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 2:9(KJV):  "Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path."

Thoughts for the Day:

To understand verse 9 we must first look back to Proverbs 2:1 which says, "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee." This is the condition that today's verse rests upon.  If we recieve and treasure His words, then we can understand righteousness, judgment and equity and know the right and good path in which to walk.  Let us look at these three words: righteousness, judgment and equity.

(1.) First, the Bible definition of righteousness means "to be in right standing with God."  This is only possible through one way -- we must accept Jesus, God's son, as our savior.  We must repent of our sins and receive God's pardon for those sins through what Jesus did on the cross. When He died in our place on the cross, and was buried and rose from the dead the third day, this sacrifice made it possible for us to receive eternal life. When we yield our life to Christ, it is at that moment that we become righteous (or become in right standing) with God.  This is a gift of God and has nothing to do with what we have done or have not done.  We are now righteous in God's sight.  We are now just as pure as God's own Son, Jesus. The only requirement to maintain this righteousness is that we stay in a right relationship with Christ, by faith in what He has done for us. We are not saved by works, but by the grace of God.  However, good works will be the evidence that we are saved.  Good works follow our conversion, but do not attain eternal life.

^{Titus 3:4-8: "But when the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man appeared, 5 Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works."}

^{(2.) Judgement, being a legal term, is generally understood by most men. Simply put, it is a legal decree, or sentence given by a judge.  God, being the ultimate judge, will one day judge every man by his deeds -- whether they be good and righteous or whether they be evil. Herein lies the most wonderful truth about Christianity.  When any person repents of his evil deeds and accepts Jesus as His savior, he immediately is judged righteous by God because of Jesus.  Therefore, the judgement of God  against evil is cancelled against that man.  He will not be sentenced to hell nor is he unrighteous any longer.  If we belong to God, we can now approach the Father through Jesus. We are accepted as righteous and our prayers are heard because of Him.  Therefore we can boldly ask for the things we need.}

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

^{(3.) Equity is fairness or justice. It means to be fair, straight or right. When we trust God and obey His commandments, we are told that we will reap what we sow.  When we sow good things, we will receive good things back. However, because there is evil in this world, we do endure some injustices as God's children. Even though we may be persecuted and may not always be treated fairly in this world, we can be sure that in the world to come, God will see that we receive our fair and just rewards. The good path of God's way will always end in blessing. We find that path through His Word, His wisdom and by obeying Him.}

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Father,  Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus to die for my sins.  I was a sinner and not worthy. Thank you that as I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive them, and that I am now considered righteous in your eyes.  Since you have forgiven me, help me to forgive others who have wronged me, even as you taught us to pray in the Lord's prayer.

Lord, we also ask you to forgive our national sins of racism, abortion, strife, hatred, pornography, adultery, lust, idolatry and our many other sins. Be merciful to us.  We realize we deserve judgement in our land for these sins.  However, we are asking that you send a revival among us so that we might turn from our wickedness and our land be spared. Help me to do my part in changing this nation. Although my life may only represent one drop of rain, there are many other Christians who are rain drops too. Add each Christian's life and their godly witness and influence to this sound of rain until Your love and Your Word covers this dry and thirsty earth. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.