Proverbs 25:21-22
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” Kindness softens the heart of an enemy. Solomon describes some practical every day things we can choose to do for our enemies rather than what our flesh desires. Jesus Christ gave us specific instructions of how to deal with our enemies. Matthew 5:43-44 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Love instead of hate. Bless instead of curse. Do good unto them. Pray for them. How well do we do these things? Romans 12:18-20 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” It is not our responsibility to try to avenge ourselves, even though our flesh desires the exact opposite of what Jesus preached. We have to choose whether to act with our flesh or follow what Christ said is best. When we choose His way, we obey our Heavenly Father and show His love to those around us. Matthew 5:45-46 “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” There is no reward in treating even those that seem to hate us, or think evil of us, with anything but love. Christ died for them too, and He promises to reward us if we choose to live peaceably with everyone. Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 23-24 | Romans 14 | Proverbs 11
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Proverbs 25:20
“As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.” It is not very wise to be in cold weather without the proper attire. When it is cold outside, it is wise to put another garment on rather than take one away. Being more exposed to the elements only creates more of a need for warmth. A lack of Wisdom only afflicts us more. When our hearts are heavy we need empathy and sympathy from those around us. Even in an effort to cheer us up, sometimes a happy song can do more damage than we planned. It reminds us of our lack of happiness and retells the grief we bear. Psalm 38:4 “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” When our hearts are weary, there is a Comforter for us. Christ tells us to come to Him. Matthew 11:28-29 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” He knows our pain. Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He is acquainted with our grief. Isaiah 53:3-4 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Run to Him today. He is waiting with open arms. His Words can heal your wounds. Psalm 147: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” The best cure for a heavy heart is Wisdom. Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 21-22 | Romans 13 | Proverbs 10 Proverbs 25:19
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” If you have ever experienced a broken tooth or a joint out of place, you know the pain that is involved. Times of trouble reveal the painful condition of our faith. Job warned that our few days would and will be full of trouble. Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” James warned that we would and will fall into tempting situation to try our faith James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” Where is your confidence today? In times of trouble or pain, we must have confidence in something in order to make it through the storm. What or whom we place our faith in makes all the difference. If we trust in ourselves, we will experience pain and failure. Psalm 52:7 “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” If we trust in others, we will be left disappointed and discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:28 “Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.” Micah 7:5-7 “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” The only alterative we have for guaranteed success is to put our trust in the Lord. Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” When we fully trust in Him, we can have confidence to be fearless. Psalm 56:11 “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Proverbs 14:26 “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” Painful experiences will still come, but when we suffer for Christ’s sake we become more like Him. 1 Peter 3:14,17 “But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled… For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” Choose today to live in confident Wisdom by placing our trust in Him. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 19-20 | Romans 12 | Proverbs 9 Proverbs 25:18
“A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.” When called to the stand in a courtroom, the witness has been summoned to do one thing…tell the truth. A false witness destroys the character of both parties. It destroys the reputation of the one being lied about and at the same time creates a new reputation for the one lying. Proverbs 11:9 “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” A false witness deceives those around us. A lie creates deception that something other than the truth exists. Proverbs 24:28 “Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.” A false witness is dangerous to all those involved. It may or may not create physical harm, but it definitely causes emotional and spiritual damage. A sword wounds those that are near, and a sharp arrow wounds from a distance. Regardless of our location, a false witness does not occur without injury. Proverbs 12:18 “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” One thing separates the Truth and a false witness…a choice. We must choose the road we take. Proverbs 12:17 “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” Make the choice today to be a faithful witness instead of a false witness. Proverbs 14:5 “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.” Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17-18 | Romans 11 | Proverbs 8 Proverbs 25:16-17
“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” Excess can become burdensome. If we eat too much, we will suffer the consequences. If we overstay our welcome at a friend’s house, our relationship will suffer. Solomon uses these two examples to bring out the Truth that we must exercise wisdom to avoid excessiveness. Ephesians 5:18-21 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” The Apostle Paul pinned the inspired Words of God teaching the people of the church of Ephesus how to avoid excess and instead focus on that of which they could never have too much. It is wise to avoid excessiveness, while also realizing that there are a few Things we must seek continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” There is Bread enough for us to eat and never be full. John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” There is one Friend Who never tires of our presence. He is never too busy for us and always welcomes us with open arms. Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Avoid excessiveness when it is wise to do so, yet never cease from seeking the Lord through His Word. We can never have too much of Him. Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 15-16 | Romans 10 | Proverbs 7 Proverbs 25:15
“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Patience instead of forcing a matter is the wiser choice for persuasion. Few things will happen if we simply force our own agenda by manipulation or anger. Pausing to remember that God’s plan is much better and higher than anything we can desire is wise. Psalm 27:13 “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Soft words of wisdom can make a difference. The harder our words are the harder the wrath of those who receive them. Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Consider when your words came out harder than you heard them beforehand. What was the outcome? Were they met with wrath or forbearance? Proverbs 14:29 “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Consider the other side, when you received hard words of wrath. How did you react? Proverbs 15:8 “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” Proverbs 16:32 “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” May we speak soft words of wisdom in order to show the love of Christ to those around us. Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 13-14 | Romans 9 | Proverbs 6 Proverbs 25:14
“Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” We have all walked outside to find dark clouds and the wind boisterous. It looks, feels and even smells like it is about to rain. Yet, softly, the wind dies down, and the clouds continue to roll on without a drop of rain falling down. Some things are not always what they appear. Promises made are not always kept; which creates false expectations that never come to fruition. This is often the case when someone boasts of their self to be something they have never attained. Proverbs 20:6 “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” Jesus Christ warned the lawyers and Pharisees of promoting themselves, and how it actually happens just the opposite. Luke 14:11 “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Clouds without water only appear to be a storm. An appearance alone does not meet the standard. Pretenders have never received what they do not possess. 2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Be aware of clouds and wind without rain. Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 11-12 | Romans 8 | Proverbs 5 Proverbs 25:13
“As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” There are few things more refreshing than an ice cold drink of water after working on a hot summer day. When we are tired and thirsty, just a drink of cold water seems to revitalize us to finish our task. Solomon likens a faithful messenger to that which refreshes the soul. Proverbs 25:25 “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” God has given us the Gospel, and as His children we are sent as His messengers to tell the world the Good News. When we faithfully proclaim the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only do we ourselves find refreshment, but also God is refreshed by our obedience to His commission. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Sharing what Christ did for us is refreshing to those who by faith hear the Truth of the Gospel. Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith begins by hearing the Word of God and believing in the Truth. When faith is placed in Jesus Christ, He makes all things new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 9-10 | Romans 7 | Proverbs 4 Proverbs 25:12
“As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” Our desire to do right will create within us a hunger for the reproof of wise counsel. Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” It makes a difference when reproof comes from a wise person. We seem to be more obedient and take the reproving more to heart when it comes from someone we look up to – a spiritual leader or authority figure. A wise reprover gives reproof in love. In order for it to be taken well and have a positive effect, reproof must be given in love and not pride. Proverbs 28:23 “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.” The wise reprover desires a positive outcome as a result of giving reproof to the obedient ear that receives it. Proverbs 9:8 “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Sometimes our flesh gets in the way and causes us to reprove without consent from the Lord. Likewise, there are also times where our flesh causes us to not take reproof in a wise manner whatsoever. Pride creeps in when we react in rage or rebuke rather than receiving the reproof gracefully and gratefully. Proverbs 15:31-32 “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” Psalm 141:5 “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Who has the Lord used as a wise reprover in your life? It is wise to have one, and to be one. Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 7-8 | Romans 6 | Proverbs 3 Proverbs 25:11
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” The timing of our words is just as important as the words themselves most of the time. There are many times when our words are not appropriate at the time. We have all been there. We sometimes stick our foot in our mouths before we even realize the damage that we have caused. Proverbs 15:23 “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” God can give us just the right words to speak just when someone needs to hear them, if only we will seek His direction before we open our mouths. Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” For us to speak words of wisdom, we must spend time with the Wisdom of the Word. The Scriptures are the very Words of our Heavenly Father that He has preserved for us to learn about Him. God breathed His Word so that we may know Him. John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” God made us; therefore He made our mouths and gave us the ability to speak. Since He is our Creator, should we not consult Him about the words we say? He will teach us what to say if only we will yield to Him before we speak. Exodus 4:11-12 “And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” How fit are your words? Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 5-6 | Romans 5 | Proverbs 2 |
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