Daily Devotional for January 30

God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture

Proverbs 4:10-13(KJV):
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Thought for the Day

Verses 10-13 - Many of the instructions in Proverbs promote longevity of life. One of those teachings is that children obey their parents. Those who disobey may expose themselves to dangerous situations that can ultimately take their lives. Many young people think they are smarter than their parents; calling them "old-fashioned" and saying that they do not know what they are talking about. They do not recognize that with age comes something only time can produce: experience. In failing to take advantage of their elders' experiences, they miss opportunities to learn valuable lessons that can keep them from harm and prevent them from making the same mistakes that their elders made.

The warning to men to stay away from loose women (and women from lustful men) also brings long life if heeded. Those who remain chaste before marriage avoid emotional pain and the risk of sexually-transmitted diseases. Virgins enter marriage free from the emotional scars of previous relationships or the stigma of disease which they could transmit to their spouse.

Heeding the admonishment to avoid bad company also adds years to one's life. Getting involved with the wrong kind of people, and choosing their ways rather than the Lord's can lead to ruin and even death. It is true that there is "no honor among thieves." Members of the "wrong crowd" commit all kinds of crimes, including theft. If they steal from others, in time they will steal from you, even if they claim to be your friends. They can also stoop to murder, and you could be a victim of their anger and lack of morals.

These are but a few of the things that the Bible mentions we should avoid in order to obtain the promise of long life. In following God's instructions and applying godly wisdom, we will not stumble and fall, but will walk in the pathway of life. When we are determined to walk in God's ways, He watches over us, keeping us from the evils that Satan wants to bring upon us.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us instructions in the Bible on how to have a long and good life. Lord, I know that when I pray and ask You to watch over me and my loved ones, that You hear, and You answer my prayers. You are such a wonderful Father! I am grateful for Your love and watch care. I desire to walk in the pathway of life, so Lord, I would ask that You keep me on that path. Please warn me when I am straying, so that I do not get off the straight and narrow way. I realize that I can be blinded by my own desires and ideas, that at times, look good to me, but might not be good later on. Help me to today, not to be discouraged by what seems like a delay in the answer to my prayers. I know as I continue to look to You in faith, You will prevail in my behalf. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.

Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-2; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:33; Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Philippians 3:13-14; Hosea 6:3

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

We have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us; and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Lamentations 3:27; Proverbs 22:6; Hebrews 12:9-10; Psalm 119:67-71; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Peter 5:6