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 17:19-21(KJV):
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Proverbs 17:19-21(Amp):
19 He who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself in guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction.
20 He who has a wayward and crooked mind finds no good, and he who has a willful and contrary tongue will fall into calamity.
21 He who becomes the parent of a (self-confident) fool does it to his sorrow, and the father of (an empty-headed) fool has no joy (in him).

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses in Proverbs describe the condition of those who are wayward transgressors and perverse fools.  Verse 19 states that those who love to sin and enjoy strife are seeking destruction. This is not talking about those who occasionally fall into sin and repent, as the Lord will help those people overcome their weaknesses.  However, those who run toward evil will find it and eventually be destroyed. 

This verse also states that those who raise high their gate are inviting destruction. What does this mean? It can be referring to those who leave the gate to their houses open all the time, thus inviting the wrong kind of people into their homes. We must shut our homes at night and be discreet about who we invite into them.  We do not want to tempt others to come in, by boasting and not being discreet about what we have.  It can also be referring to the gate of our lips.  When we open wide the gate of our mouths, we invite destruction into our lives. We must be wise and speak those things that will turn the enemy away.  One example would be if we speak softly to someone who is railing at us, we will not stir up his wrath against us.

Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

Proverbs 17:20 tells us that our keeping our mind and our mouth are important. Those who allow their thoughts to turn to evil will end up doing no good.  Also a man who has a rebellious tongue will surely stir up things in his life that will cause him calamity.  A perverse mind and a foul mouth pave the way for mischief and many troubles.  We need the Holy Spirit to help us guard our minds and our mouths so that we speak edifying things that bless others, and in turn, we shall then be blessed.

Verse 21 relates the sorrow a father will have when he has a son who is a rebel.  A foolish son will bring much sorrow to his parents as he is always getting into trouble. The word fool in the Bible is referring to one who is in rebellion.  He stays in trouble and causes his parents much grief, as has decided to go his own way.  The parents truly can have no joy in a son or daughter like that.  The Bible tells children that they are to honor their father and mother so that their days will be long upon the earth.  A child who disobeys his parents opens the door for the enemy to destroy him and cut his life short.  Children on the other hand, who obey their parents will avoid many of the traps of the devil and will end up living long and blessed lives. 

Ephesians 6:1-3:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for our parents.  Lord, it is a blessing to have parents who care about you.  May we always honor them as You have told us to do.  Lord, I pray for our young people; may they have respect and obedience toward their parents.  Lord, help us to guard our mouths and speak only the things that are good and edifying.  Let us all seek peace and be peace makers.  Deliver us from any rebellion and may we walk in love with our families and our friends and co-workers.  I ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.