June 1, 2020

The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!

In chapter 15 we see a variety of topics addressed by the author. One of the things the author points to is seen in verse 9: “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.” The reason for this is seen clearly in verse 11, which states “Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!”

We see from these verses that God is interested more in the worship of our hearts than in our religious actions. As we know from the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 29:13) it is possible for us to do all of the right things outwardly while our hearts are actually far from the LORD! 

To put it in today’s context, it is possible for us to be super involved at church, read our Bibles every day, and pray consistently and still have hearts that are far from God! God does not only want our obedience in actions; obeying Him in our behaviors is absolutely essential, but if we are not obeying Him and drawing near to Him from the heart then all our religious behavior is less than worthless!

If we worship God in hypocrisy, either by our lives not lining up with His Word or by our hearts being far from Him, our worship is in vain. We must learn to obey Him both in our actions and from our hearts

Proverbs 15

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
22 Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
    but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
    but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility comes before honor.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Family Discussion Question:

  • Why is it so important that we not only do what God says but obey Him from the heart? How can our acts of worship become empty if they aren’t done from hearts that love and treasure God above all else?

20 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-June 1st”

  1. Heavenly Father, may I fear you this day. May I search for you continually with all my heart. Hide me and mine under your protecting wings. Visit each of within my family with dreams and visions giving them clear instruction on wise living. Draw each of us closer to you filling each anew and afresh with your Holy Spirit enabling us to do your will. As you Son came to seek and to save that which was lost, may we, together, find one more for Jesus. Amen

    1. Amen! LORD I ask for Your hedge of protection around my family; please guide each of us with Your wisdom in the path(s) we are to follow according to Your perfect plan.

  2. Dear Father, thank you for loving me and protecting me daily. I yearn to know You more and more each day.

  3. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. I will pursue righteousness. My pleasant words will be pure and my righteous heart will ponder how to answer.

  4. Oh Lord, keep me searching for a heart of gold!
    That keep me searching for a heart of gold. And I’m getting old. Keep me searching for a heart of gold And I’m getting old. I’ve been to Hollywood I’ve been to Redwood I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold. I’ve been in my mind, It’s such a fine line That keeps me searching for a heart of gold. And I’m getting old. Keeps me searching for a heart of gold
    Heart of Gold by Neil Young

  6. Dear Heavenly Father,
    I was taught at a very early age to love You with all of my heart, my mind, and my soul. When we give our all to You, that is just what it means…to surrender every part of our being to You. Lord, please search my heart and make it soft and kind and pleasing to You. Show me ways where I fall short or have the wrong motives. Renew in me a pure heart, Oh Lord for I want to please You and place Your desires before mine. Thank You for another day. Guide me as I begin work again today to be a calming, loving spirit to the children in my care. In Jesus’ most precious and Holy name. Amen.

    1. Well prayed. My thoughts and prayers as well.In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

  7. Thank you for teaching me to reverence you . I seek your wisdom every morning during my prayer time.

  8. Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for your instructions on how we should live and treat others. Lord, look at my heart and reveal to me when it is not aligned with you. Show me daily the error of my ways so that I can confess and repent. I want to be the light in the darkness and most of all when people see and hear me speak they see the love of Christ and you. Remove me so that others can see you. In Jesus name. Amen

  9. As I read this chapter, I highlighted words that jumped out at me.
    soft–harsh
    wise–foolish
    evil–good
    despises–heeds
    treasure–trouble
    wicked–upright
    glad–sorrow
    cheerful–crushed
    knowledge–folly
    love–hatred
    strife–quietness
    glad–despised
    lack sense–understand
    upward–beneath
    tears down–maintains
    far from–hears
    ignores instruction–gains intelligence
    humility–honor
    All of these are opposite comparison words. This chapter gives us the instructions for living life. It shows the wrong way and the right way. God has laid it all out for us. He gives us His instructions for life. His wisdom. He shows us the way to fear the Lord in our daily walks. Do we obey His words? He honors our obedience!

    Oh Father, how I want to know you more! Help me to love as you love. Help me to reach those who don’t know you. Heal our land Lord. Heal our hearts. Bind Satan! You already have the victory! We love you and want to obey your teachings. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!!

  10. Lord, guide and direct me every day of my life. Thank you for your protection, your love and your mercy. Give me the wisdom to make good choices in my lifetime. You have been so faithful to me. Thank you for your word which teaches us how to live in righteousness. Let you light shine bright through me so that others can see you. Amen

  12. Teach me your ways my Lord. Help me to be your light in our dark world. Verses 22 and 23????Amen

  13. We can deceive others with what we do, but God knows who we are. That’s why our outward obedience is of secondary importance, while our our inward submission to God is primary. We can act right with people, but not be right with God.

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