June 5, 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!
One of the various topics that chapter 19 addresses is that of the benefits of wisdom and of fearing the LORD. Verse 8 states that “Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.” We know from the beginning of the book of Proverbs that any and all true sense, wisdom, knowledge, or understanding is rooted in the fear of the LORD (Prov. 1:7), and in verse 23 we see the “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
It is incredibly important as we think about pursuing the wisdom of God, seeking to live in ways that are wise and honoring to Him, to remember that there is great reward in doing so! In seeking God and His wisdom, we are seeking our own good, and we can rest assured that the life He gives to those who fear Him is the only true life that exists (see John 10:10)!
Proverbs 19
19 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth brings many new friends,
but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
6 Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.
8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is ruin to his father,
and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.
17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and beating for the backs of fools.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- Is it selfish to seek your own good and to seek fullness of life for yourself I pursuing God and His wisdom? Why or why not?
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is so important to teach children all of the ways You have commanded at an early age.
A person’s personality is formed in their early youth and if they gain knowledge and truth from the Lord, they will lead a more fulfilled life and will not depart from it. God loves His children and wants the very best for them. In seeking Him and His will in all things, you will find abundant life. It is not selfish to want what God has in store for us. It pleases God to give us His blessings. We cannot outdo or outgive God. But all the wealth in the world is worthless compared to the wisdom and love from God. A person who has a heart for God is indeed a rich man. Please guide me in the ways You should have me go. Make me be an instrument of light and peace for You. Help me spread Your love and truth everywhere I can. I especially have one young man in mind Lord, who is suffering from a verbally abusive father. Please cover him with your loving arms and calm the wrath that he faces each day. Bring peace to that family and so many more who dont know you, Lord. To know You and love You with all your heart is the greatest treasure any man could ever find. Thank You, Lord for loving me. In Jesus’ name . Amen
Lord, protect this young man from his father’s words.
Lord,
I pray your hand of protection over this one. Lord, you know him by name and you love him. I pray you will surround him with your presence in such a way that he gains strength and hope today.
In your precious name. Amen
Lord help this young man from his fathers wrath. Bring him out of the house of pain from his father. Amen
At this moment, about 5:40 am in the morning, my daughter, Diane, is arriving at the hospital in Georgetown, Texas, where she will have major reconstructive surgery. No malignancy, this is to correct the breast cancer surgery that was done improperly over 10 years ago, making it uncomfortable even to wear a necklace. She is expected to be in the hospital over the weekend with no visitors. Her husband, Tom Goodman, is a pastor in Austin. Tom and Diane grew up at CFBC. I know hundreds of prayers are going up for her. Please add yours.
God bless,
Frank Dartez
Lord, be with Diane’s doctors. Heal her through their hands. Calm her family’s hearts. Walk with her through this, Lord. Amen
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Lord,
I lift Diane up to you this morning. I pray you will guide every detail of her surgery with your great hands. Thank you for your provision and watch care over her and her family. I pray your protection and peace over each of them as they walk with Diane today and in the days to come as she recovers. May it be a full and beautiful recovery.
In your precious name,
Amen
Praying for her, Frank and Nell
Praying for precious Diane and the whole family.
I am praying for your daughter Diane that their is no malignancy in her breast.
Lord, I lift our nation to you this morning. This tension and strife and destruction is not Your way for us. Amen
Father, throughout this work day may I praise your holy name. You alone are worthy of praise and honor. Thank you for your words of instruction. May I speak words of wisdom this day sharing knowledge of you and your ways will all that listen. May they be uplifting words, words of encouragement. These are dark and evil days. While the devil is seeking whom he can devour, may we lock arms and go forth to find one more for you son, Jesus. Amen
Dear Lord,
I lift up this young man to you…..protect Him and let Him know you love Him. Please be with Diane as she is going through the surgery.
I will listen to counsel and accept discipline, so that I may be wise the rest of my days. I will walk in integrity and be a prudent wife.
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21) NLT
Dear Lord,
I had made so many plans this year before the pandemic hit. And now, these plans don’t look at all like I thought they would.
Such a reminder to me that all my plans are in your hands, and your purpose will prevail. Even though my heart may be discouraged, I know you can be trusted.
In Jesus’s name.
Amen
Lord, as you have Diane in Your hands, I am confident that she will be healed completely. Let her feel your presence and give her peace before, during, and after. Let her recovery be swift with great success. Be with all of her family during this time. Thank you Jesus.?
Absolutely, I will be praying for Diane….who has been loved and prayed for by Tom and Jane Hope for many years.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for another day. Help me not to be selfish and to always put you and others first. I join in the prayer requests for Diane’s surgery and her family that you will be the surgeon in the operating room as you are perfect and makes no mistakes. Keep her family healthy and strong as they support her at this time. Give her a speedy recovery and an awesome testimony to share with others the goodness of Jesus. I also pray for the young man that is dealing with strife at this time asking you to help him see and know that he is loved and is a child of the King. Whisper in his ears and speak to his heart with reassurance that this will only last for a season. Bring him out of this situation with wholeness, love for others and wisdom that only you can provide during our trials. Use this trial as a testimony for him to share with others. Jesus, you are a miracle worker and are working miracles everyday and I pray for a miracle for Diane and this young man as you have them to seek you. Please also continue to show us your truth as we deal with this pandemic, the injustice and mistreatment of others and that your voice would be the loudest that we all hear. Thank you for your word and your goodness. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen
Sending up prayers for the young man who needs the lord’s protection in his life and for Diane and her family!
AMEN to Proverbs 19! A Pastor years ago said he did not sing the song “I have Religion and I am Satisfied”, because we can never be satisfied until all our doing God’s Word!
Thank You, Jesus, for being sovereign and that Your purpose will always prevail. Amen.
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23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
One of my favorite verses, “21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Prov. 19:21)
Praise God that he has plans, that include us. Thank you Lord for caring enough for each of us, that you would include us in your plans.