Blessing Leaders

Proverbs 6:1-2 “My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.” Proverbs 22:26 “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts.” Proverbs 11:5 “He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure.” Proverbs 17:18 “A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.”

Leader, God’s Word counsels strongly against being surety for another. I bless you with heeding this counsel. I bless you with understanding His protection extended to you, but also, and perhaps more difficult, with understanding His wisdom and intended growth for the one seeking surety. I bless you with choosing security that carries God’s approval. May the words of your mouth – however well intended – never lead to your own captivity. I bless you with wisdom and favour to humbly extract yourself from undertakings that might lead to your hurt.

Proverbs 6:3-5 “So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.