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 28:10-12 (KJV):
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

Proverbs 28:10-12 (AMP):
10 Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, he will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes and conceit, but the poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the (uncompromisingly) righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise (to power), men hide themselves.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses from Proverbs make a comparison between the righteous and the wicked, telling us that the wicked will fall into their own pit. They also tell us that the poor man with understanding, has an advantage over the conceited rich man, as he will catch the evil man in his plots. Also, when the righteous triumph, men celebrate; however, when the wicked rise to power, good men will find ways to hide themselves from the wicked men's plots.

Verse 10 issues a warning to people who cause the righteous to go astray in an evil way - they will fall into their own pit, while the upright shall have a good inheritance. People who peddle drugs and evil merchandise would fall into that category. Cigarettes offered to children is another example of causing the innocent and righteous to go astray. Evil men who exploit little children by using them for pornographic pictures are in a class of unspeakable wickedness that deserves death. The Bible talks about this in the New Testament.

Matthew 18:5-7:
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Verse 11 talks about how rich men become conceited, and in that state, they sometimes think they are invincible, as they believe their money will buy them out of any situation.  However, a poor person who follows God has a greater advantage than the rich man.  The Lord will give poor men who listen to Him, the understanding and wisdom they need to be able to find out the schemes of the wicked wealthy. Evil men throughout the ages have always attempted to use their money and their power for their own selfish agendas. However, the Bible says that the Lord can bring all men down, when they abuse their position.

Psalm 75:6-7:
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Verse 12 in today's study tells us that there is celebration when good men and women come to power, while men hide themselves from wicked leadership. When wicked men rule, they are not fair and just.  They will use their position to remove those people that they do not like. In very wicked countries, they just have them murdered, while in other countries, wicked rulers may just remove them from their offices and places of authority. This is why this verse says that when the wicked rise to power, men hide themselves. They must protect their lives and their belongings, as wicked people always seek to destroy others for their own agendas.  People rejoice when gracious and righteous leadership is over them.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for good and righteous leaders in our businesses, in our cities and in our nations. Lord, remove those who are wicked, so that righteousness might reign in the earth. Father, cleanse our societies of those who prey on the weak, the helpless, and the innocent children. Deliver us from evil. May Your kingdom come in the earth, as it is in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name, and in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.