Proverbs 7:2
When I was going to school, the common joke was those who brought an apple to the teacher were striving to become the teacher's pet. While the teacher did not amass a pile of apples on her desk each day, there were a few of my classmates that brought goodies and gifts on a frequent basis to ensure a higher status in the classroom. The rest of us envied the benefits of such gift-giving. These were the same students who could never do wrong and were given the benefit of doubt on any marginal test answer. At times, the open admiration of the teacher was almost repulsive to the rest of us "hoodlums" that openly disdained such fawning but secretly wished we could enjoy the benefits of a personal relationship with our teachers. There was no debating the fact that certain students were pets or favored in the classroom. But in reality, they should have been - for they strove to seek the approval of the teacher vice openly demonstrating rebellion.
And we should have the same relationship with God's commandments, as described above by Solomon. When we clearly strive to please God by following his commandments, we will garner His love and support. In a world as troubling as today, what a better relationship to have than to be labeled as the Teacher's Pet. The Teacher created this world, taught us how to follow his commandments and gave us the opportunity to choose if we will follow him. Let the bully's sneer and others envy our relationship with The Teacher for we know that in Him is eternal life!
