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 16:8-10(KJV):
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

Proverbs 16:8-10:(Amp):
8 Better is a little with righteousness -- uprightness in every area and human relation and right standing with God -- than great revenues with injustice.
9 A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.
10 Divinely directed decisions are on the lips of the king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses in Proverbs tell us that having a little money with righteousness, is better than having great wealth with injustice. There are other scriptures that tell us the same thing.

Psalm 37:16: "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

Proverbs 15:16( Amp): "Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it."

1 Timothy 6:6-11:
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

We must have the revelation in our hearts of the greatness of God.   When any Christian calls on God, he has access to all that God has; however, faith is the way that we must come to receive it.  Money may solve some of our problems for the moment.  However, money cannot buy peace of mind, heal a fatal disease, heal a broken relationship, remove tormenting fear, bring us love, or many of the other things that come from the hand of God. If we need money, God can bring that too. Money is not evil, only the "love" of it. When we chase after money, and it consumes our time and energy and God is left out of our lives, then money and mammon have become our god.

Verse 9 of Proverbs 16 tells us that although we may make our plans, if we are committed to God, He is the one who will direct our steps and make them sure.  When we are seeking the Lord about anything, we must be willing to do what the Lord tells us to do in that circumstance.  When we come to the place that it does not matter what we do, as long as it is what the Lord wants us to do, it frees the Lord to intervene in our lives to overcome the threatening circumstances we are facing. He is just waiting for us to say, "Thy will be done."

Verse 10 has an admonition for those who are kings and those who are in positions of authority. They are warned not to sin by making unrighteous judgments, as they can use their place of authority to rule unrighteously, thus hurting those under their rule.  If God has placed a man in a place of authority, He desires to give him divine guidance and instructions.  Many of our presidents in the USA over the years have sought God for guidance, as they have felt the weight of their decisions that affect the whole world.  I believe that God answered many of their prayers, as is evidenced in the outcome of many of the crises that our nation has faced. Of course, the decisions made by our leaders that have left God out have affected us adversely as well. This is true in other countries, too.

Any leader who calls on God will find Him available to help with those those decisions that affect the lives under them.  A good leader will not use or exploit those under his rulership, but rather will have a concern for them and want to help and protect them. We should pray for the kings, presidents and rulers in this world as we are told to do in scripture.  Today, many people are trying to make changes in their nations in the wrong way. Anarchy and rebellion are destructive, and not the way that God would have us to change the world. We are to rule through prayer and obedience to God's Word. God then will fight our battles and give us the victory His way.

1 Timothy 2:1-5:
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your many blessings that You send my way each day. Thank You for the many friends that You have sent into my life.  Lord, they are priceless treasures. Bless them all today. I want my life to be what You would have to be. Lord, I want You to be satisfied with me, so remove those things that are not pleasing to You.  Thank you for Your daily provision.   I know that when I have You, that's enough. You will take care of all the things that concern me and that I have need of.  May this truth be in the hearts of all of Your children. Thank You for Your mercy and Your amazing grace. I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.