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 14:28-30(KJV):
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Thoughts for the Day:

The book Proverbs records many experiences and situations from the standpoint of the Word of God. Verse 28 states that a King or ruler must have the support of the majority of the people to maintain his position of honor. Rulers who are wise will serve the people, thus winning their favor and support. (Of course, a dictator can rule through sheer force of military power.) However, this scripture is talking about a King or Prince who is legally ruling over a nation. If this ruler does not have the support of the people or enough people, it will eventually be to his destruction. 

Verse 29 tells us that one who is slow to get angry and controls his temper, is a man of understanding; while the one who is hasty of spirit will expose and exalt his folly. An angry man will say and do many foolish things, some of which he may not be able to correct. Words spoken in anger cannot be taken back, and others can be hurt by those hateful words. Only God can deliver someone from an bad temper and heal the wounds that he has inflicted on others. He will do this for us if we ask Him.

Proverbs 14:17: "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated."

Verse 30 in the Amplified Bible says, "A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy and wrath are as rottenness of the bones."

Doctors have discovered that many physical ailments are due to problems in the soul and spirit of a man and when negative attitudes are changed and replaced with positive ones, the patient recovers dramatically.  Those who harbor envy, jealousy, anger and unforgiveness will find their bodies expressing these attitudes as diseases. On the positive side, when we walk in love, faith and forgiveness, our bodies will respond with health and peace of mind. When we yield to anger, we drain our bodies of energy that we could use for productive purposes. Another scripture in Proverbs tells us the value of controlling our temper.

Proverbs 16:32: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Self control comes about as we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives. We must ask the Lord to empower us to restrain our anger. According to the scripture above, the one who does this is better than a mighty man.  Ruling one's spirit, according to scripture, is better than being able to conquer a whole city. 

James 1:19-20: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your grace that abounds in my life.  I am most appreciative for Your daily provisions.   Lord, help me to overcome the character flaws in my life.  May I be angry at the things You are angry about, but Lord, I do not want to be angry in my own wrath.   Remove that kind of anger from my life and give me a gentle and patient spirit with all men. Lord, I desire to be controlled by Your Holy Spirit. Bless my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and help each of them to walk in the spirit so that we all may glorify You in the earth.  I ask in the lovely name of Jesus. Amen.