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 9:6-9:(KJV): "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs gives us instruction on how to relate to scorners and foolish people. The Hebrew meaning of the word "foolish" in the dictionary means one who lacks moral reason, righteousness and justice. He is, in essence, someone who rebels against the things of God. Because the foolish are rebels, the Lord tells us to forsake them, and follow God in the way of understanding.

Verse 7 also tells us that if you try to reprove or correct someone who is scornful, they will only turn on you, and abuse you as well.  This is also true, if you try to rebuke and tell a wicked man that he is wrong. The reason this is true is because wicked people are very prideful people, and they do not want anyone telling them what to do.  They have no humility and are unteachable. They will try to make the one who is telling them the truth, look bad.   They will try to bring a blot against the one who is trying to bring correction to them.

Verse 8 tells us that if you reprove a scorner, that he will hate you. Scorners are mockers, scoffers and impudent people. They will not only, not accept your advice, they will usually hurl a deluge of hateful words against you also. They are not ready to repent, so the best way to deal with foolish people and scorners is to just pray for them, until the Lord softens their hearts, so that they can hear you.  We need the discernment of the Lord to know when it is wise to share the truth in love with someone, and when it is best just to keep our mouth shut and pray for them.  Only God knows when a person is ready to hear.  This is something we need to remember in witnessing to people also.  The Bible likens seed to the Word of God and someone's heart as the soil that it is planted in. Sometime the words that we share, will "plow the ground," of the heart, while at other times, we plant seed.  Someone else may come along and water what we have spoken, and then the Lord will send someone else, to reap the harvest when it is ready.

Luke 8:11-15: "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

Proverbs 9:9 tells us that when you correct a wise man he will not only receive it, but will be glad that you helped him avoid a problem. A wise man is happy to receive a course correction and will love you for helping him see the light.   He is the kind who learns from his mistakes when they are pointed out to him. He doesn't allow his pride to keep him from receiving correction. He appreciates the fact that he has gained new understanding, because he has a teachable spirit.  This kind of man or woman grows in God and becomes wiser and wiser.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,  Thank you for giving me the Bible, so that I can learn and grow in wisdom, by studying Your Words.  I do appreciate it when You correct me.  Thank You for giving me a teachable spirit. Lord, also give me discernment as to when I need to open my mouth and speak the truth to someone, and when I need to be silent and just pray.  Lord, give me the holy boldness, to speak up when You tell me someone needs a Word or a prayer.  I do want to let my light shine so that others might know that You are real, and that You are a loving God.   I give you my life afresh today, strengthen me to be what You want me to be.  I ask this in Your son Jesus' name.  Amen.