Day 187
Scripture
Observation
The varied statements of common sense in today's reading describe the perils facing the wise and the unwise, character sketches of the poor and mighty, and value judgments upon things that appear to be good and things that are good. Through it all, Solomon sees God at work in the hearts and affairs of people, helping them to avoid flattery and falsehood, and to produce obedient behavior instead.
Application
What is it that keeps you from seeing yourself as you really are, others from seeing you as you wish you really were, and God from helping you become what you would really like to be?
As you ponder that riddle, take a look at the lesson contained in 18:12. (It's so important, you'll find it repeated in 16:18-19).
Pride—in yourself, your possessions, your abilities—brings destruction. Humility—before God, before others, before yourself—brings honor. God delights in raising up the lowly (15:33), but he despises the proud (6:16-17; 16:5). A proud person fights himself (8:36), others (13:10), and God (16:5), and eventually his end is destruction. Just as pride caused Lucifer to want to be greater than God (Isaiah 14:12-14), resulting in condemnation (1 Timothy 3:6), so pride can ruin your life. Look for opportunities today to exercise humility instead. Nothing is as hard to do gracefully as getting down off your high horse—and nothing is as necessary! Look for one other person whose needs and word of sincere appreciation. Remember, all you have and are is given to you by God (1 Corinthians 4:7).
And if you have trouble with the riddle, remember that pride covers your own sins; pride obscures the view of others; and pride hinders service for God!
As you ponder that riddle, take a look at the lesson contained in 18:12. (It's so important, you'll find it repeated in 16:18-19).
Pride—in yourself, your possessions, your abilities—brings destruction. Humility—before God, before others, before yourself—brings honor. God delights in raising up the lowly (15:33), but he despises the proud (6:16-17; 16:5). A proud person fights himself (8:36), others (13:10), and God (16:5), and eventually his end is destruction. Just as pride caused Lucifer to want to be greater than God (Isaiah 14:12-14), resulting in condemnation (1 Timothy 3:6), so pride can ruin your life. Look for opportunities today to exercise humility instead. Nothing is as hard to do gracefully as getting down off your high horse—and nothing is as necessary! Look for one other person whose needs and word of sincere appreciation. Remember, all you have and are is given to you by God (1 Corinthians 4:7).
And if you have trouble with the riddle, remember that pride covers your own sins; pride obscures the view of others; and pride hinders service for God!
Prayer
O God, how we need your Word to be a lamp to our feet that we are able to conduct ourselves in a manner that's pleasing to you. The proverbs teaches all who reads it to be obedient in our behavior instead of uttering words that wound we speak to encourage. We conclude that the yoke of the Lord Jesus will never fit on a stiff neck so we ask "what will Jesus do". Thank you for the wisdom given in our reading of the Word today for us to make wiser decisions in our life. In Jesus' name. Amen!
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© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020
