Proverbs 22:11 | Friend Of The King

Proverbs 22:11 ESV says, “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”

The promise of God laid out in the wisdom of Proverbs are fascinating revelations of God’s kingdom. I consider today that pursuing even a handful of the truths listed in Proverbs would lead to a life of freedom and success.

If I asked you what your strategy would be to befriend the king, I’m guessing you wouldn’t list off the attributes in this passage. Earthly strategies call for the accumulation of wealth or the ascent to fame. Perhaps you could do something heroic or radical for the nation.

Yet Proverbs lays out a much more subversive and humble strategy. To befriend the king, you must become pure in heart and gracious in speech. You have to become tender and innocent.

This sounds like Jesus from Matthew 11:29, which we referenced a few days ago.

To get close to the king, you must become like the king. Of course, history has shown countless unrighteous kings that have abused power and modeled everything but purity of heart and gracious speech. So perhaps this verse refers to the image of God’s kingdom and not the way men have distorted it.

This wisdom is not a secret truth that will immediately get you an audience with the president. But it will position you to be prepared for royal company. In this way, even the lowliest individual can operate in the oval office of heaven.

Pure hearts and gracious speech are fitting for the friends of the king. Are we friends of the king? Could seeking this character result in deeper intimacy in our abiding? As we live this way, those who interact with us will experience dignity and honor.

Ask God today to show you how to live like a friend of the king.

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