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 14:35:(KJV): "The king's favour is toward a wise
servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame."
Proverbs 15:1(KJV): "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up
anger."
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses in Proverbs deal with
the problem of rebellion and the wrath that it stirs up. Verse 35 gives
an example of a relationship between a king and his servant. The king who has
a wise servant that follows orders and is obedient to his master's commands will walk
his favor. However, the servant who does shamefully by not obeying the
king will come under his wrath. This is true in all situations where one
is in authority. Those who are under him, are subject to that authority. In the work
place today, those who progress are those who have learned to be submissive and follow
orders. Those who rebel and do their own thing will anger the boss who is over him.
The Lord expects us to respect those in authority
over us. Without this honor and obedience, anarchy and rebellion will set in and
confusion and disorder will be the result. The Lord expects the worker (servant) to honor
his boss and work for him as unto the Lord. He also expects the boss (master) to be
kind to his workers and not threaten them. The Lord is the one who will repay both
master and servant.
Ephesians 6:5-9:
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear
and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of
God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,
whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your
Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Ephesians 5:21: "Submitting yourselves one to another in the
fear of God."
We must understand that submission is an attitude and not just an action.
Submission begins in the heart. There is a story about a little boy who was instructed by his
teacher to sit down and be quiet. Because of his rebellious nature he did not want to do
this, but was forced to by his teacher. Later, the children in the class were chiding him
by saying, "Boy, you really sat down and shut up when the teacher approached you with
the paddle." The rebellious boy replied, "I may have been sitting down on the
outside, but I was still standing up on the inside."
Many times people who claim to be submissive are only outwardly going through the
motions of submission, while inwardly they are still resenting their position in life. A
prayer of submission would be in order: "Father, help me to be content in the
role you created me for and give me a submissive spirit, not only toward my superiors and
those in authority, but also toward each member in the body of Christ. Let me serve, and
not expect to be served. Create within me a lamb-like spirit even as Christ our Lord had.
Amen." Of course, there are limits to submission as it should always be "as
unto the Lord." We must first submit to God and then the problems involving
submission to others will be resolved by Him. The Lord would never expect us to obey a
command to do something immoral or that was against the Word of God. For instance, if
someone ask us to lie for them, we would have to refuse; however, that refusal should be
done in the proper attitude and tone, instead of a condemning and angry voice. Proverbs 15:1 says,
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Submission has been out of balance in both directions, thereby causing much confusion in
the body of Christ. Those who refuse to submit to any authority, are just as out of
balance as those who submit to every dictate of those who they feel are their superiors,
regardless of the mandates. We must have the leadership of the Holy Spirit in all areas of
our lives. Legalistic approaches to the Word of God always bring bondage. Paul's letter to
the Galatians was a reprimand to the people who were leaving the simplicity of the gospel
and reverting back to strict rules and regulations.
We have the same problem today within the church, as some are becoming hard and
dogmatic in dealing with the truth and with people. Submission is required of God's
people, but never to the point that men begin ruling other men's or women's lives. This
has been abused greatly in regard to church authority. Some pastors have become dictators,
while others have become so permissive (all in the name of love) that order is lost in the
church. With no order in the body of Christ there is chaos. There has to be respect for
the pastor and the other offices in the body of Christ. Any legalistic approach to this,
however, brings bondage and does not carry out God's wishes. God's true pastors lead His
flock in love and by example. "Neither as being lords over God's heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3). These kind of church
leaders and pastors are the ones the Lord has chosen to guide His people. If you are in an
area where this kind of ministry does not exist, you can pray for the Lord to send you to
someone who will have a heart like His heart.
Prayer for
the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the
godly men and women that you put me under in my life to teach me Your ways and learn a
submissive spirit. Lord, I desire to always walk in submission, and not yield to the
temptation of wanting my way. Lord, I know at times, that I may be right about
something, but Lord, help me to maintain a submissive spirit while discussing those kinds
of issues. Deliver me from pride and anger. May the issues be resolved by You
having Your way and not Betty's way or the other person's way. May You always be glorified
in my workplace, home and everywhere that I find myself. I ask in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.
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