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 18:11-12(KJV):
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 18:11-12(Amp):
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall, in his own imagination and conceit.
12 Haughtiness comes before disaster, and humility before honor.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses in Proverbs warn of a downfall, when there is misplaced trust in riches. The Lord is our refuge and protection. We can run to Him, as into a strong high tower and find our safety. Verse 11 says that the rich man looks not to the Lord for safety, but looks to his wealth as his strong city. In the mind of many a rich man, his imagination and conceit tells him he is invincible because of his money. He tends to think that money is the answer to all of his problems, and that money will get him out of any threatening circumstance. However, many men find that their wealth easily slips away from them through bad business deals and stock market failures. Floods, droughts, storms and fires may destroy their businesses and homes. Insurance may cover some of their losses, but often what is lost can never be recuperated.

Many a wealthy man has discovered that his "high protecting walls to his strong city" have tumbled down. Some men fall into pride and haughtiness before they ever experience loss. They may have felt in their hearts that they were responsible for their great success and prosperity. They believed that their success was because they were so intelligent and smart. They attributed their accomplishments to their own abilities and hard work. Of course, personal commitment and hard work will bring rewards; however, when any one leaves God out of the equation, he is headed for a fall. Verse 12 says that haughtiness leads to destruction. Many fail to recognize that if they did not have God's grace and mercy over their lives, they would not be able to achieve the things that they do.

Money cannot buy health. Yet, many take good health for granted and never thank God for their blessing of freedom from sickness. They also fail to realize that good mental health is a blessing too. When we are able to walk free of depression and lay down at night and enjoy a peaceable night's sleep, this is a blessing from God. Ask anyone who suddenly loses any of these things if money can replace them. That "strong city" has suddenly been invaded and they will need God's help to overcome the loss of health and well being. Men and women who have trusted in their material possessions will find when they lose them, that much misery will come upon them.

James 5:1-3:
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Men who have taken pride in their possessions and accomplishments will find that "pride goeth before a fall." However, those that are humble, and attribute their success to God in their lives, will find that honor will be bestowed upon them.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for teaching me that true wealth is found in You. Lord, truly, Christ is all that we need. Having a relationship with You will bring the answer to any problem I may face. I can trust You to supply all my needs because You promised to take care of me. There is such freedom in this knowledge. I know that every day my needs shall be met in You. Lord, help all my friends and family to rest in Your promises too. Strengthen us to trust You daily. I know when I am weak, You are strong. May we all look to You for our answers. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.