PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

This was very true of Saul and his children, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23 KJV). Saul acted wickedly on a number of occasions because of his iniquitous heart. His presumptuous sacrifice resulted in his being told that his kingdom would taken and given to another. He was judged as unfit to rule in God’s name, but generally this would not happen until his death. Saul continued to rebel and reject God’s authority, but as he kept sinning in the face of God’s patience he ultimately was to die before his time. His house was not established due to his personal wickedness.

Yet, the target of the king’s wrath, David, had his house established by obedience: “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12-16 KJV). The kingdom of David is rooted forever with Israel’s history. As long as there was a kingdom in Jerusalem, there was a son of David to sit upon the throne. Twenty direct descendants of David sat on the throne. Ultimately, David’s throne will be an eternal throne with the Messiah Himself, a son of David, presiding.

Wickedness may prosper for the moment but not forever. We were all wicked in our natural estate before we were saved, but because of the righteousness of Another, we are blessed to stand on an everlasting foundation. Indeed, blessed are they that are “in Christ!”

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV).

Father, it is wonderful to know that whatever ill may occur in our life, no matter how ill our fortunes may turn, we rest on Your unshakable Word of truth and that our old account of sin was settled long ago at Calvary. Amen.

Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!

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I've been doing that since I started driving truck and found little quiet time to just read.

Whatever the date is, is the Proverb chapter I read.

Today is the 12th, Proverbs chapter 12.

I retired in 2012, but kept the habit.

Amen! Good for you. If the Lord shows you something you find to be a blessing, I hope you’ll share it with us.

PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

Proverbs is a God sent when discussing religion or politics with a leftist.

All of Proverbs 14 is helpful. For example Proverbs 14:7

My favorite in this regard is Proverbs 26:4

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (in other words, don't argue with an idiot less you be mistaken for the idiot.)