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 14:32-33(KJV):
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Proverbs 14:32-33(Amp):
32 The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the (consistently) righteous has hope and confidence even in his death.
33 Wisdom rests (silently) in the mind and heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of (self-confident) fools is made known.

Thoughts for the Day:

In these verses, the book of Proverbs continues to contrast the fate of the wicked, who are fools, versus the righteous, who are wise. We see in verse 32 that the wicked person is destroyed by his own evil doings, as men reap what they sow. The righteous have an entirely different fate. When we belong to God and are "born again," even when we face death, we do not have to be afraid. The One who has conquered death is with us, as we make the transition from this life to heaven. The most wonderful promise that belongs to every Christian is that we shall not taste death. Yes, our body dies, but the spirit of every believer in Jesus Christ lives on, and will meet Jesus and their loved ones who know Him in heaven.  Then, at the resurrection of the dead, we shall rise and receive our new immortal bodies.

In the New Testament, there is the story of a man named Lazarus, who had two sisters named Martha and Mary.  Lazarus became ill and died. Martha and Mary had summoned Jesus to come and pray for him so he would be healed; however, Lazarus died before Jesus got there.  He had been dead for four days and placed in a tomb when Jesus arrived.

John 11:21-27:
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Jesus, in these outstanding verses, displayed his power over death, as He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead.

John 11:39-45:
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

As God's children, we can rejoice knowing that we too, have overcome death through Jesus Christ.  He has conquered death and hell for us who believe on Him. Praise God!

Proverbs 14:33 tells us that those who belong to God have His understanding and His wisdom residing within.  When we need an answer to any problem, we have access to the fullness of His wisdom and knowledge, as His wisdom silently rests within us. On the other hand, those who are self-confident fools will eventually be seen as such, for what is in a man will at some time surface for others to see. All who desire to know Christ and live eternally do not need to remain foolish and self-confident.  All that is required of us is to humble ourselves, and ask the Lord to forgive our sins, and come into our heart. If we seek Him, He will give us the power to obey and follow Him. We then, will not need to fear death and hell. Those who know Christ and love God, have the promise that they  shall eternally be with Him. Jesus has overcome death for us!  Praise God!

1 Corinthians 15:52-57:
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the promise of eternal life.  I am so thankful that my name is written in the Book of Life. Lord, I pray that each and every member of my family comes to know You and the power of Your resurrection life.  Thank you, that as Christians, when it is our time to cross over into heaven, we do not have to fear.  Death is the last enemy we shall face, and because You have overcome death and hell, we will not even feel its sting. Lord, we are grateful for the promise that we shall once again see all of our loved ones that are in Christ, because they live in You. Lord, comfort those that have lost loved ones with the knowledge that they shall indeed see them and love them once again in our heavenly home.  I ask this in Your Son Jesus' name. Amen.

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