Daily Devotion of Proverbs 8

Daily Nugget:
The Bible-preserved wisdom of God is again recognized in this chapter as one of the most valuable treasures a person can ever possess. To many, the Scriptures are common sense and easily discerned as the only choice for a moral, especially a Christ-honoring, person.

However, to an ever-increasing majority, this is not accepted. Since biblical morality is seldom taught in homes, churches, schools, and in public, another kind of “wisdom” has reared its confusing head and is leading masses in the wrong, often destruction, directions. This widespread thinking is to usually agree with the majority and that the only truth is what each individual believes is “right” at the time. This mob rule is controlling and often forsakes rational, God’s time-tested morality.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Prov. 12:15 Also: Deut. 12:8, Judges 17:6, 21:25, Prov. 21:2.

Unfortunately, this modern philosophy is not standardized and can vary by nationality, peer groups, what is popular at the time, and changes for each person quite often. What was “truth” yesterday may not be “truth” today. Media propaganda machines churn out a version of what they want people to believe and further divides and confuses. The bottom line is there is no real truth today for many. Truth is up for grabs! Yesteryear’s immorality is often today’s “morality.”

However, forgotten in most personal book collections, the wisdom that God always promised would be preserved, remains ready to whisper to its readers God’s truths and never-failing promises. It is the Bible, the Word of God, and the origin of real, working, concrete Truth.

For those that would dare to distrust the ever-changing “truths” of today and open, read, and believe God’s Word, they would find wisdom that works for all people throughout history.

The advantages of godly wisdom are:

• It will help one speak real, always-reliable Truth (vss. 7-8).
• It will make sense (vs. 9).
• It is the most valuable asset (vss. 10-11, 18-19).
• It will help one make correct decisions (“discretion” — vss. 12, 13).
• It will help one lead rather than being a follower (vss. 15-16, 20).
• It will bless others because of one’s wisdom (vs. 21).
• It has always been available from the very beginning (vss. 23-31).

Close one’s ears to the ever-changing, opinionated advice from the world. It is too often wrong!

Open your ears and eyes to God’s preserved wisdom that will bless and guide one’s life more than can ever be imagined.
“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:33-36

Today’s Thought:
“A wise person hears the words of God and puts them into practice.” — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Abomination: detested; strongly hated; seen as vile
Prudence: discretion in making decisions

Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 8
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 ¶ I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 ¶ The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 ¶ Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.