Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 14:22-25(KJV):
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

Thoughts for the Day:

The entire book of Proverbs is a comparison between good and evil, showing how those who do good are blessed and those who do evil are cursed.  The curse will come through the wickedness that they bring on themselves.  Verse 22 states that those who devise evil are walking in error, while those who devise good will receive mercy and truth.  The Lord gives His loving-kindness to those who are good to others.  Jesus, Himself, is spoken of as One who "went about doing good" in the New Testament.

Acts 10:38: "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

Since all good deeds are rewarded, either in this life, or the next, we can rejoice in knowing our good works are not in vain.  All men will reap what they have sown. The next verse in this study specifically points this out in the area of work.  We are told that all of our labor brings profit.  Another way to say this is that those who work hard, will profit by it.  However, those who just spend their time in idle talk, will end up in poverty (penury). I have known many people who talk about doing things, but never accomplish their desires because they do not spend the time working to see those things come to pass. They are just talkers, not doers.

One particular subject, I have heard many Christians talk about is increasing their prayer life. However, they just never seem to find the time to actually do it.  We can all find excuses for failing in this area.  I have been guilty myself.  I remember a time when I was going through a lot of hard trials, and daily was facing new problems. I heard the Lord speak something to me that I have never forgotten.  He spoke to my spirit and said, "Betty, if you prayed about your problems, as much as you talk about your problems, you would not even have the problems."  We have to diligently work at maintaining a healthy prayer life, as it does not come easy. We must set a time and schedule it into our day.

Verse 24 speaks of the wise as wearing a crown of riches.   This means that the wise man's wealth, is his wisdom.  We are rich indeed, when we have the wisdom of God.  With His wisdom, nothing is impossible to us, while self confident fools end up in their own folly, which brings them down.  Wisdom is having the ability to discern correctly and then following the soundest course of action. This is such a valuable gift. It truly is a "crown of riches," as the outcome of all of wise decisions will lead to the abundant life. Jesus, Himself, is Wisdom; therefore if we follow and obey Him, we shall have that abundant life that He promises.

John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Verse 25 compares the words of a true witness and a deceitful witness.  A person who speaks the truth actually saves lives.  This happens in court cases, where someone testifies of a truth, and thus, the accused are not charged with a crime because of a truthful witness. A faithful witness is also someone who shares the truth of the Word of God with others. Because God's Word is full of life, it will save people from making choices that could kill them. A deceitful witness does just the opposite -- because his words are lies, he will endanger innocent lives. Many people have been destroyed because they believed a lie. We should not believe everything we hear, but we should seek our answers from God and His Word.  His Word should be our standard. Jesus said He was the truth, therefore we can trust Him to let us know what is truth and what is a lie.

John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful for your mercy and truth each day. Thank you for forgiving me and being patient with me when I fail You.  I ask for the desire to be more diligent in my prayer life. I need help in my own life and I also need the burden to pray for others who need Your help.  I lift up my brothers and sisters in the Lord and ask that You minister to each of them in the area of their lives where they have the greatest need.  Encourage those who are weary, give faith to those who are losing hope, grant strength to the weak and health to the sick. Bless all of Your children and keep us all from evil.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.