July 29

A spectator sometimes sees more than the actor himself. And a man with an open-hearted friend who dares speak honestly has a wonderful source of encouragement for the power of holiness. Sometimes self-love binds us so we cannot see a single fault, and at other times, self-condemnation makes us appear worse than we really are. Therefore, keep your heart soft and ready to receive a reproof with real meekness.

A person who cannot face plain dealing and straightforwardness hurts himself more than anyone else, for this reason: he seldom hears the truth. If you do not have enough humility to accept a rebuke you are "a scorner" (Proverbs 9:8). On the other hand, a man who does not have enough love to give reproof in season to his brother is not worthy to be called a Christian and proves himself a "hater of his brother" (Leviticus 19:17).

David said he would take it as "a kindness" for the "righteous to smite" him (Psalm 141:5). He accepted reproof as if the brother had broken a box of precious oil upon his head-- a high expression of Jewish love. And his actions backed up his word. Indeed, both Abigail and Nathan knew Godspeed in their mission to reprove David. Abigail warned him about his treacherous intentions against Nabal and his family; and Nathan reproved him for his sin against Uriah. Whereas Abigail prevented the king from sinning by her reproof at the right time, Nathan forced him to come out of hiding and repent of the dismal murder he had already committed. And notice this-- not only did these two saints prevail in their unpleasant errands but actually endeared themselves to David by being obedient to God and faithful to their friend. David took Abigail as his wife and Nathan as his private counselor (1 Samuel 25; 2 Samuel 12).

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