Proverbs 10:16-32

For Reading and Meditation:     Proverbs 10:9-17

We look now at the fifth pillar of wisdom - watchfulness with words. Anyone who does not understand the importance of words and the impact they can produce for good or bad is not a wise person. The book of Proverbs has a good deal to say about the power of words: this is without doubt one of its major themes. Today's...

For Reading and Meditation:     Hebrews 12:1-13

We ended yesterday by saying that some things in life, such as the desire to have money, can be legitimate concerns but they must be looked upon as desires and never become goals. Permit me to differentiate between the two. A goal is a purpose to which a person is unalterably committed and something for which he or...

For Reading and Meditation:     Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

Did you know the more talkative you are, the more likely you are to fall into sin? If you have any doubt about that, read Proverbs 10:19. In the verses before us today, Solomon identifies another danger - making promises to God which we fail to deliver. How many of us in...

"The desires of the righteous shall be granted." Proverbs 10:24

Because it is a righteous desire it is safe for God to grant it. It would be neither good for the man himself, nor for society at large, that such a promise should be made to the unrighteous. Let us keep the LORD's commands, and He will rightfully have respect to our desires.

When righteous men are left to desire unrighteous desires, they will not be granted to...

"The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened." Proverbs 10:27

There is no doubt about it. The fear of the LORD leads to virtuous habits, and these prevent that waste of life which comes of sin and vice. The holy rest which springs out of faith in the LORD Jesus also greatly helps a man when he is ill.Every physician rejoices to have a patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry kills, but...

Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God. § One of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;...

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. § You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand … The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your...

My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. § He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. § If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. § For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. § Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.Christ… suffered for us, leaving us an...

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. § When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him?Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. § How great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! § I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should...

To you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, … “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” § The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.He who has ears to hear, let him hear! § Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. § The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. § If anyone wills to...