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:
30 There is no
wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30-31 (AMP):
30 There is no wisdom or
understanding or counsel (that can prevail) against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are
of the Lord.
These scriptures in Proverbs
tell us that ultimately, no matter how formidable a battle looks, and no matter
how well prepared we might be, the outcome and victory of that battle rests in
our faith in the Lord and His capabilities. In verse 30 we are told
that none of man's wisdom and understanding is any match for the Lord.
There is a difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom. In fact, we
are given a definition of man's wisdom versus God's wisdom in James 3.
James 3:13-17
(AMP):
13 Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble
living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the
proper attribute] of true wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish
ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance
of and false to the Truth.
15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is
earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish
ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all
sorts of evil and vile practices.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is
peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to
reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and
straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and
insincerity).
In these
scriptures we see that man's wisdom is based on selfishness, while God's wisdom
is pure and impartial. God's wisdom will have a solution that is not only
fair to all, but will also be good for all. How wonderful it would be if all men
could trust God and obey His Word, then we would all get along. God calls
us each to die to our own desires and ways, and live for His.
In today's verses,
we are told that no matter how brilliant a man's plan might be, if it is not
based on the Word of God, it cannot prevail against the wisdom of God. Man's
wisdom will appear foolish in the sight of God. All plans of men are subject to
be changed, destroyed or cancelled because men are mortal and make mistakes,
change their minds, face unforeseen disasters, sickness, etc. All plans of God
are guaranteed success, if they are followed, as the scripture says in Romans
8:31b: "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
1 Corinthians
1:19-24 (KJV):
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to
nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?
hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it
pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the
Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of
God, and the wisdom of God.
In Verse 31 in
today's study, we see that even though an army prepares for battle by training
its men and horses, only the Lord can guarantee safety, deliverance and victory.
A horse is symbolic of our strength in warfare. It is not wrong to prepare
an army for the defense of our nation, because we live in a world of evil
men and we must be prepared to protect ourselves. This is true for all
emergency situations. We should be prepared, in case something happens, because we
live in a fallen world. However, we should remember that our real protection
comes from God. The Bible teaches that any nation who serves false gods and
fails to keep His commandments will fall. Since God is merciful, He gives all
men and nations time to repent before judgment comes upon them. Moses spoke
these words to the children of Israel, and they apply to us today, as well:
Deuteronomy
4:5-9:
5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God
commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in
the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely
this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD
our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so
righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the
things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the
days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons.
Psalm 33:12-17:
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath
chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the
earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not
delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his
great strength.
James 1:5: If
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
The bottom line is
this -- if we repent, and obey God, and ask Him for His wisdom, He will give it
to us. He will do this for us corporately as well, and spare us, as a nation,
from the judgment we deserve because we have turned away from Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your protection and blessing upon us in this land. Forgive us for
the many ways in which we have failed You and sinned against You. Lord, I am
reminded of Psalms 20:7 which says, "Some trust in chariots, and
some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Dear
Lord, I voice my trust in You, and declare that we shall be delivered as a
nation! Bring revival to our land and heal us. Work in my own heart,
and give me a more sacrificing spirit that will give up things I want to do and
do only Your will. Let revival begin in me. I ask this in the name of the
Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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