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 31:4-7 (KJV):
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Proverbs 31:4-7 (AMP):
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink,
5 Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink (as medicine) to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and (seriously) remember his want and misery no more.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses from Proverbs are a mother's advice to her son, who is king, and she warns of the danger of drinking wine and strong drink because it causes one to forget what the law requires, and pervert justice, especially in the cause of those who are afflicted.  The only time, according to these verses, that alcohol is recommended is when a person is in pain or extreme distress, and then it can be administered medicinally. Even today, we find alcohol as an ingredient in a number of prescription compounds, and they can be used for good, when the situation calls for it; however, this mother knew that to be a wise king, it would be best to avoid drinking wine and alcohol altogether.

Drinking alcohol has perverted the judgment of many people, causing great heartache for those who are its victims. This was a wise mother who gave this advice. Drinking wine was popular during Bible days and many references are made to this act. Does the Bible say it is sinful to drink wine?  The answer to this question is that the wine itself is not sinful, because sin is in the heart of man and does not exist in any object of itself.  It is the drunkenness and intoxication that come about, when a man drinks too much, that causes him to sin. The Bible teaches discipline and moderation; even eating too much food is a sin and is called the sin of gluttony in the Bible.

The problem with drinking wine or strong drink is that it causes poor judgment and also changes many people's personalities. Men can end up raging and brawling and doing things in a drunken stupor that are very unwise and that they will also regret. The Bible does make a distinction, as to the affect that strong drinks (alcoholic beverages like whiskey, vodka, etc.) have on a person, as opposed to wine, showing that the strong alcoholic drinks are far worse at causing men to become out of their heads and violent. The wine is bad enough, as it can cause men to lose their senses due to their inebriation.

So what should our position be as Christians, since we know the many sorrows that drunkenness causes?  We know that alcoholism is responsible for many broken homes because of the abusive behavior toward family and others. We know the many deaths on our highways caused by drinking and driving. What about the many premature deaths caused by health problems stemming from alcoholism? Yes, drunkenness is a very evil sin that hurts the whole nation. The Bible says all drunkards who do not repent will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Although a Christian may be free to drink moderately as long as they do not become drunk, is that the highest and wisest thing we should do?  Paul stated in the New Testament that he would not allow his liberty to be a license to sin, nor would he do anything that would cause a brother to stumble.

Galatians 5:13: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

1 Corinthians 8:9: "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak."

We must all give an account of ourselves before our Lord.  What would please Him?  Would it not be pleasing to Him, if we loved others enough to give up those things we could have, for a greater cause?  Would it not be a more powerful witness to others in our age to stand out as one who did not drink alcoholic beverages because we had no need to do so? When we are filled with the Spirit of God, His spirit gives us the joy and release that many are seeking by drinking.  May we instead desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have no need for "spirits."

Ephesians 5:18-20:
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, What wonderful advice we find written in the pages of the Bible.  May we all adhere to the wisdom we find in it, and especially the wisdom given for kings.  Lord, spiritually, You have made us kings and priests, so we need to act like a king and a priest. We need to be wise and holy, so we can rule and reign in a dark and evil world. Deliver us from all things that would cause us to have poor judgment and give us Your wisdom. May I live a righteous life before the world and be a true and faithful witness for You.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.