Ok, so I took a little liberty with the verses by combining them, but it sure did help me understand it better. It is interesting how those to illustrations build on each other. First, what are legs to a lame person. The legs are just added weight, baggage, something that constantly gets in the lame persons way. The lame have no use for their legs. How about a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard? It lodges there, but does not bring about the appropriate response of pain and a corrective action. It is even possible the the drunkard would look at it and laugh about how they have something stuck in their hand and leave it.
What do these have in common, neither the legs or the thorn are bringing about their intended purpose – walking and pain. The same goes with a proverb in the mouth of a fool. He says the words, but there is no action taken from the pain brought about through the conviction of the proverb.
Most of us would concede to some extent we are prideful, but that there is nothing wrong with it. It is something we make excuses for by comparing ourselves to others and saying that we are justified in it. Prov. 26:12 really brings home how dangerous that attitude is about pride.
Wow, worse than a fool. We really should humble ourselves and respond to the conviction (pain) brought about by God's Word in our life and repent (turn and walk away from it).
I just read a great satire piece over at "The Onion" talking about the World Death Rate Holding Steady At 100 Percent and the failure of medicine solve this startleing statistic. If you ever needed a reason to care for others destiny in eternity, read the article for a non-religeous view on the subject and the severe lack of hope expressed.
It's not often you get the privilege to attend the going away service for a faithful servant of the Lord, but today was one of those days. Evangelist Bill Hall is moving from Memphis, TN to Greenville, TN and today was their last Sunday at Heritage. The service was an incredible blessing. Listening to the testimonies of the members and their relationships with Mr. and Mrs. Hall really allowed me to see both sides of the Hall's ministry.
It also reminded me that will always have firsts and lasts, beginnings and endings. What we get to determine is how the time is spent in-between. So do not pray for easy lives and do not pray for easier tasks. Choose God's path for your life and pray for greater strength.