Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. 14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

Solomon has been talking a lot lately about the connection between our heart and our actions and has been honing in on our words. Today he tells us what a king loves and what a king hates.

He says a king loves righteous lips… but he reserves wrath for others, right?

… that is apparently those with a wicked heart and words who do not delight in his ways and ignore his words.

This is a truth Solomon has known personally. It likely does not apply to every king on earth. Some leaders back then and still today want people close to them who hide truths from the people and so are allies with him in deceit.

So in the context of what Solomon is saying about how a king loves him who speaks what is right. He says how a wise person keeps himself in a good relationship with the king. That is, I think… by his speech, his actions… his heart.

When your king loves righteousness… and he is a king who loves his people, stands for justice… he wants good things for the nation. And then he invites you into his presence and looks on you with favor… verse 15 says there is life in the light of his face. Its as though his countenance strengthens and gives you encouragement and life. Solomon says his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

Have you noticed how everyone seems happier when a spring rain comes and green grass sprouts and trees bud... you notice birds singing which you didn’t before? Everything has a life giving glow to our eyes… and it gives us joy.

That's the way a good leader should relate to their employees who do what is good and right… Their countenance and words should bring life giving encouragement.

You know there’s a parable Jesus gave about the kingdom of God where a man who was going on a journey entrusted his servants with his property according to their ability. The one given 5 talents made 5 more and in Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

These are the words that I think everyone desires to hear from their Creator. I’m reminded of a Star Trek The Next Generation episode where the Android Data wanted to meet his maker Dr. Noonien Soong in who’s image he was made. Data wanted to know if he was fulfilling the purpose he was created for. Essentially, he wanted Dr. Soong to say “Well done”. I think most of us want to hear that, but we want to accomplish it in our own way and not in the way or with the character and instruction of the true King. Men seek riches for personal satisfaction and then give money in hopes to somehow earn hearing these words. Some rationalize their wicked heart with all its lusts and desires telling themselves God made me this way… They say doing things the way they want is not evil while not admitting we are all broken because of sin and need the righteousness of Jesus applied to and working out of our hearts.

In closing remember that verse 15 in todays text says: In the light of a king’s face there is life, …

When I hear that my mind goes to 2nd Corinthians 4:6 which says that God (quote) “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.

We may not have seen the face of Jesus physically like his disciples did… but Spiritually God shows us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in his face… Its in Jesus that we find true life. And its only because of his righteousness applied to and working out of our life that he will smile and say …‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:21)

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