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 4:20-22(KJV):  "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs continues its admonition for us to listen to, and obey the Words of God. "Attend to my words" simply means to pay attention to God's Words. We can hear the Word of God without really hearing it. In verse 20, "incline thine ear" means to listen with our spiritual ears or listen with the ear of our hearts. Many times in the New Testament, before Jesus would speak to a group of people, He would say these words: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 4:9-12 : "And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

Jesus knew none of us could hear what He is saying in the spirit, unless we come to Him with a right heart attitude; one that is willing to hear. We must desire to listen to what He is saying. That is why those that do not know Jesus, can read the Bible and not understand it.  They may agree it is a history book, a poetic book, or a story book, but they cannot really understand it until they are converted.  For one to be converted, they must come to God with an humble heart that is willing to repent of their sins and give their life to Jesus, God's son.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was nailed to a cross by ungodly men for no sin of His own. He was an innocent man-- the only man who was ever perfect and sinless. He never sinned, yet He took your sins and mine by taking an unjust death. Because He did this willingly, He was raised from the dead by His Father and given life and authority over the powers of darkness. God now imparts that same life and authority to all those who come receiving His provision for their sin. "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7)

We must accept God's Word that says we all are sinners, and know that it is sin that separates us from God, and repent or "turn away" from that sin and be converted. Until we each acknowledge, and ask forgiveness for our own guilt, we will never be free from it. It will eventually lead us right into hell. It is not God's will that any should perish in hell.

"The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9)

Proverbs 4:21 tells us that we should not only read God's Word diligently, but we should also hide His Word in our hearts. If we desire to grow in faith and wisdom, and be pleasing to God, we must read and apply God's Word to every thing in our lives. If we do this, verse 22 tells us that we will experience true life.  That life is not just a spiritual encounter, although spiritual rebirth is a glorious experience.  By understanding and applying God's Word in our lives, we can also have health in our flesh or physical bodies. The Lord wants to make us whole -- spirit, soul and body! 

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad that you gave up Your son, Jesus, so that I could know You and be saved from hell. I do not understand why You did it, but I am very grateful for the gift of eternal life. I rejoice that my name is written in the "Book of Life." Lord, I need to read and study Your Word more. Help me give up the things that are robbing me of the time I need to be spending with you. I know if I put prayer and Bible study first, then You will make a way for me to take care of all my pressing responsibilities. Things just go better when I take the time to spend with You.  I also thank you for health in my body. I am grateful You are not only my savior, but my healer as well.  I ask for strength and health today so that I might serve You and those around me. In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.