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 20:4-5 (KJV):
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 20:4-5 (AMP):
4 The sluggard will not plow when winter sets in; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Thoughts for the Day:

In today's Proverbs we are told why some men have nothing. We are also told that it will take some effort if we desire to understand what is in a man's heart. In verse 4 we find a statement about a sluggard. What does the word "sluggard" mean?  It comes from the same root word that our word "sluggish" comes from. It has the meaning of one being slow or lazy; actually a habitually lazy person.

The observation made here is that when it gets uncomfortable or difficult, a person who is lazy will cease to work. When the weather is cold, they do not want to work.  A good farmer knows that he must take care of his soil in the winter, as well as summer.  We know that certain crops will not grow in the winter; however, the soil still must be plowed and laid to rest after the fall harvest so that a spring crop can be planted early.  This entails working in the fall as winter is setting in, as well as working the ground in late winter and early spring for a summer crop.  There are also crops that do grow in the winter, such as wheat.

Those who are lazy and do not sow, will not reap a harvest and they will be reduced to begging from others or be dependant on someone else to feed them.  Any people who are not taught a proper work ethic will end up a poor people who go hungry.  In fact, the Bible even declares that those who do not work, should not eat if they are lazy busybodies and they engage in disorderly conduct.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12:
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

There is also another scripture that teaches the same principal of overcoming hardship or difficulties in order to sow.  Perseverance  is a virtue that is necessary if we are to be successful in any endeavor.

Ecclesiastes 11:4: "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."

The principal of sowing and reaping in the natural can also be applied to spiritual things.  We must be persistent in order to reap a blessing. In fact, the Lord encourages us to not give up just because we do not receive an answer right away.  We must keep on asking, seeking, and knocking and eventually the way will be opened unto us.

Matthew 7:7-12:
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

In Proverbs 20:5 we are also told that if we really want to understand the purposes (counsel) in another's heart, we can, if we seek God for understanding.  Only God knows what is in another's heart and if we ask Him for discernment, He will give us the understanding of the "deep wells" (or innermost being) of a person's heart when we need to know.

God will let us see another's soul if we pray and seek Him.  The purpose being if someone has evil motives, He wants us to  know about it and avoid being entrapped in a wrong situation.  On the positive side, the Lord also shows us those who have godly counsel and wisdom so that we may pay attention to it also.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for allowing us to work.  It is a blessing to labor and then receive the fruit of our labor.  Help us to overcome any laziness and procrastination that would keep us from receiving the things You want us to have.  Lord, we also ask You to give us a spirit of discernment so that we might not be fooled or manipulated by others.  Also, help us to recognize Your voice in Your servants who have godly counsel and wisdom that we should heed.  I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.