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 26:18-19 (KJV):
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Proverbs 26:18-19 (AMP):
18 Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses from Proverbs tell us that a man who deceives his neighbor, and then claims it was a joke, is like a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death. Men live and die by words (spoken and written) and all words have power to them.  Truthful  words, spoken in faith, will bring about good results, while evil and dishonest words, spoken in anger and deceit, will produce bad things. The Bible warns us of this over and over throughout its pages. The words that we speak will produce the kind of fruit we shall eat -- good or evil.

Proverbs 18:20-21:
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

The scripture below tells us that there are many different kinds of voices in the world, but every one of them has significance.

1 Corinthians 14:7-10:
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

If our words have significance, then we need to choose them carefully. We need to line up our words with the Word of God and agree with His idea about the matters at hand. Solomon made the supplication below to God as he was dedicating the temple to Him. By reading it, we can see that Solomon requested that God would listen, not only  to the prayers of His people, but that He would also hear the cries all of the distressed and hurting.

2 Chronicles 6:28-31:
28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
29 Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

Below we read God's reply to Solomon's request.

2 Chronicles 7:12-15:
12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

Notice God addressed His answer to Solomon and His people, not the sinners. Today, if we want to see our land healed from the evil that is in it, then we must follow God's instructions to humble ourselves. Then we must ask God to forgive us, and pray and seek Him with our whole hearts, and turn from our wicked ways. Only then can we see our land healed of its wickedness.

Today's verses compare a man who practices deceit against his neighbor and then tries to make light of it, to a man who is mad.  There are many madmen today who are angry and dishonest and are spewing out dishonest words that are deadly.  We must ask God for discernment in order to recognize those who are lying, and not believe everything we hear, lest we embrace a lie ourselves.  It is very serious to accuse people and then try to lightly dismiss it. When someone lies, they should own up to it and make it right to the offended party.

Ephesians 5:1- 7:
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, We are grateful that You are trustworthy and we want to be like You.  Lord, may our words in the world, line up with Your Words in the Bible.  Lord, we want to act with integrity in all of our ways. May we always be honest in our dealings with all people.  Give us discernment when others are lying to us, so that we do not get trapped into any unholy alliances.  Lord, let us be good and loving neighbors so that our neighbors will desire to know You by the demonstration of our lives in this world.  I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.