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 18:17-18(KJV):
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

Proverbs 18:17-18(Amp):
17 He who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.
18 To cast lots puts an end to disputes, and decides between powerful contenders.

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs deals with many aspects of relationships.  These verses talk about contentions and disputes.  Verse 17 tells of two neighbors who are rivals over a dispute and the first one comes and presents his case, it seems very convincing until he is cross-examined by the other one.  We must always remember when someone is telling their side of a story, that there is always the other side to that same story.  Being in the ministry for years, and counseling people for much of that time, my husband and I would listen to married couples who were considering divorcing their mates.  We would always insist that the other mate be brought in so we could hear their side of the story.   Most of the time, we were shocked after hearing the other side.  They didn't even sound like they could possibly be the one the other described. Each one described an entirely different person than the one sitting in front of us.

After listening to both people individually, we proceeded to bring them together to share the Word of God with them and spend the remainder of the time praying with them.  We would then have each of them pray for the other asking forgiveness of all wrongs on both sides.   From that point on, after we had patiently listened to both sides of their problems, we did not allow any old things to be brought up, as the key to the healing of any relationship is not to dwell on the past, but to go forward in love and forgiveness building up one another in love. (1 Peter 3).

Verse 18 states that some problems between contenders who both feel they have not been treated fairly is to cast lots and let that settle the issue. In modern understanding a "lot" was an object used to decide a matter by chance, a number of these being placed in a container. The lots themselves varied in size, shape or color and were drawn or cast out at random to determine the choice in question. In the Bible world of the Old Testament, this method of deciding portentous questions was used widely. Our modern day equivalent would be that of "drawing straws."  This is done by taking a number of small straws of different lengths of which are lined up even on the top while the bottom part of the straws are covered from sight usually in someone's hand. There is a straw for each person who will be in the pool for selection.  All parties decide before the drawing that the one who gets the shortest or longest straw will be the one chosen for a certain task.   After predetermining whether it will be the longest or shortest straw, all then leave the drawing to chance which makes it fair. Those participating cannot complain as this kind of selection was not done by a vote. The same is true with the "lot." Many times, powerful contenders are both appeased when an issue is settled in this manner.

We are commanded as God's children to live in harmony with our mates, family and friends. This is only possible as we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. We are to avoid disputes and wrangling and display the love of God in our affairs.

Philippians 2:14-15:
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, we do appreciate your patience and love toward us.  May we show this same love to those around us; especially  to those with whom we might have a disagreement.  Lord, grant us grace to be gracious and not get into contention with others. Lord, remove murmuring and disputing from our hearts and let us be joyful and peace makers.  Father, guard our tongues that we do not say things that we will later regret.  Forgive us when we fail you and give us Your grace to forgive others who have hurt us. We ask this in your son, Jesus' name. Amen.