Proverbs 11:16
“A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.” There is grace and strength in Wisdom. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” A picture of how we can wisely conduct ourselves is within the Person of Wisdom…Jesus Christ. His Grace We are saved by His grace, so we can live by His grace. His grace is sufficient, for He is Sufficient. Our every need is found within Him. His Strength We can only experience His strength when we acknowledge our weakness. Our infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses are simply opportunities to yield our lack of strength to Him. We have no grace or strength on our own. By His grace, we can give grace. By His strength, we can be strong. A woman can only be gracious and have honour because of Him. A man can only be strong and have riches because of Him. We are nothing without Him! Bible Reading: Isaiah 39-40 | Romans 12 | Proverbs 30
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Proverbs 11:15
“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.” Jesus Christ is our surety. He came knowing our condition, and He was willing to bear the consequences that we justly deserved. He Who knew no sin, was made sin for us; because He loves us that much. Romans 5:6-9 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” He was willing to take our place. His vicarious death and glorious resurrection made it possible for us to trust Him by faith. The Substitution of Wisdom makes all the difference. How willing are we to follow Him? Wisely surrender today to whatever He has in store. Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Bible Reading: Isaiah 37-38 | Romans 11 | Proverbs 29 Proverbs 11:14
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” When we rely on ourselves, we are sure to fail. There is nothing good within us, therefore we cannot expect to produce or create anything worth while on our own. It is wise to seek the advice of others. The type of counsel we seek is of vast importance; for the people who advise us determine our actions. All that we do and say is a direct result of who or what influences us. Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Who advises you? Have you considered who or what advises them? It is wise to do your research before allowing someone to influence you. “…in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Multiple perspectives can lead to more effectiveness. The Source of Our Counsellors Psalm 119:24 “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” The counsel of many is wise when the counsellors all based upon the right Source, the Word of God. Bible Reading: Isaiah 35-36 | Romans 10 | Proverbs 28 Proverbs 11:12-13
“He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” A lack of Wisdom will create hate and scorn against others, while also enabling a betrayal of confidence. When there is no ability to remain silent, there is no Wisdom. This warning echoes through the pages of Scripture to those who talk without having a walk or relationship with Christ. James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.” The Wisdom within us allows us to be silent when it is appropriate and guards against our flesh overpowering our spirit. Christ Himself gave us a clear example of how it is often wise to remain quiet. 1 Peter 2:21-24 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” Regardless of what He faced, He kept quiet in Wisdom. When you find yourself scorning against the decisions of others, remain quiet. When a friend shares something with you in confidence and trust, remain quiet. Bible Reading: Isaiah 33-34 | Romans 9 | Proverbs 27 Wisdom brings rejoicing.
Proverbs 11:10 “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.” Wisdom brings exalting. Proverbs 11:11 “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” We read of the revivals of years past how they completely changed cities or towns that surrounded the church. The people of the city were changed; therefore the city itself was transformed. Wisdom makes a difference, while wickedness brings destruction. Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” The wickedness of people has an effect on the place they dwell. A fruitful land can become barren. A full land can become empty. Sin has its consequences. We have the Light of Wisdom within us, and we must shine brightly so that He can change the lives of those around us. Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Shine the Light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ today around your city today. Bible Reading: Isaiah 31-32 | Romans 8 | Proverbs 26 Proverbs 11:8-9
“The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” When trouble comes, we have a strong hold of refuge in the Lord. We can trust Him to deliver us. Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Many speak about trusting Him, without truly submitting to His will. Many talk about how much they know, rather than truly knowing Him. It is dangerous to profess to have wisdom without actually possessing it. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” Rather than speaking lies in hypocrisy, we must choose to live truthfully by immersing ourselves in the knowledge of the Truth of the Word of God. Proverbs 2:6,10-12 “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding...When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;” Bible Reading: Isaiah 29-30 | Romans 7 | Proverbs 25 Proverbs 11:4-7
“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.” No amount of riches, nor self-righteousness will be sufficient. Righteousness makes the difference. Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” We have no righteousness of our own account. There is only one thing we can do on our own to inherit eternal life. Believe. Romans 3:20-26 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Our righteousness is received by our faith in Jesus Christ, for He is Righteous. Romans 4:3,23-25 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness…Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” When we place our faith in the Person of Wisdom, His righteousness is imputed upon us. When we receive Him, we receive Wisdom and Righteousness. Bible Reading: Isaiah 27-28 | Romans 6 | Proverbs 24 Proverbs 11:3
“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” God gives us an example within the Scriptures of how the integrity of the upright shall guide us if only we yield to Him in wisdom. Job 2:3 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” Job was such an upright man, and full of integrity, that the Lord asked Satan if he had considered him while walking to and fro upon the earth. God had faith in Job that he would remain faithful despite the persecutions upon his life. Do we have enough integrity for God to recommend us? Job 2:9 “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” Job even stayed faithful when those closest to him advised him to give up. He refused to give in to Satan’s attacks, and remained full of integrity all his days. Job 27:5 “God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” Job 31:6 “Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.” Integrity is found within the Wisdom of the Word. Allow the Word of God to teach and guide you today. Bible Reading: Isaiah 25-26 | Romans 5 | Proverbs 23 Proverbs 11:2
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” We find here one thing we are promised when we allow pride to creep into our lives…shame. The question is how long will it take to appear? The longer we continue to be prideful before becoming shameful, the more comfortable we are with our pride; which is the first of the six things that the Lord says He hates. Proverbs 6:16-17 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look…” Our pride does not end in shame. Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” We must root out the pride in our lives before we fall into destruction. Shame is our opportunity to get things right. God gives us mercy by allowing us time to repent. If we confess our sins to Him, He is Faithful to forgive us and cleanse us. We must simply humble ourselves and admit that we are wrong. James 4:6-8 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” There is Wisdom in honesty and humility. Bible Reading: Isaiah 23-24 | Romans 4 | Proverbs 22 Proverbs 11:1
“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” We see here a reference to the ancient practice of using stones on a balance scale to determine the weight of items. Carnality prevailed as some of the scales began to favor one side over the other. Dishonesty is an abomination to the Lord. God gave the commandment ”Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”, yet even His children struggle to be truthful on a daily basis. Honesty is a delight to the Lord. God desires that we be truthful and just, for He is Truthful and Just. Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Not all who are honest are wise, but all who are wise must be honest. When we are honest, we not only please the Lord, but He delights in us. We must live an honest and balanced life for His glory. May we strive to wisely live each day justly and honestly. Bible Reading: Isaiah 21-22 | Romans 3 | Proverbs 21 |
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