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 20:2-3 (KJV):
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Proverbs 20:2-3 (AMP):
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger or angers himself against him sins against his own life.
3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will be quarreling.

Thoughts for the Day:

The wisdom in Proverbs deals not only with wisdom for our practical living but there are also many civil issues that it also addresses. Verse 2 talks about how we should approach a king.  To apply this verse in our contemporary society, it would relate to the way we should approach those in authority.  There are many offices in our society that are kingly positions.  These are positions that have been given the authority to rule over certain areas of the society. 

The Bible tells us that we are to respect these offices.  Granted, not all who fill these offices are godly people; however, the Lord wants us to be respectful toward the office even if the person in the office does not merit that respect.  If we anger those in office, we are simply going to make it hard on us. Some people have done this even to the loss of their own lives.  John the Baptist in the New Testament was one of those who angered the queen, thus in turn, he brought the king's wrath against him which cost him his life. 

Mark 6:17-28:
17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.   

Perhaps John's lack of wisdom in attacking the king and queen cost him his life. In spite of his plight, the Lord honored him calling him a great man of God.  We can be sure even if we do unwise things, the Lord loves us and is pleased that we would speak up and serve Him in spite of the persecution that comes when we do.  Notice in the scripture below, it states that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence;  we are not to be cowardly when this happens, but we are to stand and in the spirit of prayer violently attack the forces of darkness that are arrayed against us. 

Matthew 11:11-12:
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

This does not mean we are to attack people, but rather we are to attack the spirits of darkness that are influencing the people who are bringing evil against us. Our battle is not against people, but rather against spirits of darkness.  The Lord gave us the authority to overcome these spirits through prayer and obedience to Him.

Ephesians 6:12-13:
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1 John 3:8: "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

The Lord wants us to overcome evil with good and thereby destroy the works of the devil. In verse 3 of Proverbs 20, we are admonished to avoid strife and quarreling.  In fact, the Bible declares that it brings honor to Him when we avoid anger and accusation against others.  Prayer and love will do more to remedy the situation.  Strife will bring breaches in our relationships which can be difficult to mend. This verse says it brings honor to us when we keep away from fussing with others.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Words of wisdom in the Bible. Lord, please help us to avoid anger and strife toward others.  Give us Your spirit of love and a burden to pray for those that come against us or try to stir up trouble with us.  Lord, You be our umpire in matters where we disagree with others.  Help us to have an humble attitude toward You and the people around us, yet maintain a vigilant and forceful prayer life against the powers of darkness that cause people to stir up trouble.  Help us to fight our battles in the spirit and not in the flesh.  May You bring us the victories that we need.  We command the devil to leave with his attacks in the name of Jesus!! I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.