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 3:33-35(KJV): "The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools."

Thoughts for the Day:

Many of the scriptures in Proverbs make comparisons between good and evil. They state what will befall those who are wicked and conversely, list the rewards of the righteous. The verse in Proverbs 3:33 talks about a curse that is on the wicked and a blessing that is on the righteous.  Today, we think of "cursing" as someone using foul language, profanity, or perhaps, even blasphemous words against God. Our definition usually is synonymous with "swearing." This is a form of cursing, but it is only a small portion of what curses mean in the Bible.

Cursing in the Bible is not only speaking evil of someone, but evil coming upon someone. If a person is under a curse, according
to the Bible, evil has come upon them in some way. Sickness, tragedy, or bad circumstances are occurring in their lives. This evil is not coming from God, but rather, the enemy, Satan. When we follow God and obey Him we receive His blessings.  Those who are wicked will have a curse upon them.  This happens because we reap what we sow.   If someone is sinning, they will reap the fruit of that sin. Sin produces corruption in our lives.

Galatians 6:7-8: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

If we humble ourselves and repent, the Lord will help us overcome the bad things in our lives. Verse 34 tells us that He will give grace to the lowly.  Grace is the power to overcome sin and lead a righteous life. Those that scorn the way of the Lord are called fools in the Bible.  The Biblical definition of a fool means one who is rebellious. Rebellion always brings us into shame. Verse 35 promises that the wise will inherit glory.  The choice is ours: blessing or cursing; glory or shame.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Father, Thank you for Your many blessings.   When I really stop to count them all, there is no end to every blessing that you have given me.  Every breath I take is a blessing.  It is a blessing to be able to see, hear, walk and talk. You have granted me blessings in the many friends and family that I have.  Thank you also, for all the physical and material blessings I have.   I do appreciate them, but they are overshadowed by Your blessings of peace, love and joy that I have in my heart. Thank you, that You have redeemed me from the curse of sin and death and have given me eternal life.  I am very grateful for what Jesus did for me on the cross. Lord, help me to live the Christian life before others, so that they might receive Your blessings too.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.