Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the daily events in our world or locality. We can be overwhelmed thinking about all the things that can go wrong and are going wrong… about the wickedness and evil… about those who claim the name of Jesus Christ but do not submit to and follow Him with their lives.
I find it encouraging as I think about such things to remember that even kings and rulers are in the hand of YHWH and can be used by Him. He is ultimately in control and we can trust Him. Rather than allow ourselves to be paralyzed with fear of what may happen to us or our brothers and sisters in Christ, let us reflect on what God wants from us. God wants us to obey His commands, demonstrating righteousness and justice. He wants us to love Him with our whole hearts and if we do… we will follow His commands and not consider them a burden, but rather a helpful guide to lead us through our life on this earth.
As you read through Proverbs today, do not hurry, but rather dwell for a moment on each verse, thinking about how it applies today and to your life. Every verse still has wisdom to help us if we study it and apply it.
On Life and Conduct
1The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
2Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice
Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
Because they refuse to act with justice.
8The way of a guilty man is crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
9It is better to live in a corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
Turning the wicked to ruin.
13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be answered.
14A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,
But is terror to the workers of iniquity.
16A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.
19It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and vexing woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man swallows it up.
21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
24“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names,
Who acts with insolent pride.
25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work;
26All day long he is craving,
While the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28A false witness will perish,
But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
29A wicked man displays a bold face,
But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
30There is no wisdom and no understanding
And no counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.