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 17:8-9(KJV):
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Proverbs 17:8-9(Amp):
8 A bribe is like a bright, precious stone that dazzles the eyes and affects the mind of him who gives it; (as if by magic) he prospers whichever way he turns.
9 He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses in Proverbs speak of moral virtues and their contrary vices, pertaining to bribes, gossip and unforgiveness. Verse 8 describes this particular gift as one that is used to bribe someone. It is like a precious stone that is intended to dazzle the eyes and mind.  It appears this way not only of the one it is offered to, but also to the one who is trying to use it to gain an advantage over another. Webster's Dictionary defines a bribe as: 1.) anything, especially money, given or promised to induce a person to do something illegal or wrong. 2.) anything given or promised to induce a person to do something against his wishes.

Some people can be bought with a bribe or gift, if they do not have strong moral convictions.  Bribes come as temptations. To overcome them, we must call on God to give us the strength and power to resist any offer to do anything illegal or wrong.   As Christians, we not only should refuse any kind of bribes, but we should also refuse anything that we know the Lord would disapprove of.  These were the instructions that God gave to His people, Israel, in the Old Testament:

Exodus 23:7-8:
7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

The Bible tells us that a bribe will blind our eyes and will twist the Word of God to try and rob us of our righteousness. The Word of God also states that judges and officers are also forbidden to take a gift from someone that would want them to judge in a certain way that would be favorable for them.  Judges and police officers must be honorable men if our judicial system is to work properly.  They are to stand in their offices without being a respecter of persons.  They are to judge and oversee with no partiality.  They must abide by the law and rule righteously according to the law and not personal preference.  Because sin is abounding in the world, the devil tempts judges and policemen to judge and act unfairly toward certain people.  In a Biblical judicial system all people should be treated fairly, no matter what color they are, what kind of background they come from, what religious beliefs they hold, or whether they are rich or poor. 

Deuteronomy 16:18-20:
18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

God is no respecter of people.  He is the ultimate good and righteous judge, and He will judge all men individually for their deeds and by their standing in Christ. He will be fair, as He has access to all hidden evidence and He knows who is guilty and who is innocent.  Men will not be able to lie when they come before God because knows what is in every man's heart and nothing is hidden from Him.  Yes, God, the Judge of all the earth shall do what is right.

Genesis 18:25: "That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

Our other verse in Proverbs is verse 9. This verse gives us a test to let us know if we are walking in God's love.  If we really do seek love, we will not only forgive an offense, but we will also cover it.  We will not go about repeating the incident and especially, we will not tell the matter to the friends of the one who committed the sin. It is evil to try to break up a good friendship. We are commanded to love and pray for those who offend us and give our hurts to the Lord and allow Him to remove them, and make things right in the situation. We only give strength to a bad situation when we continue to harp on it.  We must ask God to deliver us from gossip (repeating the matter) and unforgiveness (harboring the matter). We should never take up another's offense either.  We should encourage people to settle their differences between themselves, and not side with either party.  Certainly, we can side with what is right and Biblical. However, unless we are in a situation where we are directly involved in a disputed matter, the parties themselves should work them out according to the Word of God. We should pray and seek peace with all men, as much as lieth in us.

Romans 12:16-19:
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for teaching me Your Word.  Help me to always obey it as I know that You bless all who adhere to Your commandments.  Forgive me when I fail You, and give me the grace to forgive those who have offended and sinned against me.  Lord, help me guard my mouth, and not to repeat things that are not edifying to others.  Help me to be a peacemaker.  Lord, may I never be guilty of taking a bribe.  Lord, may all the gifts I give to others be totally given in love, with no strings attached to them. I do not want to be guilty of expecting someone to return a favor to me because I gave to them. Help us all to live as godly examples before our friends and family.  I ask this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.