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 11:13-15(KJV): 

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs is packed with wonderful bite size truths that are practical for every day living.  In examining the three verses above, we are given some of her gems of wisdom. These verses mostly deal with avoiding relationship problems.

Verse 13 instructs us not to be a talebearer who reveals secrets, but rather, to conceal questionable matters that would do harm to people. People who cover other's sins have a faithful spirit. Those who blab everything are just gossips. Many years ago when I was young, at a time when I fully surrendered to the Lord, my eyes were opened to this very sin for which I was guilty. At the time, I was also in bondage to tobacco. To my surprise, the Lord began first working on restraining the things that were coming out of my mouth that He classified as gossip. He did get around to my tobacco habit next and delivered me of that too.  However, as I was reflecting on the work He had done in my life, I wondered why He did not deal with me about my smoking first, as it was an obvious sin.  He quietly spoke to my heart one day and told me that my mouth was more damaging to my Christian walk than my smoking was.   This was not excusing my tobacco habit, as it had to be corrected too; however, He showed me the things we speak are powerful for our good or our destruction.

Proverbs 18:20-21: "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."

Many of the things that we reap in this life can be traced directly to the things that we have spoken. Most of the time before we take action on things, we talk about them first. Therefore, if we allow the Holy Spirit to control what we speak, we will be a blessing to others, as well as produce good fruit in our own lives. It all begins with speaking and praying the Word of God.

Verse 14 cautions those who would make major decisions on their own without any counsel. When one does this, it sets them up for a fall.   However, when several counselors pool their experience and come together to look at a situation, they can approach the situation in a safer manner. This scripture, of course, is assuming these are godly counselors.  Worldly counselors do not have access to the wisdom of God and even their joint contributions can still be wrong. Asking for God's guidance, should always be first and foremost.

Verse 15 gives us some financial advice in the area of relationships. We are told not to be surety for a stranger.  What is surety? It means that a person will give security for the payment or will pledge to pay another's debt if they fail to pay it. We are told that if we do this for a stranger, someone we do not know that well, we will end up "smarting" or "hurting" for it. Strangers, who have the audacity to ask someone they do not even know to be surety for them, usually do not possess the character to repay the debt in the end. It is better to hate this kind of dealing, so that we will not be stuck with the penalty of paying someone else's debt.

Proverbs is full of good advice and as we apply it to our lives, we will dwell in peace in this earth.  We will not fall into the traps of the devil that will cause us trouble and pain, if we heed the advice in this book of wisdom.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the many things You have delivered me from.   I am very grateful that I am free of those things that were destroying me. Father, help me to be patient with those around me that are struggling with their sins.   Remind me to pray for them and help me not to talk about them in the wrong way.   Lord, I do need Your counsel also, as I have many decisions to make and I do not want to make the wrong ones.  Help me to recognize and appreciate godly advice that comes from others. I humble myself and ask that You lead me in all of Your ways. I pray for my brothers and sisters, as well. May we all submit to Your will in all things. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.