God Speaks
A Series of Analogies Describing Wickedness, Foolishness, Laziness and Arrogance
Verse of the Day: Remove the dross from the silver, and the silversmith can produce a vessel; remove the wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. (Proverbs 25:4-5 NIV 2011)
Read or listen on BibleGateway.com
Watch TBR Day 168
We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 25-26
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Proverbs 25
1. The LORD God, who gave Solomon the wisdom to lead the people of Israel and to formulate these proverbs, promises to give wisdom to anyone who humbly asks Him.
2. People frequently give bad advice to their rulers, go and spread rumors without knowing all the facts, seek to promote themselves, leave their promises unfulfilled, are unfaithful or false witnesses, or have little or no self-control. [But God the Holy Spirit will change us if we ask.]
Proverbs 26
1. God detests laziness, gossip, lying or deceptive speech, and wickedness; He will punish the perpetrators now or in eternity.
2. People can avoid foolishness and its consequences by turning to the LORD God for forgiveness and fresh wisdom.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 25-26?
Dear all-wise and loving LORD God, thank You that You conceal matters that may be too difficult for ordinary people to understand. Grant wisdom to those You know will use it well, especially those in positions of influence. Guide those involved in our court systems to recognize truth versus falsehood and to act accordingly. May those who counsel use discretion and those who are counselled accept correction. Please return my nation to calm, respectful discussion of issues instead of division and angry outbursts of foul language. Help us all to follow through on our promises. Because there is so little self-control, this nation’s walls are broken down. We desperately need an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Multitudes acting in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will be evidence of Your presence, Thank You, Father God, for being the source of the wisdom we need to overcome the great foolishness of the world. It is only by turning or returning to You that we can be saved. We need the strength of love that brought Jesus to earth to die in our place. We need You to set people free as You set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt. We need the same power that raised Jesus from the dead to bring life in all its fullness to the eight billion people alive on earth now. You are the only One who can turn hearts from foolishness to true godly wisdom. Every day there is more evidence that the nations are being led by fools and evil people who are being led and deceived by Satan. The only things that can save us from foolishness and its consequences are Jesus’ death and resurrection and living under the principles of the Scriptures (like these proverbs) and in the power of the Holy Spirit. LORD God, please save us from the foolishness of ourselves and our leaders. Even so come, Lord Jesus. Turn us around for Your glory and our good, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 25-26? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray for wisdom to be restored in my nation, especially in the seven spheres (mountains) of influence.
- I will do just the opposite of what an “enemy” might expect in a situation this week. I will respond with good in the face of evil.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to enable me to exercise self-control in at least one area of my life this week.
- I will keep the trust of my friends by keeping their secrets and not talking about them behind their back.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.