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 31:1-3 (KJV): 1 The words of king Lemuel,
the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Proverbs 31:1-3 (AMP):
1 The
words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What (shall I advise you), son of my vows
and dedication to God?
3 Give not your strength to (loose) women, nor your ways to those who and that
which ruin and destroy kings.
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses
from Proverbs are
advice given to a king by his mother to keep him from ruining his life and
destroying his position. Lemuel is thought possibly to have been another name
for Solomon (a similar usage to our modern day nicknames). As a young
man, Solomon was a man of splendid character, and much of this was because of his
mother's (Bathsheba's) influence. This chapter begins with a conversation
between his mother and him. In speaking to him, she asks the question as
to what kind of advice she should give him in verse 2.
She also mentions that he is a son of her vows, which means she has dedicated him
to the Lord. God has used many children in great ways over the centuries,
as other mothers made these same vows.
Susanna Wesley was such a woman and her two sons,
John and Charles, were responsible for touching the lives of many people.
John Wesley was the founder of Methodism,
while his brother, Charles, wrote over 9000 hymns and poems.
The year 2003 marked the 300th anniversary of
the birth of John Wesley. His life is still influencing people today and Susanna
receives much of the credit for her faithfulness as a dedicated mother, who
taught her children in the ways of the Lord.
Another great
woman of prayer in the Bible also dedicated her son to God, and he was used in
a mighty way in the days when the light of God was burning low during Israel's
history. Her name was Hannah, and her son served as the great prophet,
Samuel.
1 Samuel
1:20-28:
20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had
conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I
have asked him of the LORD.
21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the
yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until
the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the
LORD, and there abide for ever.
23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until
thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and
gave her son suck until she weaned him.
24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks,
and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of
the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that
stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked
of him:
28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be
lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
Women who pray and
dedicate their children to the Lord are also the kind of women who instruct
their children in the Word of God, and the ways of the Lord. The first
instruction that Lemuel is given by his mother in Proverbs 31:3 is for
him to stay away from loose women. She also warns him to stay away from all
bad companions that would ruin or destroy his life. We need to remember, as
this woman did, it is our responsibility to warn our children of the dangers of
hanging out with the wrong crowd. Also, there are warnings in the Bible to
young people to stay away from habitual sinners. There is an old saying stating that,
"Birds of a feather flock together." If we do not want to be like the kinds of
people that are evil, we must not be buddies with them, nor allow our children
to buddy with them. There is another saying, "If you play with fire, you will get
burned." Young people, and older people as well, cannot entertain the notion that
you can be close to wickedness and not find yourself being drug into the same
wicked deeds that they do. If we do not resist evil, it will soon overtake us.
Smaller sins eventually lead to bigger ones.
This mother knew
if her son was to remain a king, he must act with integrity, and be careful who he
chose to be his
friends. There are three temptations that can bring a good man down. These are
the misuse of wealth, and the tendency of pride because of fame, and the
involvement with the wrong women. These are especially true for a king
or anyone who is in a position of authority.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the many women over the years who have dedicated their children to
the Lord, and those children have, in turn, served You. May I, and all
mothers, realize the awesome responsibility and opportunity we have to raise our
children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Use our children in
Your kingdom and cause them to become strong Christian witnesses. May they speak
the Word of the Lord, even as we speak and teach the Word to them. Use
them as Your humble servants and keep them from evil. I ask this in the
name of the Lord, Jesus. Amen.
