Wise Up: Proverbs 20
Proverbs 20 (NIV)
1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24 A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
Verses 4 & 13 remind us to be industrius and to do what needs to be done today and not put it off or the consequences could be grave. I think we all need to heed this advise at times. I pray that God will fill me with his spirit and be a constant reminder to do what is right at the right time.
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
Isn’t this what the nation needs for one who has insight to draw out the centuries of deep waters?
Jo-Ann: this verse has always been a favorite of mine. I love how you applied it to our nation.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being. NIV
27
God is in charge of human life,
watching and examining us inside and out. The Message
27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart. NKJV
27
The [p]spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the [q]innermost parts of his being. NASB
What is interesting about a lamp is that it isn’t the lamp that illuminates. It is what burns within the lamp that sheds light, giving the lamp purpose, and combating darkness. It’s fun to think about His light inside, bouncing around all my nooks and crannies and beaming out of my eyeballs. It’s also a relief to know that I can ask Him to reveal to me the truth of what is happening in my heart, because He really knows. I often don’t. Sometimes I think my motives are more pure than they actually are. Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to offer. His word says that a bruised reed He will not break. Thank You Lord that we can trust You with our hearts. Lead us in your way everlasting.
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin?”
Proverbs 20:9
I think each of us would agree that we have no claim to a pure heart nor are we free from sin. Unfortunately, when honest self-reflection is neglected, self-righteousness can take root and now the trouble begins! Self-righteousness not only blinds me to my own sins, which need attention; it also produces an unforgiving and condemning attitude. I must take care to look inward first, always first. To ask the Spirit to reveal my sin and lead me to confess it, repent, and work to repair any self-inflicted damage resulting from it. I am reminded that I am a great sinner who has been forgiven, saved, and transformed not by my own hand but by the work of another; Jesus Christ. Wisdom teaches me not to think too highly of myself; to be thankful for mercy and grace received and to extend mercy and grace to others.
Heavenly Father, help me to see the logs in my own eye and may your Holy Spirit work in me to remove them to your glory. Make me ever mindful of my need for your mercy and grace and may this awareness increase my thankfulness to you and my grace towards others.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s so hard to maintain a thankful heart when I lose focus on all He has done for me.
7:28 msg “love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity”.
I want to call out today two leaders from my company that were examples of this yesterday.
They had to confront a great employee that compromised his integrity by an omission of truth that came to light. They spoke to him in love demonstrating that truth was more important than the employees great financial performance for our company. They upheld our company values of integrity, service, and performance in that order. I am proud to have employees that love God and put love and truth above all others at the cost of doing something difficult. Well done Eric and Lindsay.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
How easy it is to want to hurt those that hurt us or do wrong to those that wrong us. The Lord says “to wait for Him and He will avenge us.” I don’t know about you guys but that right away takes a huge weight off my shoulders and heart. We don’t need to worry about that, The Lord will deal with it. We can focus on love and keeping our eyes on Jesus.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
Although I am not a vengeful person there have been times when I have wanted to take revenge for something someone has caused in my life. I am thankful that God has his ways of dealing with people who want to purposefully wrong us. This brings me peace and allows me to move forward without dwelling on the negative situations that have risen and continue to arise in my life.
Thank you Lord!
“18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.”
I’m hoping Trump knows this verse .