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 13:7-9(KJV):

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Proverbs 13:7-9(AMP):

7 One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing (to keep permanently); another man considers himself poor, yet has great (and indestructible) riches.
8 A rich man can buy his way out of threatened death by paying a ransom, but the poor man does not even have to listen to threats (from the envious.)
9 The light of the (uncompromisingly) righteous (is within him; it grows brighter and) rejoices; but the lamp of the wicked (furnishes only a derived, temporary light and) shall be put out shortly.

Thoughts for the Day:

In these verses in Proverbs we see a comparison between rich men and poor men. Verse 7 distinguishes between true riches and worldly wealth. The two are worlds apart.  True riches are found in a relationship with Christ, while the wealth of this world is simply temporary ownership of money and things. A man may accumulate great wealth in this life.  However, when he dies, he will not be able to take one cent of it with him.  On the other hand, a man who has Christ, though he may be considered poor in this life; will find that when he dies, a reward is waiting for him in heaven that no man can take from him. His riches are not just stored up for later either, as they are available every day as he walks with God. The riches of God cannot be bought with money.  No man can buy peace of mind, joy in one's heart, true love from another or faith in the face of trying circumstances. These things only come from God and are a part of our inheritance as children of God. These are what the Bible calls true riches.

There is a story in the New Testament about a wealthy man who had so many things that he ran out of room to put it all. He made the decision to tear down his smaller barns and build bigger ones to hold all of his goods. He had no regard for God or others.  He was proud that he had accumulated so many goods and he bragged that he had enough to take care of himself for many years.  He said to himself, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Then Jesus spoke these frightful words about this man:

Luke 12:20-23:

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

The Lord does not want us to be troubled about what we shall eat or what we shall wear, as He promises to take care of daily provisions. Life is more than food and clothes. God tells us to seek Him, and His kingdom first, and then all these things shall be added unto us.

Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Proverbs 13:8 makes an interesting statement. The verse states that a rich man may be able to buy his way out of a life threatening situation because of his money; however, the poor man does not even have to worry about people threatening him for a ransom, as his lack of money prevents this sort of attack. A spiritual analogy would be if remain "poor" before God, claiming nothing as our own, but only claiming to be a steward of what God desires us to watch over for Him, we will not be threatened by the devil about losing something.  If we never own it to begin with, how can we lose it? Satan has threatened to rob us of many things over the years in many different ways, but the stand I always take is that everything in my possession belongs to God, therefore the devil has no authority to rob it.  I will give it away if the Lord speaks for me to do so, and walk off and leave it, if it has served its purpose in my life. However, I refuse for the enemy to have it, as it does not belong to him.  I want to be a good steward over the things that God put me in charge over, therefore I will fight the enemy if he tries to steal from me, or threatens to destroy anything that is in my possession. These things belong to God and the devil is not big enough to take them from Him.

In the Old Testament, we read the story of David, a young shepherd boy who tended his father's sheep.  He fought and overcome a lion and a bear that tried to kill them. David risk his life to be a good steward over the sheep that belonged to his father.  We must take the same attitude over the things that God has given us.   We must fight in prayer to keep the enemy from destroying our children, our mates, our homes, our businesses, our ministries and our own lives as well.  The enemy comes to rob, kill and destroy, but God came to give us abundant life.  However, we must contend for it by using our faith and God's Word against the enemy.

John 10:10-11:

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Proverbs 13:9 tells us that God gives the righteous light and that it grows brighter and brighter each day. Therefore we can rejoice as we will not stumble in the dark and be overcome by the devil.  On the other hand, the wicked shall have even the light that they possess put out. If we do not have the light of Christ in our lives, we will end up in the darkness of hell. The choice is ours, as to if we decide to walk in the pathway of righteousness where God's light guides us, or if we decide to walk in our own way and lose the light of God.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I do appreciate Your counsel and guidance every day.  Thank you for Your love and watchcare over me and my family.  Lord, I desire Your true riches above all other things in this world.  I ask that You strengthen me so that I might obey You in all things.  I do want Your righteousness first and foremost in my life. Cleanse me of the things that would prevent me from receiving all that You desire to do in my life.  Lord, help me to be as bold and courageous as David was when I am up against the enemy's attacks. I know that through the power of the Holy Spirit, I can do all things by the strength that Christ supplies.  Lord, I declare I will not be robbed of anything that You have entrusted to my care.  Give me the grace to prevail over the enemy when he attempts to rob me.   I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.