PROVERBS 12 RESULTS OF WORKING HARD

October 16

PROVERBS 12

8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
    and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

                                                                – Proverbs 12:8-14

PROVERBS 12 RESULTS OF WORKING HARD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When a man is patiently diligent at working hard

He will have a bounty of blessings and plenty of bread

He will not be discouraged by any trouble that comes his way

For he has good sense to know that it will build his character

The lazy on the other hand will have nothing to reap

For he has not worked hard and cannot expect results from it.

In our world today, entitlement is prevalent. We have become so used to getting things the easy way. When someone is given everything to him on a silver platter, there is no reason for that person to work hard. He just waits for others to give it to him and do not understand the importance of work. Paul talks in 2 Thessalonians 3 that if anyone is not willing to work, let him not ea. They were commanded and encouraged in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Imagine a world of no work.

REFLECTION

  • Why is working hard a very important valuable concept in life?

PROVERBS 12 ON LOVING DISCIPLINE

October 15

PROVERBS 12

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, 

  but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

   but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,

   but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;

   the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

   but the house of the righteous will stand. – Proverbs 12:1-7

PROVERBS 12 ON LOVING DISCIPLINE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord disciplines whom those he loves

Those who live for themselves hate being reproved

Those who love the Lord their God heed to guidance

But the wicked resort to hatred and avoidance

The children of the Lord accept correction

They love to be given advice and instructions

Because of their faithfulness to God’s commands

They live peaceful lives and are full of wisdom.

Does anyone love discipline while they are receiving it? Our human nature hates being corrected or told what to do but Solomon gives us a good reminder that those who love the Lord will always welcome being guided and instructed. The fools and the wicked on the other hand are very insecure and self-centered people who would not entertain any thought on what others think. It is wise for God’s people to heed God’s guidance.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think discipline is an essential part of a believer’s life?

PROVERBS 11 THE BENEFIT OF SEEKING GOD

October 14

PROVERBS 11

25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

    and whoever captures souls is wise.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth,
    how much more the wicked and the sinner!

                                                 – Proverbs 11:25-31

PROVERBS 11 THE BENEFIT OF SEEKING GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When a person serves the Lord, they seek good

They do not make a habit of doing wrong

They faithfully obey the laws of the Lord

Which results in overcoming the ways of the world

They prioritize to please the God they serve

Which results in an outpouring of blessings.

Solomon continues to enumerate some of the aftermath or benefits of seeking God in the last verses of this chapter in the book of Proverbs. One of the results of seeking righteousness is the outpouring of blessings. Those who seek God flourish like a green leaf as verse 28 describes. They are like a tree planted by the riverbank where their leaf never withers or gets dried up because they are nourished by the water. Christ is the living water that keeps us fed and constantly alive.

REFLECTION

  • What benefits have you reaped after you committed to serving God?

PROVERBS 11 A CROOKED HEART IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD

October 13

PROVERBS 11

19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,
    but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

                                                          – Proverbs 11:19-24

PROVERBS 11 A CROOKED HEART IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord hates those who do evil, it is a disgrace to him

Those who continue to live in sin will not go unpunished

But those who are devoted to righteousness will be blessed

Their children will receive blessings and be delivered

All those who generously give and extend help to others will prosper

While those who withhold what they have to others will surely suffer.

Many people think they can go on doing wicked things without any consequences, but eventually, they will not go unpunished. Solomon describes how God hates evil in these following verses. It is an abomination to the Lord. Solomon talks about the things that the Lord hates in Proverbs 6:16-18: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Here in verse 20, he sums up all these things God hates as done by people who have a crooked heart.

So, how can one avoid this crooked heart that we all by nature have? Solomon gives us an answer in these following verses. Those who are blameless, pure and seek to pursue righteousness will surely be receiving many blessings and also have deliverance from sin.

REFLECTION

  • Can someone who does not know God go against his sinful nature? Why or why not?

PROVERBS 11 WHEN THERE IS NO GUIDANCE

PROVERBS

October 12

PROVERBS 11

13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.
17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
18   The wicked earns deceptive wages,

   but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

                                                                   – Proverbs 11:13-18

PROVERBS 11 WHEN THERE IS NO GUIDANCE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one does not seek counsel, he will surely fall

It is unwise to think that you know it all

The Lord knows all things and sees all things

It is foolish to think that you can stand on your own

When there is no guidance, there is chaos and destruction

A wise person listens to advice; a wicked man ignores it.

Solomon continues to lay down differences between the righteous and the wicked and the consequences that their actions bring about. Verse 14 of this chapter stood out to me as it lays the foundation for living a life of humility and dependence on God. All the resources God provides for us comes from him alone and we ought to humbly glorify him with what we were given. Arrogance and pride are opposites of humility which lead people to bring glory to themselves instead of thanking and praising God.

A proud and arrogant person would never acknowledge the existence of God because that will defy his self love. Naturally, they would never seek counsel from anyone since that would mean that they are not the center of the universe. Because of their foolishness, they will surely fail and fall in whatever they pursue.

REFLECTION

  • What does Romans 1:28 say about those who do not acknowledge God?

PROVERBS 11 ON BELITTLING

October 11

PROVERBS 11

7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
    and the expectation of wealthperishes too.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
    and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.

                                                             – Proverbs 11:7-12

PROVERBS 11 ON BELITTLING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one has wisdom, he is impartial and understanding

But a man who lacks sense will be discriminating

If one walks the way of the righteous, he is unbiased

But the one who are wicked will have preferences

When one belittles others, they show their foolishness

But one who remains silent is full of wisdom and awareness.

Solomon explains why people belittle others in verse 12. These people do not have understanding. They lack sense. But the book of James has a half chapter of explanation for this sin. He calls it the sin of partiality. He says that those who believe in Christ must not take part in having biases or preferences. He gives the example of selecting people based on how they appear when they come to the place of worship. If you give preference and treat the richly dressed well and belittle someone poorly clothed, you have made distinctions and become evil judges.

Solomon warns us to watch out that we do not belittle others for it shows foolishness.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think people belittle others?

PROVERBS 11 THE BLAMELESS’ WAY VERSUS THE WICKED’S PATH

October 10

PROVERBS 11

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
    but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

                                                             – Proverbs 11:1-6

PROVERBS 11 THE BLAMELESS’ WAY VERSUS THE WICKED’S PATH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Blessed are the meek for they will possess wisdom and knowledge

The proud and the wicked on the other hand will be destroyed

Those who are honest and faithful in walking in uprightness

They will receive much guidance, protection, favors and blessings

Those who continue to do wicked things are driven by their lusts

But the blameless do not give in to their cravings and desires

The path of the righteous leads to life as they walk in love

The way of the wicked leads to death as they cave in to lust.

This proverb of Solomon reiterates Psalm 1 of David where he describes the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. Solomon lays down the consequences of a life choice that is guided by either righteousness or wickedness. He talks about justice, humility, integrity and love of earthly riches. Just like how David pointed out the blessings received from living a righteous life, Solomon also enumerates the consequences of choices we make based on treading the path of uprightness against wickedness.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to be aware of the choices we make in life?

PROVERBS 10 WHAT RIGHTEOUSNESS & WICKEDNESS BRING

October 9

PROVERBS 10

25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
    but the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,  but destruction to evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

                                                                    – Proverbs 10:25-32

PROVERBS 10 WHAT RIGHTEOUSNESS & WICKEDNESS BRING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To the righteous, blessings and wisdom are bountiful

But to the wicked, destruction and chaos abound

When the righteous speaks, it brings much sense

The wicked people’s lips speak only what is perverse

Those who live in the ways of the Lord have so much joy

The evildoers on the other hand thrive in dissatisfaction.

In these following verses, Solomon continues to show us the benefits of doing what is right and expose the ill effects of doing evil. I particularly want to focus on verse 28 when he says “the expectation of the wicked will perish.” Expectations can lead us to hopelessness, frustrations, dissatisfaction and discouragement. When our expectations do not happen, we can get stuck on having that expectation fulfilled. Because our nature is so sinful, it is a good reminder that our expectations can be very selfish and self-serving. We need to have expectancy instead. We need to focus on expecting God’s promises to be fulfilled because it will never let us down.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to recognize the consequences of doing evil and doing good?

PROVERBS 10 ON GUARDING ONE’S MOUTH

October 8

PROVERBS 10

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
    but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
    the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,

         but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,

         and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
  but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
  but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

                                                           – Proverbs 10:19-24

PROVERBS 10 ON GUARDING ONE’S MOUTH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we open our mouth to say something

We must be concise and use less words when speaking

The more words we use, the more occasion to be sinning

The righteous person guards his mouth and restrains it

The mouth of the righteous benefits others and make sense

Those who are foolish destroy others for they speak lies.

It is a challenge to guard our mouths. In the book of James, we are cautioned about the tongue which is a very small part of our body but can create much good or havoc in our lives. In chapter 3 James compares the tongue to a rudder of a ship and also to a small fire. As a rudder, it leads a very big ship and guides and directs it wherever the ship goes. As a small fire, it can set a whole forest ablaze. It is a very small member but it boasts of many things. Solomon speaks about the importance of guarding our mouths because it can either lead us and others to sin. The more we talk, the more we open doors for the enemy to twist our words. He suggests being prudent and concise with our words.

REFLECTION

·       How can many words lead us to sin?

PROVERBS 10 ON HEEDING INSTRUCTION & REJECTING REPROOF

October 7

PROVERBS 10

13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
    but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
    but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and whoever utters slander is a fool.– Proverbs 10:13-18

PROVERBS 10 ON HEEDING INSTRUCTION & REJECTING REPROOF

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

There is a wise man whose lips has understanding and wisdom

But the mouth of a foolish person brings chaos and ruin

Those who have wisdom follow the Lord’s instructions

But those who are wicked reject any form of correction

Whoever heeds instruction is on their way to life

But he who does not listen to reproof leads others to lies.

Solomon continues to give us wise advice for our lives in these following verses. He describes the contrast between the wise and the fools once again. I’d like to focus on the heeding and rejecting instruction here. Since God himself gave us a navigation tool to life in his laws and commandments, it is beneficial for us to follow them instead of rejecting them. Solomon lays down the consequences of heeding instructions against defying them.

In verse 17, he clearly gives us a picture of what happens to us if we choose not to obey God’s laws. It leads us to deception and lies. In the book of James chapter 3, he describes the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. When we don’t heed God’s word, we become deceived and will surely lead others astray.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think of Christians who reject God’s laws?