In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man that wanders from his place”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse nine of Proverbs Solomon said, “ointment and perfume rejoice the heart” where we read,
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:
so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
The verse begins, “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:” Solomon began with the words, “ointment and perfume” or “oil as a medicament or unguent used for anointing and incense or the sweet odor of burning sacrifice” “rejoice the heart” which means “make glad, exult and cheer up the soul, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections”. Solomon said oil as a medicament and the sweet odor of sacrifice causes the soul, mind and will of a person to be glad.
The verse continues, “so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.” Solomon added the words, “so does the sweetness” or “even, also and indeed does the pleasantness and agreeableness” “of a man's friend” which means “belonging to a person, whether male or female's, intimate companion, fellow-citizen and neighbor” “by hearty counsel”or “through the means of earnest and heartfelt purpose and advice”. Solomon said the advice of a person's intimate companion is pleasant and agreeable like the “ointment and perfume” to the soul.
When we consider words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the soul of a person may be refreshed and made glad through the means of oil for medicament and incense, however they may be cheered up through the means of the earnest and heartfelt advice from someone close to them. God desires an intimate personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, and He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us “sweet” counsel and advice through His Holy Spirit when we yield to Him. God loves us, and sometimes He uses other people to encourage us in difficult times, but He will always be our “comforter” when we are in need. (See John 14:16, 26; 15:26 ; 16:7)
Next time Solomon says, “your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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