“The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.”

Ever notice how some people always LOVE to argue? They seem to thrive on debate, and they think they are always right. Then you notice that they have no friends. No one wants to be around them.

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,  and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” [2 Tim. 2:24-26]

READ: Pr. 17,18

Life is a journey that follows a path. We chose which path we will follow.

The author of Proverbs 15 says, “Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life, not the road that leads downward to death.”

We mostly use GPS devices to find the right roads when traveling. Maps were formerly relied upon. Regardless, when we have a destination we’ve never been to before, we need guidance. God’s Word does exactly that … it helps us navigate to get to the right destination. His Word is a “Lamp to our feet and a light to our path.”

READ: Pr. 14-16

Whereas there is no narrative or story line in the Proverbs, there are individual nuggets of wisdom and truth for the follower of Christ.

Each thought is worthy of consideration and rumination (chewing the cud). For that reason, it’s helpful to read them slowly giving time for the needed reflection.

They are useful in a Bible study format where the facilitator reads one thought and the participators share personal impressions or life-applications of the verse.

The Proverbs are a Christian on his feet … how to walk out life’s challenges.

READ: Pr. 11-13

Proverbs 8 is a chapter that has had a life changing effect on me.

It was pivotal in influencing me to institute a daily devotional life. I believe it is the voice of God offering His abundance of wisdom to those who say, “I’m going to put God’s Word ahead of everything on a daily basis.”

“Blessed is the man who hears Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors.” [Pr. 8:34]

READ: Pr. 7-10

“The path of the just is as the morning sun, and gets brighter until it’s full daylight.” [Pr. 4:18]

There’s nothing like walking in God’s wisdom to navigate life. In the full light of day we can clearly see where to go and what obstacles may be in our way. The longer you know the Lord and His Word, life becomes more joyous and you learn to take the spiritual opportunities to help others that become apparent to you.

Walk in light … walk towards the light … and away from the darkness.

READ: Pr. 4-6

A little admonition embedded in the Proverbs is “When you are able (you have the $$$) do good to people who need help.”

Compared to the rest of the world, we live in luxurious excess. Before we have to stand before the Lord and account for of all the money we have lavished upon ourselves, we are wise to be generous to the needy.  There are MANY noble mission causes to give to. Merely ask the Lord to highlight some good opportunities. When they appear, don’t be stingy. They probably need it much more than you do.

READ: Proverbs 1-3

When examining the various English versions of Psalm 146:9, we find many descriptions of how God treats the wicked; He frustrates, turns upside down, destroys, ruins, subverts, and overthrows their plans and their way. In fact, Ps. 149 indicates that He does this as we praise HIM.

The wise Christian removes his focus from those that trouble him and begins to praise the Lord. God knows best what each man needs to come to his senses and forsake the error of his sinful ways.

It’s in the focus.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for reacting to our enemies in a carnal manner. We rather praise You and relinquish our vindictiveness and retribution.

READ: Ps. 145-150

Our prosperity depends upon the Lord’s blessing. If we are a farmer, we depend upon the rain and the soil conditions. If we are in finance, we depend upon the financial health of the businesses we are concerned with. If we are a home-builder, we depend upon the price of lumber and the market conditions. God affects everything that touches us.

Through prayer, we maintain a link to God that can affect everything.

“If You abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto You.” [John. 15:7]

READ: Ps. 137-144

In Ps. 132, Solomon states concerning his father, David, “Remember David and his self-denial.”

Often translated “afflictions,” or “enduring hardship,” another translation states, “The times he didn’t do what he wanted to do.”

For a godly man, relinquishing control to God’s Spirit and His Word and being obedient to it is the form of self-denial that may be referred to here.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” [Gal. 5:22,23]

PRAYER: Father, give us the grace to impose self-denial that will feed our spirit man rather than our carnal man.

READ: Ps. 130-136

Ps. 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. They must have either been music selections the Levites sang as they mounted the 15 steps to the Temple, or they were songs Jewish pilgrims would sing as they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts.

Regardless, they seem to be family songs … songs to be quoted or sung by members of God’s family citing many provisions of care and safety they enjoy ie. “Except the Lord keep the city the watchman wakes in vain.”

It’s good to be IN the City of God.

PRAYER: Father, You love Your children and You keep us and provide for us. We devote our lives to Your Kingdom and Your purposes in the earth.

READ: Ps. 120-129