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 17:1(KJV): "Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house
full of sacrifices with strife."
Proverbs 17:1-3(Amp): "Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of
feasting (on offered sacrifices) with strife."
Thoughts for the Day:
The book of Proverbs is known for
its many wise statements. In this verse we are told that having a little to eat in a
household of peace, is better than feasting in a household of strife. Even eating the
finest food does not compensate for a turbulent atmosphere. It is much
better to just satisfy one's hunger and have a quiet and pleasant home, than arguing continually with
plenty to eat. Many marriages are suffering today because both mates are working to
obtain the "American Dream." This may include a large home, autos,
food, clothing, vacations, college education for the kids, etc. While all
these things are good, if families sacrifice their time together to obtain these
things, they will lost what is really important. Parents should pray and ask the
Lord what He desires for
them to have. Perhaps a smaller home, one car, less clothing, etc. would be the
answer to offset the stress that comes with trying to maintain more than one is able.
Love and peace in a home are more important than the
material things in a home. The Bible tells us how to have a happy home. Today many
families are hurting because they have not learned how to love and serve one another.
When mates are selfish it will result in bickering over things. The Bible
instructs us to avoid this kind of railing.
1 Peter 3:8-12:
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing
that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Christian husbands and wives should first of
all, love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to
love one another with God's kind of love, not what the world calls "love" as
most of the time it is only lust.
1 John 4:7-16:
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born
of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his
love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his
Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the
world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in
God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that
dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
The kind of love that is mentioned here is not the kind of love that is in the world.
God's love is selfless. He gave up His Son that we might live. In Greek there are three
words for love:
(1) Love that is divine, called "agape."
(2) Love of high ideals, called "phileo" (our
city of Philadelphia is named for this brotherly love).
(3) Love of physical passion, called "eros" (from
which our
word "erotic" comes).
Since the original text of the New Testament was written
in Greek, we know the verse above is referring to "agape" love and not the other
two. This is evident when we research the Greek renderings.
Yes, it is better to have less and have God's love in our
lives, as His love will see us through any material lack. He promises us as His children,
that He will always take care of us and supply our daily needs of food and
clothing. Let us be content with what we have, then the Lord can bless us
with more.
Hebrews 13:5: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee."
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful for all that you have provided for me.
Help me not to be stressful, when I have need of certain things and I do not see how they
will be supplied. My trust is in You and I know that You will never leave me nor
forsake me. Lord, I am grateful for a peaceful home. Fill all who visit our home
with Your peace. Let us serve those that You send to our house. Lord, I pray
for marriages that are hurting because of so much stress. Show them the changes that
they need to make, and give them the grace to make them. May Your peace permeate the
whole body of Christ as You have intended. I ask this in Your name. Amen.
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