Writing On Eagles Wings

Scripture: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” – (18:10)

Observation: Today’s world doesn’t have a monopoly on wickedness. It was just as present and real in Solomon’s day as it is currently. In today’s key verse, the king reminds his son that God Himself is our protector and will provide the safety needed.

Application: One of the most unsettling factors we face in today’s world is the increasing violence. I remember growing up and being able to walk to the grocery store for my mother without fear. Parents let their children roam the neighborhoods until the street lights came on, and walking to school was the norm for many of us. This is no longer the case. Random shootings, child abductions, and senseless brutality have become daily events. This world is a very frightening place, but Solomon’s proverb gives us hope. With Jesus as our Saviour, we have a divine protector. Take a moment to think about how He protected in the past.

• God protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire.
  • “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” – Daniel 3:28
• God protected Daniel from the lions.
  • “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” – Daniel 6:22
• God protected David from a lion, a bear, and the warrior, Goliath.
  • “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” -1 Samuel 17:37
• God protected Paul from the bite of a venomous snake.
  • “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand… And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.” – Acts 28:3,5

God is immutable, that is, He never changes. Malachi 3:6 records God’s words, “For I am the LORD, I change not.” He continues to protect believers today. Isaiah 41:10 also records God declaring, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” What He did then, He will do now.

Do bad things happen to Christians? Yes, they do. We live in a sin-cursed world that is currently dominated by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 5:19), and we are subject to struggles, challenges, and even persecutions. One day, they will be completely eradicated, but until then, God gives us the ability to persevere, and He promises His deliverance. Here is how He offer His protection now.

• Ephesians 6:14-18 explains how we must be clothed in the full armor of God. Verse 13 states, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us a way out when tempted to sin. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
• Psalm 121:8 promises God’s protection forever. “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

It is important to remember that God’s will for our lives will come to fruition. He cannot and will not be defeated by Satan and the evil in this world. The Bible promises us this great truth: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1John 4:4). We are God’s children; He is our Father; He holds us in His hand, and makes this statement: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28). That is our God, our strong tower! Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Prayer:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever!

(from “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by Martin Luther)

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“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” – Proverbs 18:2

Scripture: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  – (17:17)

Observation: In today’s verse Solomon shares his wisdom regarding friendship. He explains that a true friend is steadfast, remaining true, regardless of circumstances.

Application: I once heard that a person could have many best friends,or besties in today’s lingo, but only a few are true and loyal friends. These are the ones who remain by your side in the good times as well as the bad. The ones you know will always be there for you no matter what.

The “friend who loveth” will be with you during the most challenging times of your life. They will not abandon you when the “going gets tough”. In fact, when you are struggling and facing the toughest times in your life, a true friend acts more like family with their support and assistance, really and willing to do anything and everything that will help you through the crisis.

The truly loyal friend is also one who loves you enough to point out when you are heading down a wrong path. It takes great love to confront someone about with a possible issue regardless of how gently it happens. This can cause hard feelings, but a true friend will seek to help you see your misguided ways and strive to help you return to a better place, physically, mentally, and/or spiritually. Galatians 6:1 gives us specific instruction on how we should act when confronting another believer. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

To become the friend who loveth at all times is humanly impossible. It takes the salvation that Christ offers to change us from being focused inward to be focused upward. A relationship with Jesus is makes all the difference in how we interact with others. Once He becomes our Saviour, we are empowered by His Spirit to show others the same love He showed us on the cross.  To be the friend that loveth at all times, strive to reflect Jesus in your life with your words and your actions. Pray before you act and cultivate a gentle, humble spirit. Your friends will love you for it!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me with an everlasting love. Great is Your faithfulness to me! Help me, O God, to be a reflection of You in all my relationships. Help me be quick to see the needs of others and act as You would with a gentle and humble spirit. In Your precious name, amen.

If not in you, I wonder where will they ever see the One who really cares?
If not from you, how will they find there's One who heals the broken heart
And gives sight to the blind?

'Cause you're the only Jesus some will ever see
And you're the only Words of Life some will ever read
So let them see in you the One in whom is all they'll ever need
'Cause you're the only Jesus some will ever see.

(from “You’re the Only Jesus” by Gordon Jensen)

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“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” – Proverbs 27:9

Scripture: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”- (16:24)

Observation: Solomon tells his son that speaking kindly is similar to having a wonderful treat like the honeycomb. He states that words spoken with warmth and compassion can be healing to person’s physical and spiritual being!

Application: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I remember hearing this many times as a young girl, but now I realize that there is absolutely no truth to this statement. Words, whether intentional or not, can hurt deeply, but on the flip side, words can also restore, encourage, build-up, support, and so much more! Whenever a person speaks kindness to me, my heart is filled with so much joy!

This past weekend, I was feeling somewhat “down in the dumps” over some choices I had made that weren’t in the best interests for my health. I came down pretty hard on myself, which just compounded the issue in my mind. However, when I shared my unhappiness with a very dear sister-friend, she spoke to me with words of compassion, understanding, and encouragement. Then to top it off, she offered a few suggestions that completely changed my perspective and “flipped my switch” from negativity to positivity! What a difference her words made for me! They were a balm to my soul!

Proverbs 15:28 teaches, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” It takes practice to learn to “think before speaking”, but it is a valuable tool to have in your “relationship toolbox”. Speaking off the cuff can have disastrous results! When we choose to use the “tools” of kindness and compassion in our speech, it edifies the listener, but it also has benefits to us! We are rewarded by feelings of contentment and happiness in our own hearts, which validates the old saying, “kindness is its own reward”. Take time to be a good listener, then reflect on what was said before you respond, and when you do, your words will be pleasant and sweet to both you and the one to whom you are speaking!

Prayer: Dearest Father in heaven, thank You for loving me so deeply and caring for every little thing in my life. Thank You for your protection and guidance. Please, O God, set a guard over my mouth. Help me to think before I speak, and may my words be sweet and soothing to all who hear. Help me to speak as if I am speaking to You… in love and with all humility. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; 
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. 

We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, 
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. 

From sorrow, toil, and pain, and sin, we shall be free; 
And perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity. 

(from “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” by John Fawcett)

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“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11

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