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 17:13-15(KJV):
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 17:13(Amp):
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles (from a crack in a dam); therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both an abomination -- exceedingly disgusting and hateful -- to the Lord.

Thoughts for the Day:

This set of verses in Proverbs warns us to be careful when evaluating good and evil, because if we support and reward an evil cause it will bring evil back upon us. We are also told to avoid strife and contention, as a wise man will seek peace and unity. Verse 13 has a strong admonition for us to never reward evil for good.  This could come in many forms.  If someone is doing a good work and another, who is jealous comes along, and does evil to that person, they are inviting evil in their own house as the Bible says we reap what we sow.

Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Isaiah 5:20-24:
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Verse 15 tells us that it is an abomination to God to justify the wicked. In the same way, it is also evil to condemn the righteous.   People who make fun of those who are doing godly works are opening a door for evil to come into their own lives. We are told not only to do good deeds ourselves, but to help those who are doing good works. We must be very careful about coming against anything that is good and righteous, lest we commit something that is an abomination to God. We should repent if we have been guilty of doing this, so that we do not come under the curse of evil resting on our own house.

Verse 14 also tells us to resist quarreling and contention with others.  This verse describes how strife can start with just small unkind words and end up in a bitter quarrel, just as a small crack in a dam can eventually lead to the whole dam breaking. We are told to stop contention.  How do we do this?   One way is that we can learn to keep our mouth shut and not speak things that trigger quarrels with others.  Another way is to stay humble before others as the Bible says contention comes only by pride.

Proverbs 13:10: "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."

If we are willing to take an humble position and keep a proper attitude toward those we disagree with, we can avoid contention.  The Bible says this is using wisdom.  Certainly we are not to compromise our position when it agrees with the Word of God; however, we can approach those who disagree with us with an humble attitude instead of being prideful and demeaning toward others.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful for the wonderful ways in which You take care of me.  I do appreciate Your watchcare over my family and friends. Lord, I do desire to remain humble in my dealings with others who oppose me. Give me Your grace and wisdom when I must handle controversy. May I be humble when I am tested in this way and trust You to defend me instead of getting into contention with others.  Lord, bless those who are reading this today and strengthen them to do Your will.  I ask this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.