THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for
the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
PROVERBS
CHAPTER 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
A person must have an inner desire in order to pursue things of wisdom. That desire must come from the Holy Spirit of God indwelling the sould.
A person without God has no delight in wisdom. He only wants to satisfy his own heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
A person without God has contempt for others, and brings the reproach of God upon himself.
When a person knows God in his heart, his words are like the deep clear waters of a well or brook: they are refreshing, and invigorating.
A perverted justice brings harm to any society or nation.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
A person without God argues in himself with the validity of God, and therefore calls upon himself the reproach of God.
The words of the person without God will demonstrate his contempt for God and others.
OH! How the gossip HURTS others! Malicious tales bring "wounds" that reach into the deepest feelings.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
The lazy person is akin to the wasteful person. The lazy person wastes the time God has given him.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
The person who loves the Lord will exhibit trust in every situation.
While those who trust in riches build walls of conceit, the truly humble will enter into faith with God.
The truly humble person will find honour at judgment day, while the haughty will receive destruction.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Some people draw conclusions when they have only heard part of the situation. To do so is foolish and often brings the shame of finding that the conclusion was in error.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
In life we face many difficulties, all of which are endurable with a "spirit" of positivity and faith.
When a person is "wounded" in his spirit though, he needs someone to help: Someone to help share the burden and carry the load. Jesus is that Someone!
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Those who have a sincere desire for wisdom will SEEK it. And Jesus said, "...seek and ye shall find.." (Luke 11:9).
The person truly seeking wisdom will not have to search far before Jesus is revealed unto him.
While in the Philippines, I met a man who had been a Taoist. He told me in his heart he felt "unfulfilled." Then someone told him about Jesus. When he surrendered to Christ, he realized fulfillment and joy in his heart.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Truly, we are ALL corrupted with sin (Romans 3:23). In this world, if a person low on the "totem pole" of society wants to have access to a person high, then all he needs is a bribe ("gift").
Sometimes that bribe needs only to be a word or two of flattery.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Just because a person speaks and "seemeth" just, doesn't mean the matter shouldn't be examined.
When two disagree, and the matter cannot be fully known, then the "lot" determines justice between the two. The "lot," remember, was to first ask God, then cast the stones of decision.
In every matter between two people, it is best to seek God's wise counsel.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
It is very very hard to win back the confidence of someone whom we have offended. Trust broken is hard to redeem.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Again, we are reminded that a man's words show who he really is in his heart. If a man's relationship with God ("belly") is satisfied with his words, then he is satisfied indeed.
The "power of the tongue" is to exhibit a person's relationship with God. He who loves to speak of God shall receive the "fruit" of eternal life. He who loves to speak of himself shall receive the "fruit" of eternal destruction.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
OH! I could write for HOURS on this one!
Indeed, if a man finds a "good" wife, he has been BLESSED, wonderfully blessed, of God!
And what is a "good wife?" See Proverbs 31 for God's answer!
Young men and women should be PRAYING for God to send them a "good" mate for life. And when they search, they should search in the places where godly people go!
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
The word "poor" here reflects not only a station in life, but also a condition of the heart. It is notable that most poor people have an humble heart. They have learned, because of their condition, to plead rather than demand.
The "rich" reflects power and self-sustainment. It is notable that most people who are rich spend little time pleading; rather, they demand.
In seeking friends, a man must SHOW that he is friendly. He will do that better with pleading than demanding!
When one is seeking the friendship of God, he must come in the manner of the poor: Pleading, begging, genuinely desiring God's presence in his life.
Then, that person will find a "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother!" WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS!
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.