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 26:10-11 (KJV):
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

Proverbs 26:10-11 (YOUNG'S):
10 Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors,
11 As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses from Proverbs tell us that since God has formed all things, He will justly reward the transgressors and also fools, as they are like dogs who return to their own vomit. Sometimes people are concerned about sinners who seemingly are not suffering for the wicked things they have done to others. Verse 10 assures us that God will deal with transgressors and fools, and because He is a just God, it will be a just and fair sentencing.  Since He created the entire universe, and all mankind, He certainly is capable of dealing with the ones who rebel against Him. In fact, the Bible states God is the Judge of the whole earth and He will deal with the righteous and the wicked in a just and right manner.

Genesis 18:25: That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

As Christians, we are not to try and get even, or take vengeance upon anyone who hurts us, as we are to look to God to make sure that those who are wicked are dealt with appropriately.  Because God is a great God of love, the first thing He tries to do is to reach those lost in sin.  He wants His children to help in that commission by praying for them, and reaching out to them in love.  In that process, we sometimes will be persecuted and suffer in God's behalf.  Should wicked people not respond, after much long suffering toward them, then God allows them to reap what they have been sowing, and thus His judgment comes upon them.  He is the one that will administer vengeance, not us.

Hebrews 10:30-31:
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Psalm 1:5-6:
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Verse 11 in today's study tells us that a rebellious fool will repeat the same sins that are making him sick over and over again, just like a dog returns to his own vomit. Another scripture in the New Testament tells us the same thing, only this is a warning to those who have been cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and then they have gone back to the very sin from which God had set them free.

2 Peter 2:20-22:
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

The only way a fool can be redeemed is to turn to God and repent and ask Him to deliver them from the sins that have brought them into such a low estate as a dog or pig. God is gracious and will never turn a repentant heart away. He will help and deliver them from evil addictions that keep them wallowing in the filth of sin. God will in no way cast out a truly repentant soul.

John 6:35-37:
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful that You are a just and fair Judge of all of us.  Help me not to judge others, but to pray for those who would sin against me or others.  Lord, I trust You to take care of those who persecute me and come against me. I ask You to forgive them, and bring them into the knowledge of Your dear Son.  I especially pray for those who are bound in addictions and ask that You set them free so that they may serve You and find peace in their souls. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen.