Proverbs 3:29 “do not plan evil against your neighbour, who dwells trustingly beside you”
For a few years when younger I lived on the far north-west coast of Scotland, it was a tiny village of around 10 or 12 houses. The houses were all spread out with only one or two close-bye each other. And by close-bye, I mean walking distance. There was an ancient castle in the village and the castle ruin which was the original seat of the MacDonald clan was not too far away. We would catch a train to the nearest town for our groceries once a week.
There was a stony beach two minutes walk from my cottage and as you stood on the beach looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, the next landmass was America, around six thousand miles away. I loved going fishing, and I loved going out on my single cylinder Yamaha 500XT over the forest trails. I would walk around the coast on low tide days and pick up native oysters. One cold winter night, walking down the road from the local inn, in the faint moonlight I saw a herd of deer swimming across the river to get to the beach and eat some seaweed. It was the best of times and the worst of times.
I was suffering from alcohol and drug addiction and seemed at times to be living a double life, the tension and the struggle going on inside me was simply overwhelming.
My closest neighbour was a beautiful old highland lady, born and raised in the highlands who had lived there all her life.
Often on a Saturday or Sunday morning when I finally got up, there in my small stone-built porch was a tinfoil wrapped stack of still-warm pancakes and a covered bowl of homemade Scotch Broth soup. Week after week, month after month.
I would visit with her occasionally and we would tell each other stories from our lives as we sat close around her wood-burning stove, drinking tea, fighting tiredness for one more story, before braving the cold night air and the short walk home. She was a neighbour, that’s what being a neighbour should look like I think, and that is what I would want to be more like.
KNOWLEDGE
We are having a few verses together now about what not to do to our neighbours. Which would suggest that at times, this, is how we treat our neighbours. Being a good neighbour then is something that is close to God’s heart, and is something that is associated with wisdom, and living the way Jesus would love us to live. We can of course go to the New Testament here, and read Romans 15:2″ let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to build him up”, or Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Jesus qualified who our neighbour is in the story of the Good Samaritan –
Luke 10:36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Wisdom, the pursuit of holiness, through a relationship with Jesus, recognises the need to treat those disadvantaged by society with favour, and also now we see a priority of God is that we genuinely care for our neighbours. If we ever find ourselves asking “what is God’s will for my life” now we have some fairly obvious things to get on with every day – bake some banana bread and take it to your neighbour’s house or get involved in a local church or charity and volunteer.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word in Hebrew used for “dwells” is pronounced “yasab”. Its used 1088 times in the Old Testament from Gen 4:16, through to Malachi 3:3, and is translated into the following English words [ESV] settled; inhabitants; lived; stay; remain; sits; abode; inhabitants; continue; live; wait; lay; enthroned; set; married; and, placed. In our scripture Proverbs 3:29, we pick up on the meaning “living nearby, or closely”. This could be physically or even emotionally I believe.
WISDOM: how are you blessing your neighbours?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Responsibility looks to take on the ownership of commitments, you build influence through doing what you say you will do. Be careful what you say “yes” to.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [do not plot affliction and calamity for your companions and friends who stay and put their confidence in you and trust their security to you.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to be a true and honest friend to those close to me and to those who God has positioned beside me for their benefit. Thank you.
As a blogger, your feedback means so much to me – so thanks for taking time to scroll down and leave a few comments or thoughts – thank you!
Thank you Pastor Allan.
It’s so easy to get consumed by the ‘busyness’ of life and often we forget that God has positioned people in our lives for divine purpose… to create relationships and to be a blessing… that is, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Thanks Allan for this profound reminder ….
Thank you Ps Allan.
What a great encouragement on loving your neighbors.
I love this part – do not plot affliction and calamity for your companions and friends you stay and put their confidence in you and trust their security to you.
Being neighbourly in our community makes it stronger and we are blessed to be a blessing.
“Responsibility looks to take on the ownership of commitments. Be careful what you say ‘yes’ to”.
Thank you , Pastor Allan , for your beautiful message and your sound advice.
A reminder to always be a trustworthy and dependable friend.
What a lovely neighbour and wonderful example of His love.
Being a good neighbour then, is something that is close to God’s heart, and is something that is associated with wisdom, and living the way Jesus would love us to live. – Beautiful.
It is so easy to just come and go from our homes and never see our neighbours for days in end, especially in the winter months. Thanks for the reminder that God has placed us where we are for a reason and we are to be his light where we live
Thank you ps. Allan. Such a beautiful story, from reading your past and younger years, and knowing you now as a very dedicated pastor, I can see, how powerful God love, mercy and grace transformed someone life like you. Thank you for reminder about loving our neighbours. Just few days ago, this was my topic at the work place, to live in harmony with our neighbours. I thank Jesus for blessing me of having such caring neighbours for almost 18 years at work. Never put things for granted and always try to be such caring neighbours for me as The Lord commandment.
Really enjoy these reads Allan
So interesting and full of adventure
Jesus really has had his hand upon your whole life eh
What a beautiful lady! I too pray to be like her.
“ a true and honest friend to those close to me and to those who God has positioned beside me for their benefit” and what a beautiful prayer. That’s the key I believe, realising God positions people around us, to benefit from us and we can simply ask Him His guidance on how to best love them. Thank you Pastor Allan
Thank you for your wisdom and insight.
Thank you Pastor Allan for sharing your life experience. You are a blessing. God is an amazing Father who continues to speak wisdom over our lives through you. I am so grateful.
Thanks Pastor Allan – what a lovely lady & someone who has had an unforgettable impact on your life!
In a world where many people are suspicious & prefer to isolate themselves from others it is a refreshing reminder that kindness goes a long way to break down barriers & show our neighbours & those in our lives that the world can be a better place if we reach out to others & be a blessing in however small our gestures of goodwill may be .
A very touching story Allan and great reminder. Thankyou !
Thank you Pastor Allan. Blessings 🙏
Thank you Allan . What a precious neighbour you had. What love you must have known from those thoughtful things she did toward you. It’s The simple expressions of our love toward another that tell them we care, and this is all this word asks of us. Extending ourselves and having friendships that stand the test of time by accepting neighbours as they are confidence is built and a space to speak into their lives is established. God knew the plan necessary to bring people unto him and we get to be part of that plan.
Love the picture this paints
Even through adversity god comes through for us always
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”this is one of my favourite scriptures.
“Love your neighbour as yourself,
Dear God I pray that I stay true and honest to you and the friendships in my life .
Thank you pastor Allan
What a beautiful illustration Allan. Thank you I know I will be pondering this all day 🙂