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 3:30-32(KJV):  "Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous."

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs is a treasure chest of wisdom in the area of how to relate with other people.  We find in this first verse an admonition to avoid strife.  In modern day terms we might say, "Don't go picking a fight without a reason." It is sad to say in the world today, we find some people who just love to fight and argue. Sometimes, it seems that the oppressors have it better than those who are seeking to do what is right. However, the Bible tells us not to envy those people, nor choose to follow in their ways.  In the book of Psalms the Bible tells us the outcome of such people.

Psalm 37:1-9(KJV): "A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth."

These scriptures tell us that in time the ungodly shall perish. On the other hand, those that wait upon the Lord and follow Him shall have the righteous desires of their hearts fulfilled.

When the Bible speaks of the froward person, it is referring to those that are crooked and perverse. It calls these kind of people an abomination to the Lord. In Proverbs 3:32 the scripture tells us that the righteous have an advantage over the wicked. The Lord will share the secrets of the wicked with the righteous.  What does this mean?  As Christians, if someone is trying to deceive us and we are walking in the will of the Lord, the Holy Spirit will make known the plots or schemes that others are trying to make against us. This discernment will prevent us from being taken by unscrupulous people and also will keep us from getting entangled with the wrong people. 1 Corinthians 12:10 mentions this gift of discernment. We are blessed of the Lord, as His children, in so many ways. This is just another reason we should praise our Lord every day!

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all your wonderful gifts.  I am especially thankful for the gift of discernment.  Thank you, for the many times You have saved me from bad situations that I would have engaged in, if it were not for You warning me. I do thank you for spiritual eyesight. Lord, I pray today that I will always walk in Your way and will seek to avoid strife and be a peace maker.  You said, "Blessed are the peace makers".  I need Your blessings today so I seek to be at peace with those around me.  Help me to solve my differences in a peaceful way, according to Your will.  I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.