Proverbs 18
Find safety in the name of the Lord.
Proverbs 18:10—The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
We all would like to have a friend who walks with us during the best and worse of times; a friend who is not afraid to see our scars or hear our heart; a friend who will not hesitate to tell us we are wrong or encourage us to do what is right; a friend who loves us as we are but will not stand by to watch us fall…be such a friend to another. (Ref. Proverbs 18:24)
Job 4:7-9 – Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
Eliphaz believed Job had committed some type of sin for so much to happen to him (Job 1:1-2:13). He couldn’t imagine that Job could be righteous in spite of all that have occurred.
Oftentimes the same occurs today when people associate good news or situations with God’s favor and the opposite as a punishment for sin. (God rains blessings on the just and unjust alike, Matthew 5:44-45). Without foreknowledge from the Lord, we have no idea why someone is experiencing a season of sorrow. Every story sounds true until we hear the other side (Proverbs 18:17).
Be careful not to judge the circumstances of others (Matthew 7:1-2). We may have no idea what the Lord is doing in the life of another (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/DlikeDagmara
Proverbs 18:22 – Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
1. You have found a good thing. When a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing. She is the woman God told you was yours…a woman made just for you. You found her, and she became your wife. She became your help meet to fulfill the plans and purposes of God.
2. God found favor with you. Think about that for a moment…God specifically prepared a woman just for you – like a tailor-made suit or a warm glove upon the hand.
Proverbs 18:16 – A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
As Solomon describes in Proverbs, it is the gift that makes room for a man, not the other way around. We are to bring glory to the Lord through our good works (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12) – the gifts are HIS, used for HIS purpose, and bring HIM glory upon the earth.
After a season of ministry, there can be times of silence in your transition. You may be doing things for God, but it still seems like you’re neither here or there. You feel settled, but not settled…almost…lost. You miss the previous season of ministry, but you know you can’t go back – only forward. Even if you tried, it wouldn’t be the same.
But where do I begin? I don’t have the same ‘title’ or position I once had and nobody knows who I am.
Psalm 37:8 – Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
There comes a time when you’re so mad that the the scripture above doesn’t come to mind. In fact, the only thing that comes to mind when you’re mad is revenge; giving into temptation/sin; and going O-F-F on someone! Peace, love, calmness are no where near your mind.
Anger is a dangerous emotion. Anger desires a response. It doesn’t consider the consequences. It only considers itself – at all costs. It’s a highway to other emotions and actions:
Don’t open your mouth when:
1. In the heat of anger- Proverbs 14:17, [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
2. When you don’t have all the facts- Proverbs 18:13, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
3. When you haven’t verified the story- Deuteronomy 17:6, At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
The decisions we make and our attitudes throughout the day (that affects those decisions) are often based on the thoughts we allow to fill our minds. If I’m thinking about negative issues all day (people, places, and things), how can I expect to be happy and upbeat?! I’ll be just as negative as the thoughts I allow to run free within my mind.
You become what you think!
If you’ve been wondering why you’re mad and upset throughout the day, take time to inventory what you’ve been thinking about. A change of behavior is as close as a change in thought…well…that’s where it begins. Strive to keep your mind in perfect peace by thinking about the right things:
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