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
25:15 (KJV): By long
forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Proverbs
25:15 (AMP): By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is
persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.
Thoughts for the Day:
This verse
from Proverbs tells us that it will take much patience
to persuade a ruler or judge to change his mind, but it can be done if one is
humble and soft spoken in their presentation. How we approach people is very
important, and especially when we approach someone who is in a position of
authority. We must be wise if we want to be heard. Those who are angry and cause
a scene will only be drug away, as that is not the way to influence a prince
(ruler).
We can approach
those in leadership with demeaning, angry and threatening words and that kind of
approach will only be met with resistance. The proper way is to come with
calmness of spirit when we have an issue that we would like to see changed.
If we use soft and kind words, we are more likely to gain an audience and
listening ear. Then, we must continue to follow up with patience until we
can effect a change. Some issues simply will not be settled overnight so
it takes long forbearing to make a difference. We use a term today when we
tackle a project and that is that we are in for "the long haul."
Words are
powerful. God used words to create the earth when he said, "Let there be
light ---Let there be firmament ---Let the earth bring forth grass, etc." in
Genesis 1. Words are creative. Good words create an atmosphere of
love. On the other hand, evil words create the opposite kind of environment,
one that is offensive. God Himself, created the world by the words that He
spoke. In the beginning He spoke and it was so.
Genesis 1:3: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Proverbs 13:3: He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that
openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
If we
allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives by asking Him to fill our
mouths with His Word, we shall live the abundant life. The Bible states
that God's Words and commandments are life. When we
speak them and live by them, we shall experience that life. God's Words
are eternal and they shall never pass away. If God said it, then we can
trust Him that it is true. He cannot lie.
Mark 13:31: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not
pass away.
Luke 4:4: And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
If we
align our words with the Word of God we shall be blessed, however if we
just allow anything to come out of our mouths, Verse 3
in Proverbs 13 tells us that it will cause us ruin. We
must guard our mouths and not allow the devil to use our mouths to speak
evil things that bring destruction on ourselves and others. We can be
cursing others by speaking wrong things against them or about them. Let
us ask God to help us keep our mouths from saying wrong things even as
David did in the book of Psalms.
Psalm 141:3: Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my
lips.
Proverbs 15:1-2:
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools
poureth out foolishness.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for Your Word and Your faithfulness to keep it. Lord, may I be
one who keeps my word also. Father, I also ask You to help me guard what
comes out of my mouth. May my words be gracious to others and also words of
faith and kindness. Lord, when I am trying to convince someone about You
or Your Word, may I be gracious about it, trusting You to break down any
defensiveness that they may have. Give me love and patience while I am
witnessing and sharing with others who do not know You. I ask this in the name
of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
|