 Kings 3 also tells us that Solomon was willing to sacrifice to GOD. 1Kings 3:4 states that Solomon sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon to GOD.
Second, Solomon had a thankful, servant’s heart. When GOD spoke to Solomon in a dream and GOD asked Solomon for what HE could give Solomon, Solomon asked GOD to allow him to serve HIS people. In 1Kings3:6 Solomon first thanked GOD for what GOD had already done for him and his father David before Solomon asked GOD for anything else.
Third, Solomon asked for a discerning heart so that he could distinguish between right and wrong and administer justice so he could govern GOD’s people well. 1Kings3:9
In other words, Solomon was basically “sitting on a winning heavenly MEGA JACKPOT “lottery ticket,” able to ask for whatever he wanted and all he asked for to be able to be a
good King to GOD’s people.
Solomon was sincere. He didn’t ask for great wealth or personal gain. He didn’t ask for long life or short life for his enemies. He didn’t create a long list of things that would make his own life better or improve the life of his loved ones or family. Solomon simply had his priorities straight— Love of GOD first, service to GOD second, asking GOD for HIS continued wisdom to tell right from wrong and be just so that he could serve GOD’s people well, third. Because Solomon had achieved the “right balance” in life, GOD was delighted with Solomon and blessed him with wisdom and more.
BALANCE (In Movement)
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) falls are leading cause of death and injury in older Americans:
- One-fourth of Americans aged 65+ fall each year.
- Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
- Older American can suffer hip fractures, bruises, and head trauma;
- Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.
- In 2013, the total cost of fall injuries was $34 billion.
- The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $67.7 billion by 2020.
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/
Falls are not only a problem for the elderly but according to the World Health Organization, globally falls are a major health problem. An estimated 424,000 fatal falls occur every year in the world, making it the second leading cause of unintended injury death, after road traffic injuries. While all people who fall are at risk for injury, children and older adults are especially at risk.
Some simple preventative measures that everyone can follow include:
- Screen your home for fall risks https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/check_for_safety_brochure-a.pdf;
- Review any medications with your physician or pharmacist to determine whether any of them might increase your risk of falling or cause dizziness and review the times when such medication should be taken;
- Get an eye examination to make sure your vision is not affecting your sense of balance;
- Inspect the quality of your shoes or any problems with your heel height, shoe structure, ankle or foot support;
- Speak to your personal physician about past falls, prevention, hip protectors or other measure you might take.
Like any other muscle, a sense of balance should be exercised or may be strengthen. You can work on core, arm and leg strengthening exercises, practice balance strengthening exercises like Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates or others exercises that focus on balance or strength. If you already have balance concerns or problems, speak to your physician about what exercise program might be right for you.
SERVICE OR MEGA JACKPOT PRAYERS
Reviewing Solomon’s request to GOD and GOD’s response to Solomon is a good reason for all of us to review our own prayers. We might ask ourselves:
- How closely do my last prayers resemble Solomon’s prayer?
- Are all my prayer requests for “thing” that benefit me, my family, my church or something related to me? Are my prayers about me serving GOD or GOD serving me?
- Are my prayers focused on finances and economics? Or, are they concerned with justice for all of GOD’s people throughout the world?
If you feeling a little “off-balanced” or feel that perhaps your priorities are not lining up with scripture, it is not too late to re-balance or pray for GOD’s grace and wisdom.
Remember, GOD wants to delight in us all!
So today, let us all work on our balance. Let us all pray we get our priorities straight.
Let us pray to learn to serve GOD and HIS people. Let us pray that we never become blind to injustice or compromise right and wrong.
Let us pray for GOD’s wisdom and BE BLESSED!
