FBC Daily Devotions

Make Insight Your Priority

 ^1-5 Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you;
    collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;
   set your heart on a life of Understanding.
That’s right—if you make Insight your priority,
   and won’t take no for an answer,
Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,
   like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;
   you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

 ^6-8 And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free,
   is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,
   a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,
   and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

 ^9-15 So now you can pick out what’s true and fair,
   find all the good trails!
Lady Wisdom will be your close friend,
   and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,
   Insight will keep an eye out for you.
They’ll keep you from making wrong turns,
   or following the bad directions
Of those who are lost themselves
   and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
These losers who make a game of evil
   and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
Traveling paths that go nowhere,
   wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.

 ^16-19 Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress—
   that smooth-talking Seductress
Who’s faithless to the husband she married years ago,
   never gave a second thought to her promises before God.
Her whole way of life is doomed;
   every step she takes brings her closer to hell.
No one who joins her company ever comes back,
   ever sets foot on the path to real living.

 ^20-22 So—join the company of good men and women,
   keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths.
It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land,
   the women with integrity who will last here.
The corrupt will lose their lives;
   the dishonest will be gone for good.

As we begin a new month, and knowing the Proverbs are so varied from one chapter to another, I thought it would be good to continue reading them through another month… with a little twist. This month I’m going to have us read a different translation. Sometimes reading other translations sheds new light on a once passed over proverb. I’ll be sending out Eugene Peterson’s The Message paraphrase translation. See if anything new stands out to you as you meditate on God’s Word today and the days to come. And please feel free to share a comment or two here or on our facebook page (see sidebar).

Proverbs 1

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

 ^1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
   David’s son, Israel’s king—
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
   to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living,
   for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
   and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
   still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
   the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with God

 ⁷ Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
   only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

 ^8-19 Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;
   never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee.
Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair,
   like rings on your fingers.
Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you,
   don’t go along with them.
If they say—”Let’s go out and raise some hell.
   Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
Let’s pick them clean
   and get them ready for their funerals.
We’ll load up on top-quality loot.
   We’ll haul it home by the truckload.
Join us for the time of your life!
   With us, it’s share and share alike!”—
Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look;
   don’t listen to them for a minute.
They’re racing to a very bad end,
   hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
Nobody robs a bank
   with everyone watching,
Yet that’s what these people are doing—
   they’re doing themselves in.
When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens:
   the more you get, the less you are.

Lady Wisdom

 ^20-21 Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts.
   At the town center she makes her speech.
In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand.
   At the busiest corner she calls out:

 ^22-24 “Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance?
   Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism?
Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?
   About face! I can revise your life.
Look, I’m ready to pour out my spirit on you;
   I’m ready to tell you all I know.
As it is, I’ve called, but you’ve turned a deaf ear;
   I’ve reached out to you, but you’ve ignored me.

 ^25-28 “Since you laugh at my counsel
   and make a joke of my advice,
How can I take you seriously?
   I’ll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
What if the roof falls in,
   and your whole life goes to pieces?
What if catastrophe strikes and there’s nothing
   to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
You’ll need me then. You’ll call for me, but don’t expect
      an answer.
   No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me.

 ^29-33 “Because you hated Knowledge
   and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
Because you wouldn’t take my advice
   and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
Well, you’ve made your bed—now lie in it;
   you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it?
Don’t you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots?
   Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
First pay attention to me, and then relax.
   Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.”

Today’s thought comes from v. 25 which essentially says that one who fears man will fall into a snare, while the one who trusts in the Lord is kept safe. It is natural for us to do things based on the fear of man. We make decisions based on what others will think us. We fear critcism or rejection. We want to look good in the eyes of man. We want to be accepted by all. We naturally think that in man’s acceptance there is great security. But according to this proverb, to be governed by the fear of man will only create more problems. it is impossible to please everyone, and so we will never truly find safety there. Instead, we will only find true safety and security in trusting God. God alone knows every detail of our future. He alone knows what is best for us. So if we will simply put our trust in Him (and that’s not an easy thing), in time, I think we will find these words to be true. Trust is not built overnight. It is a process of trusting and seeing God’s faithfulness in those matters. Over time, trust will transform into refuge. It begins with the little things and grows to the bigger things. For today, what small matters can you trust to God rather than be guided by the fear of man?

Proverbs 29

 ¹ A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
       will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

 ² When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
       when the wicked rule, the people groan.

 ³ A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
       but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

 ⁴ By justice a king gives a country stability,
       but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.

 ⁵ Whoever flatters his neighbor
       is spreading a net for his feet.

 ⁶ An evil man is snared by his own sin,
       but a righteous one can sing and be glad.

 ⁷ The righteous care about justice for the poor,
       but the wicked have no such concern.

 ⁸ Mockers stir up a city,
       but wise men turn away anger.

 ⁹ If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
       the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

 ¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity
       and seek to kill the upright.

 ¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his anger,
       but a wise man keeps himself under control.

 ¹² If a ruler listens to lies,
       all his officials become wicked.

 ¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
       The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.

 ¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with fairness,
       his throne will always be secure.

 ¹⁵ The rod of correction imparts wisdom,
       but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

 ¹⁶ When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
       but the righteous will see their downfall.

 ¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;
       he will bring delight to your soul.

 ¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
       but blessed is he who keeps the law.

 ¹⁹ A servant cannot be corrected by mere words;
       though he understands, he will not respond.

 ²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
       There is more hope for a fool than for him.

 ²¹ If a man pampers his servant from youth,
       he will bring grief in the end.

 ²² An angry man stirs up dissension,
       and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

 ²³ A man’s pride brings him low,
       but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

 ²⁴ The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
       he is put under oath and dare not testify.

 ²⁵ Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
       but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

 ²⁶ Many seek an audience with a ruler,
       but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.

 ²⁷ The righteous detest the dishonest;
       the wicked detest the upright.

Proverbs 28

 ¹ The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
       but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

 ² When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
       but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

 ³ A ruler who oppresses the poor
       is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

 ⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
       but those who keep the law resist them.

 ⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,
       but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

 ⁶ Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
       than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

 ⁷ He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
       but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

 ⁸ He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest
       amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

 ⁹ If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
       even his prayers are detestable.

 ¹⁰ He who leads the upright along an evil path
       will fall into his own trap,
       but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

 ¹¹ A rich man may be wise in his own eyes,
       but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

 ¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
       but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.

 ¹³ He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
       but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

 ¹⁴ Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD,
       but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

 ¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
       is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.

 ¹⁶ A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment,
       but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.

 ¹⁷ A man tormented by the guilt of murder
       will be a fugitive till death;
       let no one support him.

 ¹⁸ He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
       but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.

 ¹⁹ He who works his land will have abundant food,
       but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

 ²⁰ A faithful man will be richly blessed,
       but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

 ²¹ To show partiality is not good—
       yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

 ²² A stingy man is eager to get rich
       and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

 ²³ He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor
       than he who has a flattering tongue.

 ²⁴ He who robs his father or mother
       and says, “It’s not wrong”—
       he is partner to him who destroys.

 ²⁵ A greedy man stirs up dissension,
       but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

 ²⁶ He who trusts in himself is a fool,
       but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

 ²⁷ He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
       but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

 ²⁸ When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
       but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

I know there is a lot that could be said about a number of these proverbs in our reading today, but I had to laugh (a little) at v. 14 – the one that says a loud hello to a neighbor in the morning will be taken as a curse. I’m not naming names, but I know more than a few people who are just a little too enthusiastic in the morning and even more who are less than pleased at their enthusiasm. If you’re one of those high energy people in the morning, you’re probably better off restraining yourself until lunch.

This proverb contains a number of good verses regarding good friends. Take a few minutes and give them consideration: vv. 6, 9, 17. 

Proverbs 27

 ¹ Do not boast about tomorrow, 
       for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

 ² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
       someone else, and not your own lips.

 ³ Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
       but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

 ⁴ Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
       but who can stand before jealousy?

 ⁵ Better is open rebuke
       than hidden love.

 ⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
       but an enemy multiplies kisses.

 ⁷ He who is full loathes honey,
       but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

 ⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest
       is a man who strays from his home.

 ⁹ Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
       and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

 ¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father,
       and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you—
       better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

 ¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
       then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

 ¹² The prudent see danger and take refuge,
       but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

 ¹³ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
       hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

 ¹⁴ If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning,
       it will be taken as a curse.

 ¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is like
       a constant dripping on a rainy day;

 ¹⁶ restraining her is like restraining the wind
       or grasping oil with the hand.

 ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
       so one man sharpens another.

 ¹⁸ He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
       and he who looks after his master will be honored.

 ¹⁹ As water reflects a face,
       so a man’s heart reflects the man.

 ²⁰ Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
       and neither are the eyes of man.

 ²¹ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
       but man is tested by the praise he receives.

 ²² Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
       grinding him like grain with a pestle,
       you will not remove his folly from him.

 ²³ Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
       give careful attention to your herds;

 ²⁴ for riches do not endure forever,
       and a crown is not secure for all generations.

 ²⁵ When the hay is removed and new growth appears
       and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

 ²⁶ the lambs will provide you with clothing,
       and the goats with the price of a field.

 ²⁷ You will have plenty of goats’ milk
       to feed you and your family
       and to nourish your servant girls.