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 25:20 (KJV):  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Proverbs 25:20 (AMP): He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda.

Thoughts for the Day:

This verse from Proverbs tells us that we should be sensitive as to how we are to minister to those who are depressed. In this verse we are told that someone who sings songs (making light of the predicament of one who is sorrowful of heart), is equivalent of a person who would take away a coat in cold weather or as bad as mixing vinegar with soda.  Obviously, if someone took a coat away from a person who was out in cold weather, it would be causing more misery to the person.  The result of mixing vinegar with soda is a chemical reaction that takes place that produces a hot bubbling effect between the two of them, and the fumes from this mixture can be irritating.  This analogy is given so that we will be sensitive to those who need comfort and compassion and not come with the wrong approach of singing songs to them. We have an expression that fits this well -- it would be like "pouring salt into a wound." The New Testament also has a scripture that admonishes us along these same lines.

Romans 12:15: Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

We are to enter into our brothers' and sisters' sorrows, as well as their joys, by allowing our hearts to be touched under both circumstances. When someone is hurting, we should do all that we can to bring comfort and hope to them.  When they are rejoicing over their blessings, we should also rejoice with them. Even people in the world understand this concept, as they celebrate at weddings and mourn at funerals. The Bible tells us that there is a time and season for everything -- weeping, as well as laughing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4:
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

As Christians, we do have an advantage over those who do not have Christ in their hearts when it comes to a time of weeping.  Our weeping and mourning will eventually be turned into joy because we have our faith in Christ and our hope and future in reaching heaven. Our sorrow is temporal, and not eternal, like those who are lost. Jesus will remove all grief and sorrow from our souls if we come to Him and ask Him to do it for us. In exchange for our sorrow, He gives us a supernatural peace that is past our understanding. 

Philippians 4:6b-7:
6 ...but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As Christians, eventually when we enter heaven, there will be no more sorrow, death or pain, as God shall wipe away the tears from our eyes. We shall be reunited with those loved ones who knew Christ. We shall see them again and rejoice together in heaven. That is the promise of all those who have made Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives.

Revelation 21:3-4:
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

John 16:33:                                                                                                                                               These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your wonderful promise of peace and comfort when I need it.  You have lifted sorrow from me many times in my life. I am truly grateful, as I would not have been able to bear it without the strength and comfort of the Holy Spirit. May I be sensitive to those who are hurting, and reach out and bring that same comfort to them. I am thankful that we shall see all of our loved ones in Christ once again, when we all get to heaven. How wonderful it is to have the hope that is ours as Your children. Blessed be Your name!  I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.