Proverbs 22

^"2 Rich and poor have this in common: 
   The LORD is the Maker of them all."

Our God is the Creator of us all, each and every one of us. Even though some of His children have gone astray and even rejected Him, it was He who brought them into being. Sometimes I feel as though we can get into this sort of complex where we think "Well, I was created by God!" Guess what, so is the intimidating guy who sits in the back of the class and the kid that very few people are friends with. They were all made by God. We are not unique in that respect.

^"8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, 
   and the rod they wield in fury will be broken."

Evil doers of injustice, you will greet your troublesome punishment for your actions. Your self-obtained image of "power" will be thwarted by the wrath of God. Justice will prevail!

^"11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace 
   will have the king for a friend."

Love others. Be free of judgement. Let your words and thoughts be full of the grace and compassion of our Lord. To adopt His heart is to obtain His friendship. Just think about that. God, essentially, is our closest and most reliable friend. Kind of a crazy thought right? I think so. I just always imagine God as my Father. To hear Him one day call me friend.... I think my mind will be blown. I don't why a simple word change shifts the way I look at anything, but it kind of does.

^"14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; 
   a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it."

Fools cannot be shielded from the temptation of the adulterous. The wicked, who walk not on the path of righteousness, receive no protection or wisdom from God. The are under His wrath, and they will ultimately perish.

^"22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor 
   and do not crush the needy in court, 
²³ for the LORD will take up their case 
   and will exact life for life."

God pleads the case of those in need. He cares for the poor; blessed are they! Those who seek to belittle or oppress the needy will be overthrown and destroyed. If we let God take up the personal trials in our life, how much better off would we be? No longer would we be exploited; no longer would we be plundered.