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 25:14 (KJV): Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Proverbs 25:14 (AMP): Whoever falsely boasts of gifts (he does not give) is like clouds and wind without rain.

Thoughts for the Day:

This verse from Proverbs makes a comparison between a man who boasts and lies about what he has done, with clouds and wind that come up and yet produce no rain.  When clouds and wind blow in and nothing happens to generate rain, it is like a big show of what is going to follow; yet, there are no results. A picture of empty clouds and brisk winds are used here to describe a person who either boasts about something he has not done, or lies about a gift he has not given, in order to bring attention to himself.  It is the same as using flattering words and making promises about what they will do, but they never come through. We call this type of person one who is "all talk and no show." People who do this sort of thing are usually manipulators who either want the praise of men, or they are scheming to get others to do something for them by making empty promises. The Bible warns us of these kinds of people and calls them hypocrites. 

In Christ's time, there were some Jewish religious leaders who were teachers of the law, who were called Pharisees. They had become prideful and legalistic. They were very concerned about their outward appearance, and wanted men to see how good they were. However, Jesus looked into their hearts and saw that they were impure and wicked. He called these Pharisees hypocrites, which means a person who pretends to be something that they are not.

Luke 11:39-44:
39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?
41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

These Pharisees looked very good on the outside, as they were careful to give alms (prayers) and to tithe of their income, even including the harvest of their herb crops of mint and rue. However, the Lord told them, yes, they should give and pray, but the greater laws of love and merciful judgment they had not done. He also admonished them for their pride of wanting favored position and desiring men to notice them.

Throughout the Bible, Jesus always had stern warnings for those who were hypocrites, because they were dishonest people making a show to be good. Although He dealt strongly with this sort of person, He always dealt kindly with those who recognized they were fallen sinners, no matter how great their sin was. God listens to a person with an honest heart and will not turn the most wicked and vile person away from salvation, if they come to Him repentant and with an honest heart.

Luke 18:9-14:
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your great mercy to me personally and to all men who call upon You.  Father, I desire to have a good and honest heart, so please convict me of all deception and pride so that I may repent of it and be free from these two evils. Help me to always be honest and never try to pretend about anything I have done. Forgive me for yielding to pride, and deliver me from trying to please men, instead of pleasing You.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.