Category Archives: Proverbs

Reading:
Proverbs 10:1-11

Sometimes I feel so empty. I think most of the time that’s due to not focusing on the fullness I truly have.

But that aside, I was impressed again by the first part of this verse:

“The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked” (3).

Especially coming as it does before this verse:

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (4).

Famish. Poverty. They seem to go together, no?

Well, then….

If I were more attentive and more generous in meeting the emotional and spiritual emptiness of those around me, perhaps I would experience so much “famishing” of my own soul.

So be generous with encouragement!

And praise.

And commendation.

And attention.

And “positiveness.”

And all their kin.

[The wise in heart will receive commandments (Proverbs 10:8)]
from Proverbs 10:8

A little bit more from Proverbs 10: It’s Summer!

Reading:
Proverbs 9:10-18

That’s part of the nature and enticement of evil, at least in some of its phases.

In verse 17, the simple woman declares:

“Stolen waters are sweet.”

True!

“Bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

True again!

Oh the sweet, pleasant thrill of doing what I shouldn’t be doing!

Long before Solomon wrote Proverbs, Moses made the choice to deny himself that sweet, pleasant thrill in Egypt:

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25).

That’s right — the sweet, pleasant thrill doesn’t last. Pleasure and sweetness have their season in the Sin Cycle. Then they’re gone.

“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel” (Proverbs 20:17).

Mark! (There, I got my attention.)

Remember that the Gravel Phase comes after the Bread Phase in the Sin Cycle.

Always.

[Be wise (Proverbs 9:12)]
from Proverbs 9:12

A little bit more from Proverbs 9: Is