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
29:18 (KJV): Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that
keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18 (AMP): Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation
of God), the people perish; but he who keeps the law (of God, which includes
that of man) --blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.
Thoughts for the Day:
This verse
from Proverbs tells us when there is no vision and
revelation from God, that a people will perish. Also, it states that the keeping
of the laws of God will bring blessings to a society. Down through history, when
the light of God was burning dimly, we can see this truth confirmed. Perhaps the
most infamous time was during the Dark Ages.
Anytime the gospel
is silenced, the world suffers for it. God is light, and His light brings the
revelation of the good news of the gospel which liberates people. The revelation
of Biblical truths and the practice of them always make possible an orderly and
civilized society. Without this vision of the gospel, people perish and
are destroyed by the devil who likes to keep people in the dark.
There was also a
time recorded in the Bible where there was no open vision of the Lord. It
was in the days of Samuel when the glory of the Lord departed from Israel. When
God's vision and revelation depart, then the days become dark indeed.
1 Samuel 3:1:
And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the
LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
The Bible also
prophesied a day of darkness and famine, not a famine of food, but one of not
being able to hear the Word of the Lord.
Amos 8:11-12:
11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the
land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of
the LORD:
12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east,
they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
When the Bible's
influence is strong in a society, it will affect all aspects of that culture in
a positive way. The opposite is also true -- when a society turns its back on
God, it will begin to reflect evil in its cultural choices. People that come
against true Christianity don't realize they are coming against the very
influences that make life pleasant in this earth. (Please note that everyone
who claims to be a Christian may not truly be one, as many come in Christ's name,
but are not keeping His commandments.)
The laws and
commandments that God gives us to live by are given to us so that we might live
a good life in this earth. The keeping of these laws does not get us to heaven;
only faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ will do that. However, the
keeping of God's laws brings harmony to the earth. If we are a true Christian,
we will be striving to keep the rules of the Bible to please God. God's vision
and revelation come to a people who are seeking and obeying Him. Sharing that
vision with others will keep them from perishing.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for giving us Your revelation and vision. I do appreciate the
light You give me as I am walking in a dark and fallen world. Lord, fill
me with the Holy Spirit so that I will always be filled with Your light and
love. Draw those who do not know You, unto that light. Fill my mouth with
the right words so that those who do not know You can hear the gospel and come
into the knowledge of Your dear Son, Jesus. May I practice good deeds in this
life, so that others may see them and thereby bring glory unto You. I ask this in
the name of Jesus. Amen.
