Proverbs

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them 

understand the insights of the wise.

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just and fair.

These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance 

by exploring the meaning in these proverbs,

and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:1-7

Lately, it seems many of my "God visits" are coming through Scripture.  It's funny, when I look back on those special touches in which God has made Himself known in my days, sometimes I've seen seasons of similitude.  For a while it was comforting, encouraging music, other times it's been one or two poignant sentences while listening to podcasts.  Sermons have spoken to me, there have been heart reaching devotionals and teachings I've encountered that brought correction and instruction. Lately it has been the Scriptures themselves popping off the  clean white pages of my much loved new Bible.  Other times, the Lord just strings a few different ways together and makes a stunning jewel coated rope that brings His message together for me.  I love how the Lord works in our lives, always just what we need, even if we don't know we need it, or some days, don't really want to hear it! LOL

Many years back, one of the ways I used to read my Bible was to do one Psalm and one Proverb each day. It was one of those "plans" on reading your Bible.   And it really is a pretty good one!   I've gotten back into reading the "In Touch" daily devotionals and they have a program where you can read a few  Bible chapters a day and by years end you will have read the whole Bible. Yesterday, for some reason I decided to read the chapters for that day, which were in the Book of Proverbs.  As I read, I realized I had not spent any time in this book for quite a while and was missing out on some of the greatest words of wisdom in all of history and in all the world.   Gee, I've missed this book!!

Listen to these verses!  In this day and age, where wickedness and evil seem to prevail at every turn we are reminded in Proverbs 13:9  The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.  There's a warning on pride in 13:10:  Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.  Who are you hanging out with?  Proverbs 14:7  Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips.  Okay, this one I love.  Proverbs 14:4  Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. You gotta get messy to bear some fruit!!  And speaking of harvesting..check out 14:22:  If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.  Want good health?  Proverbs 14:30  A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.  And anger is not very prudent according to this wonderful book.  15:29 People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.  

On and on it goes...wisdom after wisdom.  Any instruction you can possible need to get through your day, your life, it's in here!!  Wouldn't it be great if the whole world starting reading and following this sage advice given to King Solomon by God?  But even if the most of the world's population ignore God's Word, we can still make our little sphere of influence and our time on this earth better, richer, more peaceful and God-glorifying.  I'm so glad the Lord brought me back into this beautiful book.  I think I'm going back to reading a Psalm and a Proverb a day.  I've missed it!

Lord, You are so smart. Beyond anything I can think or imagine.  Help me and all of us, to remember that fact when things don't go the way we like.  Lord, I want to follow Your precepts and principles...for in them is the path of life, the road to peace and the highway to joy and fruitfulness. Lord, let each of us plan each day to live by Your ways, then we will walk in Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Thank You for giving us clear instructions...let us not be lazy and fail to  utilize this wonderful book You've given...Proverbs 14:23  Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Only through hard work and diligence can we grow.  Help me to make this a priority in my life, to not let living and busyness crowd out Your presence and Your Word.  I pray in the holy, precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Make a plan today to read some of Proverbs everyday.  You will be blessed!

Teach me Your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;

I will put them into practice with all my heart.

Make me walk along the path of Your commands, 

for that is where my happiness is found.

Give me and eagerness for Your laws rather than a love for money!

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your Word.

Psalm 119:33-37