Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” – (15:8)

Observation: Undoubtedly there were issues within Solomon’s household due to the numerous wives and religious practices they brought into the marriage. Solomon cautions his son that a sacrifice offered to God by one who is unwilling to follow God’s commandments will not be accepted. It is only by obedience to God and His ways will the prayers that are offered be pleasing to and accepted by the Lord.

Application: The assumption that anyone can pray to God at any time, and He “drops everything” to attend to that prayer is not correct. Approaching God in prayer is a privilege. Yes, God is delighted when His children pray. Yes, God listens to the prayers of believers. Yes, God is approachable 24/7. However, prayers have specific parameters that are often overlooked on our end that explains why sometimes there is delay in hearing from God.

If one’s heart harbors sin, God does not listen. Psalm 66:18 states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Sin creates a barrier to God. Never forget that God is holy and just. We cannot simply go to Him in a sinful state and expect Him to accept us as is. Cain found that out when he tried to offer a sacrifice with the wrong attitude. “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). God even took the time to explain to Cain what the problem was with his sacrifice, but Cain’s heart was not in the right place, and that led to disastrous results.

A wicked, unrepentant individual with a sinful attitude prohibits the acceptance of any offering to God, whether it be an actual sacrifice, like Cain’s, or one that is abstract, like one’s time. Remember, God doesn’t look at what we do, He looks at our hearts. I Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Having the wrong attitude… prideful, unrepentant, angry, etc., does not please God and until we make ourselves right in His eyes, our sacrifice of prayer, time, money, etc. is not acceptable to Him.

Furthermore, even the sincerest Christian has times when his or her prayers need a little divine help. In these cases, our prayers are assisted by Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 records, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Our prayers must be presented appropriately to the Lord, and this is accomplished on our behalf through the work of the Holy Spirit. There are times when we ask amiss or in misalignment to the will of God, or we lack the humble attitude in approaching the Lord. We must be “upright” in our spirit to have our prayers be pleasing to God.

Becoming upright requires a repentant heart, a humble spirit, and the forgiveness of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ. Once we have that, our prayers flow to God unhindered and are pleasant to Him!

Prayer: O God, I praise You for Your holiness, Your majesty, Your great love! Cleanse my heart, O Lord, and may my prayers be acceptable to You… a sweet savor ascending to Your throne. Make me a vessel that You can use and give me a servant’s heart. May I have the right spirit within me to please You and serve You always. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Dear Saviour, let Thy watchful eye protect me day by day,
That from the precious fold I love my heart may never stray.
Make me humble, loving, dutiful; make Thy home within me beautiful;
Cleanse my heart from sin; let no stranger in.

I want Thy Spirit’s gentle power, my constant guide to be;
I want Thy love, Thy tender care, to bind me close to Thee.
Make me humble, loving, dutiful; make Thy home within me beautiful;
Cleanse my heart from sin; let no stranger in.

(from “Amazing Grace” by Fanny Crosby)

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“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Scripture: “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”  – (14:26)

Observation: Solomon lived during a time of relative peace, but growing up during David’s reign, there is no doubt that he heard of the numerous campaigns waged by Israel’s armies. In this verse, Solomon is reminding his son that the place to find protection, shelter, and peace is with God.

Application: Our world is always in turmoil. There are tremendously fearful events happening all over the globe at any given time, and these situations can cause great anxiety and unease. There are times when I see terrible things on the news or read about horrific happenings, and I feel the tension and fear mounting within me. Additionally, when I begin to speculate on what the future holds, my anxiety level threatens to go through the roof! It is at that time, that the Holy Spirit of God gently reminds me of Who is really in control, and I feel His peace begin to replace the fears.

I am so glad I have had many opportunities to memorize Bible verses because these are what the Spirit of God uses to calm me. Psalm 46:1 reminds me that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He is the One to Whom I should run when fear threatens to overcome me. He is my strong tower… my Protector, and my place of refuge. Proverbs 18:10 states, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

It is so easy to be bombarded with the cares and troubles of this present world, but remember, as Christians, we are merely passing through. This world is not our home; our true home is currently being prepared for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, and one day soon, He will come to take us there! Until then, He will guide us, care for us, and protect us here in this life. We have the assurance of that in Psalm 121:7-8. “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” What blessed assurance!

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, I praise You for Who You are! Your omnipotence knows no bounds. Thank You for taking care of me in every situation. Thank You for keeping me safe in the palm of Your hand. I am so blessed to be Your child. Thank You that there is nothing that can happen to me that You are not aware of and that You do not ultimately control. To rest in You and Your care is my place of refuge and safety, and You are my strong confidence.  In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright , a shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.

(from “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” by Vernon J. Charlesworth)

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“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:29

Scripture: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” – (13:20)

Observation: Here is another proverb of Solomon’s that uses comparison and contrast to make a point. In this verse, the king cautions his son to be wise when it comes to those with whom he chooses to associate himself.

Application: There is an old saying that a man is known by the company he keeps. This refers to a person’s character. It is definitely reflective of those with whom he spends most of his time. In today’s key verse, Solomon explains that if one wants to be wise, hang around wise people. Conversely, if one chooses to associate with fools, eventually the individual’s life will be in ruins.

In Psalm 1, the psalmist writes, “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.” (v 1-2). When one associates with godly people, their characteristics tend to “rub off” on us, and sadly, the opposite is just as true. I recall a co-worker who tended to pepper her speech with unsavory words. When her toddler repeated one of those words in a public setting, my co-worker was surprised and somewhat embarrassed that her little one would say such a vile word! 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” This little child was a clear example of the truth in that verse!

Ephesians 5:1 gives us clear instruction on whom to follow if we want to be wise. It states, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”. If we follow Jesus’ example in living, we are following the author of wisdom! Referring to God, the Bible tells us in Job 12:13, “With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.”

Want to be thought of as wise? Walk with the wisest! Walk with God!

Prayer: Dearest Lord, I praise You for Your unfathomable wisdom! There is nothing that You do not know for You created all things! Thank You that You are also willing to share Your wisdom with Your creation! James tell us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask You, and You will give it liberally! Thank You for the words of wisdom You give us in the Bible, and for the illumination Your Spirit provides as we read those words. Help me to walk wisely, in the shadow of my Saviour, and apply Your wisdom to my life. In Jesus’ sweet name, I pray. Amen.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy dear child;
Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.

(from “Be Thou My Vision” by Eleanor Hull)

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“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Scripture: “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”  – (12:25)

Observation: Many of the proverbs of Solomon address our behaviors with others. In our key verse for today, Solomon points out that a person’s emotional state can be impacted both negatively or positively depending on circumstances, and then explains that words play an important part in a person’s feelings.

Application: There are so many things that can make our hearts feel “heavy”. It’s easy to identify the major things that influence our emotions. Traumatic events, like the loss of a loved one or news of a catastrophic illness, can change a person’s life in a moment, but even little things can create huge burdens to bear.  I remember how heartbroken I was when a pet passed away. To many, animals are not a significant part of life, but to me, my pets seem like family, so the loss was devastating. Another time, I recall just a simple disagreement with my husband filled my heart with so much sorrow, which was compounded by the fact that my pride was the root of the problem!

In both instances, it was the kind words spoken that lifted my spirit and gave me the encouragement I needed to put a smile back on my face. When my sweet kitty passed, my entire family rallied around and reminded me of how much my rescue cat’s life had been enriched by my adoption of her. In the second case, my husband was quick to forgive and give me a much-needed hug when I apologized for my prideful attack. His words definitely made my heart glad!

It’s important to be an encourager! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” There are many ways to comfort and edify others, but the easiest is by far through the spoken word. When we share kind words, we demonstrate caring, compassion, and love for others. Speaking kindness is so uplifting to the recipient! Another way to encourage others is through the written word. Receiving a card in the mail… or these days, even a text message on the phone… can be so needed and so very appreciated! So take a moment, and “make someone’s day” by sharing some encouraging words in person or via text or card. I promise it will gladden their heart… and yours!

Prayer: Dearest Lord, thank You for Your encouraging words in the Scriptures. When I read about the love You have for me, and that it is everlasting, I am overwhelmed with joy in my heart! Help me, O God, be an encourager to others by sharing Your love whenever and wherever I can! In Jesus’ sweet name, I pray. Amen.

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I'll cling,
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs. 

Love lifted me, love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, love lifted me; 
Love lifted me, love lifted me, 
When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

(from “Love Lifted Me” by James Rowe)

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“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29

Scripture: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” – (11:30)

Observation: Now the chapters shift from a personification of wisdom to proverbs that are not completely related to one another in this particular context. The majority compare and contrast unrighteous behaviors to sinful ones. In today’s key verse, there is no contrast mentioned as it speaks solely to righteousness.

Application: The only way a person can live righteously is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Abraham, who “… believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness,” our righteousness can only be through the Saviour. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “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,” and Romans 3:22 states, “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:” God’s righteousness continues to grow in us as we study the Word of God and grow in our faith. As we mature in our Christian walk and serve Him, our works begin to correlate with God’s will for our lives. We begin to yield fruit for His kingdom as we develop a deeper understanding of the importance of sharing Christ with others, and we find in the Scriptures His perfect plan for how to go about doing this.

By sharing the gospel with other people, many are led to the saving grace of Jesus. This “winning of souls” is the “fruit” that we bring forth through the witness of our own personal journey with Jesus. When others are saved through our Christian testimony, they in turn share their faith with others, leading to more who come to know Christ as Saviour. This pattern repeats itself again and again, resulting in a bountiful harvest of souls! This is the Great Commission that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 28:19-20. When we obey God’s directive in soul-winning, we are then considered “wise” as stated in our key verse. When was the last time you shared your faith with someone?

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You so much for being my Saviour. Help me, O Lord, through Your power, to reach others with the gospel. Give me eyes to see the opportunities You put in my path and a boldness to share You with others. Help me to reflect the love of God to everyone around me and bear fruit for the cause of Christ to the glory of God! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen!

If to Christ our only king men redeemed we strive to bring,
Just one way this may be done— we must win them one by one.

So you bring the one next to you, and I’ll bring the one next to me;
In all kinds of weather, we’ll all work together, and see what can be done.
If you’ll bring the one next to you, and I bring the one next to me,
In no time at all we’ll have them all, so win them, win them, one by one.

(from “Win Them One By One” by C. Austin Miles)

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“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

Scripture: “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” – (10:32)

Observation: There is a lot in this chapter about our mouth and the words we speak. Knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it can save someone from a lot of grief. It is clear that Solomon is cautioning his son to “think before speaking” and to speak in a way that reflects righteousness.

Application: Once again, pride seems to be the root of this issue. Pride insists on having the last word in an argument or discussion, and that can be so harmful to those present. First of all, when angry or sarcastic words are spoken in haste, no amount of regret in the world can erase them. Yes, I can apologize all I want, and even be forgiven by the individual(s) I’ve hurt, but the memory of what I said lingers. Secondly, when unpleasant words pop out of my mouth, my Christian testimony suffers. The world will see itself in me, not Jesus, which is contrary to what He desires my testimony to be. My life, including the words I speak, should be a reflection of Him. Consider this… even though Jesus was mocked and reviled, He spoke with words of love. His most incredible words, and perhaps the hardest for Christians to sincerely speak, were, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34).

As a Christian, I must speak the words that glorify and honor the Lord, and the He finds pleasing. Instructions on how to accomplish this are woven all throughout the Scriptures. Here are a few examples:

• “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. – Ephesians 4:29
• “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” – Colossians 4:6
• “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
• “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” – Titus 3:2
• “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” – Hebrews 13:15

As Christians, we represent the Lord Jesus Christ 24/7, and godly righteousness should be present in our words as well as our actions at all times.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You, O God, for the teachings in Your Word. Help me to heed it, obey it, and follow it as I go through my life day by day. Help me to be a reflection of Jesus to others through kindness, meekness, and goodness. Let my speech always be “seasoned with salt” and full of Your grace. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere;
Open my heart, and let me prepare love with Thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my mouth, illumine me, Spirit divine!

(from “Open My Eyes That I May See” by Clara H. Scott)

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“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

Scripture: “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” – (9:17)

Observation: There is a comparison in this chapter between the wise person and the foolish one. Solomon explains the benefits of choosing wisely versus the consequences of foolish (sinful) choices.

Application: I have been thinking a lot about the original sin committed in the garden of Eden and reflecting on Satan’s tactics to destroy our relationship with God. He made a statement to make Eve doubt what God had told her. God’s command is stated in Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” When Eve told Satan what God had commanded, the devil’s response was “Ye shall not surely die:” (Genesis 3:4). With the seed of doubt planted, Eve looked upon the fruit, decided it looked good, and chose to believe the lie told to her instead of the truth of what God had previously said. In that moment, the temptation was transformed into a sinful act.

The introduction of death into world happened exactly as God had warned. Later, Paul would write of that in Romans 6:23. That original act of sin brought death into the world physically AND spiritually. It separated Adam and Eve from the Lord’s presence, and sin continues to do the same with us. Just like in the mind of Eve, once the seed of doubt finds fertile ground, it will quickly grow, take root, and the temptation to sin becomes the action of sin. Genesis 3:24 tells us the ultimate consequence for Adam and Eve – separation from God’s presence. “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life“. It continues to be the ultimate consequence for all of humanity today.

Satan never ceases to urge us to question the truth of God’s Word. It starts as a tiny purr of uncertainty that sprouts a tiny root implanted in our thoughts. As the devil continues to tempt, the doubt in God’s Word grows until it comes to a full manifestation of sinful action, and that action, as our key verse states, is only sweet for a moment. We must never forget that the pleasures of sin are only temporary, but its devastating consequences can be permanent, and in some cases, eternal. The aftermath of going against God’s truths brings harsh consequences.

However, God did not forsake His creation. We do have hope! God promised to intervene. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to die on a cross to take the punishment for all of our sins, satisfying His judgment on sin. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave three days later, Jesus became the Saviour of the world, and now waits for the repentant sinner to come to Him for forgiveness of each and every sin, past, present, and future! God is not willing that any of us should perish, that is to spend eternity without Him, and He made the path to eternal life so easy. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God Himself paid for our sin-debt because there was no way we could pay the price ourselves.

The path to salvation requires only that you ask. Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” As a repentant sinner, one must only believe on the atoning work of Christ on the cross and ask for His forgiveness. Jesus will refuse no one. His salvation is a gift, freely given to anyone who asks for it. There is no other way back to God. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). If you have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Saviour, I urge you to do that today! He loves you and is waiting for you with open arms!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love. You sacrificed Your only begotten Son for this sinful world… for me! What amazing love You have for Your creation! I could never earn Your forgiveness; I could never deserve it, yet You, in Your great compassion and mercy, made eternity in heaven possible through Jesus. You did it all… for me. Thank You so much! Help me to refuse to listen to the doubts that creep into my thoughts. Your Word says You always provide a way to escape temptation; help me to recognize it each time sin reaches out to tempt me. Help me to reject sin and embrace righteousness. Help me to walk the narrow way following my Saviour. In His precious name, I pray. Amen.

I hear the Savior say "Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness, watch and pray find in Me thine all in all"
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

(from “Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina M. Hall)

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“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

Scripture: “For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.” – (8:7)

Observation: In this chapter, Solomon returns to his initial theme of wisdom, and once again, it is personified, speaking to the reader. From the history of Solomon, we recall that when God asked what He could give to this young king, Solomon responded with “wisdom” (2 Chronicles 1:7-10), so it is understandable why he devotes so much to this topic.

Application: The world in which we live has no concept of absolute truth; it exists in the realms of a “truth” that varies for individuals and/or groups of people. While absolute truth states that there are things that remain true at all times regardless of when, where, who, or what is involved, relative truth fluctuates because there is no higher authority to authenticate or validate the “truth”. So the world basically says there is no truth because absolute truth doesn’t exist since we can’t prove that it is truth.

So, what is absolute truth? The answer is found in John 17:17, which states, “…thy Word  is truth.” The world doesn’t accept is the absolute truth of Scripture, but the truth is God Himself.  John 1:14 makes this declaration: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh, and the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” Therefore, Jesus is our absolute truth and in Him is all wisdom.

Throughout the Scriptures, it is the Lord who is speaking the truth. He is the higher authority who validates and authenticates truth, thus making it reliable. God’s truths do not deviate when cultures change or time passes. They remain constant, thus making it absolute. We should pay attention to His Word for God will never speak anything false, deceptive, wicked, or “relative”. We can depend on Him for absolute truth always because He never changes (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). He is an absolute God with an absolute truth yesterday, today, and forever!

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, how great Thou art! Your wisdom knows no limit! Your love is everlasting! Thank You for Your Word that is truth, and for the peace and comfort I have in knowing that You never change! The Bible remains the source of absolute truth throughout the ages, and I am so glad that You continue to open my eyes and teach me the truths in Your Word. Help me to pay attention and apply these to my life each day! Thank You for the truth of forgiveness, salvation, and hope! In Jesus’ precious holy name and with great thanksgiving, I pray. Amen.

I know the Bible was sent from God,
The Old, as well as the New;
Inspired and holy, the living Word, 
I know the Bible is true.

I know, I know, I know the Bible is true;
Divinely inspired the whole way thro’,
I know the Bible is true.

(from “I Know the Bible is True” by Baylus Benjamin McKinney)

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“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

Scripture:  – “Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.” (7:24)

Observation: Solomon continues to warn his son about sins of the flesh, specifically sexual sins, but this can also be viewed as the personification of sin in general similarly to the personification of wisdom been in previous chapters of Proverbs.

Application: Sin is a choice. Some choices are made recklessly and can reap severe consequences that linger for a lifetime. I recall a time when I was much younger; I thought I was very knowledgeable… I suppose I would call that the folly of my youth, but in reality, it was the covert manifestation of the sin of pride. Because of that, I chose to indulge in sins that, in looking back, I regret greatly. Had I but listened to the wise counsel of my parents instead of my peers, I would have avoided a lot of grief in later years. Sadly, I did not choose wisely.

When seeking advice, it is imperative to be in constant prayer about the situation for which one seeks guidance. God does not fail to avail us of His wisdom when we ask. Sometimes He uses others to give us godly counsel, like a pastor or other mature believer. Regardless of whom we go to, it is vital to have great discernment in determining if the advisor is one whose beliefs align with Scripture. Then, and only then, do you listen, again, with discerning ears, to the counsel given. It is never wise to blindly accept advice regardless of who offers it. One must be diligent… like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11… and determine if the advice aligns with the Bible. If the advice does not align with God’s Word, it must be rejected and counsel sought elsewhere. If it does agree with biblical concepts, there can be confident in taking action. That is choosing wisely!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your wisdom. You know all things and You so generously dispense Your wisdom to those who ask for it. O God, please give me the wisdom to recognize sin and flee from it. I thank You so much for watching over me, caring for me, and then forgiving me when I was so reckless and sinful with my behaviors. Your goodness to me is overwhelming. Thank You for loving so much. Help me to honor You by making choices based on Your Word. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen. 

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, 
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land, 
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today

(from “I’d Rather Have Jesus” by Jim Reeves)

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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5

Scripture: “Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.” – (6:21)

Observation: Phylacteries are small boxlike cases containing certain portions of the Torah. Jewish men wear them on their foreheads or arms as a reminder of God and to keep His laws (Deuteronomy 6:8, 11:18). Proverbs 6:20 reminds the reader to keep the godly commandments and laws passed on by the parents, and today’s verse gives the location to keep these teachings.

Application: Unlike the phylacteries, the heart and neck are indicated to be where the Word of God should be stored. The Scriptures are not just an ornamentation, but a necessity of life as vital as breathing itself. Jesus states, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). They are not restrictive in nature, but rather, they are liberating! Not burdensome, not out-of-date, not irrelevant. The Bible is God’s love letter to us, and it is as essential to our lives today as when it was first penned.

The Inward Challenge:

We are instructed to hide God’s Word in our heart to for a myriad of purposes. 2 Timothy 3:15-16 explains the work that the Scriptures perform in our lives. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” As I study the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps me apply it to my life, as Titus states, “… denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (2:12). The Word of God works to change me and make me more like Jesus, which in turn, gives me a biblical worldview that leads to a life rich with God’s blessings and His assurance of an eternity with Him in heaven! WOW!

The Outward Challenge:

Wearing the Scriptures around my neck doesn’t mean I should wear a huge pendant filled with verses, but the symbolism is that, like a beautiful piece of jewelry, living for Jesus should be seen clearly in me by others. This means that the influence of God’s Word in my life should be visible to the world. When people look at me, I hope to give them glimpses of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. My testimony for Him is what others see of Him in me, and that is His Word “tied about my neck”. Matthew 5:16 records the words of Jesus, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” James 2:17 reminds us, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” In order to impact others for Christ, I must “wear” the Word around my neck, which is manifest through my words and actions. True change is inward, but once that begins, it is then reflected outwardly and is an ongoing process as God continues His good work in us (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, what a wonderful thing to know that Your work continues in me! You didn’t just save me to let me be, but You saved me to learn more about You, become more like Your precious Son, and serve You with my whole heart! Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for finding value in me regardless of age or ability, and that You have a purpose for me in this present world. Help me to continue to study Your Word, apply it to my life, and share it with others. May I be a “heart” and “neck” Christian! In Jesus’ precious and holy name, I pray. Amen.

More like Jesus would I be, let my Savior dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love, make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go, pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be; let my Savior dwell in me.

(from "More Like Jesus I Would Be" by Fanny Crosby)

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“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2