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 15:25-27(KJV):
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the
widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure
are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Proverbs 15:25-27(Amp):
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but He will make secure the boundaries of
the (consecrated) widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are shamfully vile and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
but the words of the pure are pleasing words to Him.
27 He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes
will live.
Thoughts for the Day:
The book of Proverbs continually
contrasts the wicked and his deeds, against the righteous and his deeds. There are many
warnings against pride throughout Proverbs. Those who become proud, by an
over-exaggerated opinion of their self are preparing themselves for a fall. The
house of the prideful will be destroyed, because of their own a deeds.
Proverbs 16:18-19: "Pride goeth
before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble
spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
In our study verses, verse 25 contrasts the house of the
proud with the property of a consecrated widow. We are told that the widow who is looking
to God in humility will be protected, as God will secure her boundaries; while the
prideful man's house will be destroyed, as he shall reap what he has sown. God is no
respecter of persons. This means that He treats all men fairly and justly. He does
not love one human being more than He loves another. God is not partial toward
people; however, He does favor one thing, and that is, He favors His Word. Therefore,
those who keep His Word will find find they are in the favor of the Lord. Faith and
obedience to God's Word brings us the favor of God, no matter who we are or where we come
from.
Acts 10:34-35: "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with
him."
God's promises are to "whosoever will" may come. This means that anyone
who desires to come to God will be accepted. The Spirit of God is like water to those that
are thirsty. It does not matter if we are rich or poor, male or female, black or
white (or any other skin color). God will accept us because He made us and loves us.
However, we must come to Him with a humble heart, acknowledging our need for a
savior.
Revelation 22:17: "..... And let him that heareth say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely."
Verse 26 in Proverbs 15 tells us that
God hears and knows our thoughts and our words. Those who are wicked and think evil
thoughts bring grief to God's heart, as their thoughts are offensive to Him. He is holy
and pure and therefore He wants His children to walk in holiness and purity too. When He
hears us talking and speaking words that are pure, it is pleasing to Him.
As natural parents, we are pleased when we hear our children speak good
things. It is the same with our heavenly Father -- our words and deeds please Him too.
Proverbs 15:27 tells us that those who are greedy will
also bring trouble to their household. Everyone in a family suffers when one member
of the family is not walking in the things of God. This is even more so when that
person is the father, the head of the house, as he brings problems down on the whole
household. If he is greedy, his wife and children will be neglected. He will either be a
work-a-holic and be so occupied with trying to make money that his family will suffer
because of his absence. Or, he will take the money he makes and spend it on himself
while the rest of the family does without.
Greed is a destructive evil that reveals the selfishness in a man. A
man who is greedy will also be susceptible to compromise and evil, when offered a bribe.
Those who want a favor from someone will learn to manipulate others by offering them
gifts or money. A greedy man will fall into this trap
easily. This is why one of the qualifications of a deacon in the New Testament,
is
that he must not be greedy for filthy lucre (tainted money).
1 Timothy 3:8-9: "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not
doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of
the faith in a pure conscience."
To be pleasing to God, we must resist greed and bribes, or we can come
under the evil manipulation of men and violate our faith and conscience.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for all
the good things You have given us. Lord, we want to be like You, so help us do those
things that bless You. May our thoughts and deeds be pleasing to You. Deliver
us from the evil temptations that would cause us to fall from Your grace. Lord, set us
free from all pride, greed and fear. Let us be like You and treat all men around us,
fairly and justly. Keep us from manipulation, so that we obey You, no matter what
the cost to us personally. Help me to always do the right thing and may the
meditations of my heart be pleasing to You. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
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