Proverbs 25

READ CHAPTER 25 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,

OR FOLLOW THE LINK HERETO READ IT ONLINE!

  

 VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

 

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

 To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:1-3 (NKJV)
 

A Word Fitly Spoken

          The wisdom of God is such an amazing thing.  It brings understanding when things make no sense, it brings healing to the hurting, it uplifts those who are beat down and provides refuge for those in need of His love.  His wisdom makes difficult situations go smoothly and makes the very elect stand in awe.  A word fitly spoken, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, can change the atmosphere of any situation. 

Proverbs 25:2,”It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.”  God knows all things, sees all things and created all things.  He loves for you to seek Him.  He loves to be the first person you run to when you don’t know what to do instead of the last.  He is saying He honors those who search Him, those who long for His thoughts and wisdom in their life.  Take out those things in your life that can be a distraction or cloud your communication with Him.  It’s hard to get rid of “wicked” (vs 5) things in your life, but when you do, you will find an open heaven between you and the Lord.  He will be able to pour into you to the fullest.  

            Proverbs 25:6-12 is a hard pill to swallow.  It hit me right in the gut!!!  It talks about how to respond in, what I would consider, everyday situations.  Do not walk into any situation thinking yourself better than those around you.  ALWAYS walk in humility.  I do not think the Lord is saying to walk around with your head hanging down, thinking yourself a no body.  But, I do think he means to come in knowing your place and don’t think yourself above “scrubbing toilets”.  Even Jesus washed others feet.  In verse 7 it says, “For better is it that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, who eyes have seen you.”  When you aren’t thinking of yourself as "somebody special", it helps you to be a person who is patient and considerate, not moving quickly to strive [making great efforts to achieve or obtain something] but with fear and trembling, so you do not prove yourself to be a fool.

 The Lord also warns us to be slow to enter confrontation and make sure you have all the facts straight, so you won’t be unwise in front of those watching.  Vs 9 states, “Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another’s secret.”  Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.  So many times I have “inserted my foot into my mouth”, as the saying goes.  Listen to that quickening inside you that lets you know when to say anything and when you’ve said enough.  He is trying His best to keep us from bringing shame on ourselves or creating a bad reputation.  He will let you know what to say and when to walk away.  I am reminded in this of my son this year and the battle I had inside with his teacher.  I have never had any issues whatsoever with any teacher of either of my children.  His first 3 week progress report had one low grade and the rest were “A’s”.  I quickly wrote her an email stating that I knew it was probably him being lazy but what could I do to help and she responded with many thanks and said yes, she would work with him and that was that.  Well, when the report card came home it was the same exact grades.  I felt fire in my veins and smoke coming out of my ears.  I was shaking all over because I was so mad.  After all, I had done my part as a parent and sought her out.  I paced the house, creating all kinds of mean emails in my mind.  I was going to call the principle and get this straight.  As I sat down to write the email, I quickly said, “Lord, please give me wisdom” and the peace of God over took my body.  I felt it start at my head and end at my toes.  I could no longer be mad and think of angry words, but instead let it go.  I never wrote her one email.  Ethan never made another bad grade in that class.  I think the lesson was for me.  I could have made a bad reputation for myself, but, thankfully, I sought His wisdom before any response.  Vs 11 says, “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  (It’s rich!)

Treat others the way you want to be treated.  Be uplifting to your neighbor, keep your word, give to those in need, for the Lord blesses it greatly.  Don’t be quarrelsome with others, but give encouragement!  Take control of your tongue and your thoughts!! 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  ERIN (Briggs) FORTNER is the wife of 11 years to Clint, and mother to three children.  Erin and her family live in the beautiful Hill Country and attend Living Spring Assembly of God in Bandera, TX.  She is very involved in her church where she serves leading worship and teaching Sunday School.  She is a very gifted speaker and worship leader, and has led out in these capacities at Ladies and Young Ladies (Jr. High/High School) conferences.  Her parents are Pastor Scott and Sister Kathy Briggs of Oak Grove Harvest Assembly of God in Spurger, Texas.