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 10:6-11:(KJV): "Blessings are upon the head of
the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be
known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the
wicked."
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses in Proverbs make a comparison between the
just and the wicked, and states what comes to each of them as a result of their words and
actions. Verse 6 tells us that the just person will be blessed,
while those who are wicked will experience violence. All through scripture we are
told that that men shall reap what they sow. If we follow scriptural advice, we will
receive blessings. If we do not and continue to sin, we will receive the evil that
sin produces.
Verse 7 tell us that people will also remember what kind
of things we did in the earth. History records the deeds of the wicked, and the
deeds of the just in its books, as does the Bible. This verse tells us that we will
remember fondly the deeds of just people and bless them, while the name of wicked men
leave a rotten memory. Even in families, those members who were good are remembered
with admiration, while shame attends those who were the "black sheep" in the
family. National leaders fall into the same category. We should take inventory ourselves,
and ask how we want to be remembered.
Verses 8 and 9 tells us that those who
are wise will receive the commandments of God, while fools will fall because they do not
walk uprightly. Those who walk according to the Word of God will take sure steps as they
shall be led by the Spirit of God. Those who pervert their lives, certainly shall be
known by men. How shall they be known? This scripture tells us:
Proverbs 20:11: "Even a child is known by his doings, whether
his work be pure, and whether it be right."
We are known by our deeds. Many Christians say the right things, but
their lives reveal that they do not "walk the talk." The Lord
mentions these kind of Christians in the New Testament:
Matthew 15:8: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their
mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
Verses 10 and 11 continues to make the
contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The Bible definition of
"winking" is different than the general definition we have today of that word.
Today's definition of winking is to close and open one eye as a signal that one is
teasing or flirting. However, the Bible definition means that it was done as a gesture of
pride and insolence that exhibited insidious designs toward someone. This kind of
winking definitely would cause sorrow, as it is done with impure intentions.
The scripture tells us the "prating fool" shall fall. The word
prating means one who chatters foolishly and is an idle "blabber mouth." When a
person speaks wrong things, he is damaging his own life as well as others. It really is a
violent thing to use bad language and speak ugly things about others. The Bible
tells us to guard our mouth, and not to speak things that are not good and edifying. We
reap the things we speak, as well as reaping the fruit of our actions.
Proverbs 18:20: "A man's belly shall be satisfied with the
fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and
life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof."
Let us speak good things that bring life to us and others. We do not
want to be guilty of speaking evil things that bring death to our own lives, or words that
would bring curses and death to others.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, I love you today and
am grateful for all of Your goodness to me. Please forgive me when I have not spoken
kindly of others. Help me to guard my mouth from speaking any kind of evil.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your
site. Lord, I cancel all words that I have spoken that have not agreed with the Word
of God. I also cancel all evil words that have been spoken against me, my family or my
ministry. Lord, please forgive those who would speak amiss against us. May Your people
everywhere be careful to guard their tongues. Help us all to speak Your words and to be
gracious and kind to one another. I ask this in the Holy name of Jesus. Amen.
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