Daily Devotional for March 7
God's Wisdom for Daily Living
Devotional Scripture
Proverbs 10:31-32(KJV):31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
Proverbs 10:31-32(Amplified):
31 The mouth of the righteous (those harmonious with God) brings forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down (as a barren and rotten tree).
32 The lips of the (uncompromisingly) righteous know (and therefore utter) what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows (and therefore speaks only) what is obstinately willful and contrary.
Thought for the Day
Verses 31-32 - When I was young, children would often quote the saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." After studying the Bible, I realize that this old adage is not true. Derogatory names and harsh words are harmful, both to the person addressed and the speaker. Words are powerful. Lawyers use powerful words to build cases. Our nation's laws consist of volumes of words. National treaties are formed by words. Words announce the daily news and enable us to communicate with each other. God used words to create the universe, speaking everything into existence (Genesis 1). The Bible is the Word of God. Jesus Himself is referred to as the living Word (John 1:1). Words are powerful!
God's Word has much to say about how we should speak. Biblically, praying for God's blessing or speaking good and uplifting words to someone is referred to as blessing. Speaking evil against someone or wishing ill toward them is referred to as cursing. "Curse words" or "cussing" originated from speaking evil words. Profanity is using God's Name in vain or speaking irreverently of Him. It ranges from mild expletives to horrible blasphemies. Society accepts foul language as normal. Popular films and television programs depict it as a way to vent anger or verbally assault others. Such use demonstrates that cursing is wrong because it demeans others. Jesus said that cursing points to evil in the heart. It is common today for both men and women to curse and never consider it as an indication of evil in their hearts. They view it as inconsequential, as something everyone does. Scripture teaches that this "little" matter of cursing and using God's Name in vain defiles the whole person.
Have you ever wondered why people do not use the names of gods of other religions when they curse? The names that the devil hates are "God," "Christ," "Jesus Christ," and "Jesus." Terms about hell and heaven are also used in derogatory ways. The very misuse of these words proves the existence of God and the reality of a heaven and hell. Neither adults nor children should use bad language, if we are to be like our Lord. We do not have to use curse words to emphasize our intentions (Colossians 3:8; Matthew 5:37).
Proverbs states that God accepts the words of the righteous, but the words of the wicked will one day be cut off, along with those who speak them. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).
Prayer Devotional for the Day
Dear Father, thank you for all that You have done for me. Lord, I ask You to forgive me for failing You. Lord, I want my words to be like Your Words. Lord, You never speak any unkind thing. You are gentle and loving. Your Words are always the truth. We can depend on You and trust that what You said is the truth. You never lie. Lord, may I be good for my word. Help me not to give it lightly, and when I do tell someone I will do something, remind me if I fail to keep my word so I can make it right. In our society it seems that so many, especially in the business world, are very careless about their words. Help me to be a witness for You as one that keeps their word even as You do. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken ... but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, ... for the Lord delighteth in thee. And as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. He hath sent me ... to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness and in mercies.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Isaiah 54:5; Ephesians 5:32; Isaiah 62:4-5; Isaiah 61:3; Isaiah 61:10; Hosea 2:19; Romans 8:35
All his saints are in thy hand. The word of the Lord came unto Elijah, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. And the word of the Lord can unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
Psalm 31:15; Deuteronomy 33:3; 1 Kings 17:2-4; 1 Kings 17:8-9; Matthew 6:25; Matthew 6:32. Prov. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 5:7
