The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (34 page)

May 5

A True Witness

     
A true witness delivers souls,

     
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

This is a sober, serious, and yet exciting proverb. On the one hand, it tells us that one of the reasons people are deceived and are believing all kinds of crazy, destructive things is because there are those who are lying to them. That’s right! I like it when there is a clear, easy-to-understand diagnosis.

This is what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1-2: “The Spirit clearly says that in latter times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (
NIV
).

On the other hand, our proverb today says that a truthful witness saves souls. In Acts 20:26-27 Paul said, “I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (
NIV
).

Is there someone whose soul you really care about? Jesus said that truth is what sets people free (see John 8:32). Will you pray right now about sending them a Gospel of John, e-mailing them with a Scripture like John 3:16, or telling them you would like to share your testimony with them sometime?

After all, a truthful witness saves souls.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

First Peter 3:15 tells us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (
NIV
).

Are you afraid to share your faith? You don’t know where to start? Bill Faye wrote a book called
Share Jesus without Fear
. He suggests conversation starters that I have used to talk to complete strangers in airplanes, on ski lifts, in hospitals, all over. My favorite question to start with is “Do you have any spiritual beliefs?” It’s funny: people may pause for a moment, but then they proceed to tell me their thoughts. If you listen prayerfully and carefully, you will know where to go from there. You have broken the ice.

One Year Bible Reading

Judges 21:1—Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25

May 6

Strong Confidence

     
In the fear of the L
ORD
there is strong confidence,

     
And His children will have a place of refuge.

In other words, those who have an awesome reverence for God the Father, Jehovah, are safe and secure and bold—not because they have confidence in themselves, but because they have an awe and an unshakable trust in the God who loves them.

Romans 8:15-17 reminds us, “You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”(
NKJV
).

Recently I watched a YouTube video with Michael W. Smith leading a huge crowd to sing “Our God Is an Awesome God.” Over and over again they sang the same stanza. As I watched the faces, each worshiper seemed to sink into some really deep place. Eyes were closed; hands were lifted. Strength and peace seemed to envelop everyone. Maybe you, too, need to reflect on these words and let them wash over your soul to give you confidence and hope.

     
Our God is an awesome God.

     
He reigns from heaven above

          
with wisdom, power, and love.

     
Our God is an awesome God.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Our proverb today speaks of strong confidence and a place of refuge. If you are battling fear right now, these words are just what you need. We often think we will never have peace and confidence unless our circumstances change and our problems are solved. But as it’s been said, peace is not an absence of problems; it’s the presence of God. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33,
AMP
). Those are pretty strong words, spoken by a very strong Savior. Will you trust him? Will you allow him to give you peace?

One Year Bible Reading

Ruth 2:1–4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27

May 7

Unload Your Guns

     
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

     
But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

Wrath is a flare-up. In the Old West they called this having a trigger finger. Shoot first; ask questions later. Ladies, this happens when you have a loaded gun. So let’s get to the bottom of the real issue: wrath inside you.

The real underlying cause, if we are really honest, is unresolved anger, unforgiving anger. If you have unresolved anger, it’s like the molten lava of an inactive volcano. You might think because it’s cooled down, it’s contained. But if you are quickly hurt or quickly annoyed or quickly offended or quickly angered, you might need to rethink the bottom line. Remember, she “who is slow to wrath has great understanding.” By understanding ourselves, we can take responsibility, and we can take it to the Cross. Unresolved anger may have started with the sin of someone else, but now it’s become sin in you. Once we are honest, we can be healed. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful . . . to forgive us . . . and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9,
NKJV
). And this, my friend, is unloading your guns.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

The definition of
wrath
is “violent rage, fury, any action carried out in great anger.” If you grew up in an angry home, you know exactly what that looks like. Worse yet, you know what that feels like. I am so sorry. As a little girl, you knew it was wrong. In the book of Leviticus, laws were given to govern God’s people. It was a legal system that had zero tolerance for cruelty. God hates the innocent to suffer. Sin is the source of all cruelty and suffering in the world. That’s why God hates sin: because he loves you. As you go to bed tonight, may the God of all comfort wash away the memories and heal the pain of your past.

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:50,
NIV
).

One Year Bible Reading

1 Samuel 1:1–2:21; John 5:1-23; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 14:28-29

May 8

Envy

     
A heart at peace gives life to the body,

          
but envy rots the bones.

Envy, that wicked scoundrel, envy. Envy shoots at others and wounds itself.

I really like what Henrietta Mears said: “The man [or woman] who keeps busy helping the one below him won’t have time to envy the one above him.”

Let me tell you a sad little story. Leonardo da Vinci was Italy’s most celebrated artist. He was asked to submit sketches for the decorations of the Great Hall of Florence. A then young and little-known artist, Michelangelo, was also asked to submit.

The sketches of Leonardo were superb, in keeping with his genius. But when the councillors saw the sketches of Michelangelo, there were expressions of wonder and enthusiasm. News of this reached Leonardo. He also heard that someone said, “Leonardo is getting old.” Sadly, Leonardo was never able to get over this. His remaining years of life were clouded with gloom and sorrow.

When I read this I wanted to say, “Noooooooooo!” But it’s true. Philippians 2:3-4 gives us the beautiful antidote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (
NIV
).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Columnist Charley Reese wrote, “If malice or envy were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang.” That’s a great visual. Now let’s plug in positive words: “If kindness or generosity were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang.” This version is equally true. The Bible teaches that you reap what you sow. So let’s not let the petty, small-hearted attitude of envy ever get the better of us. When it peeks its creepy green face in your thoughts, be proactive. The best weapon is to quickly speak kindly of the person you envy and quickly chose to lift your attitude to God. Refuse to entertain an envious thought, and the thought will lose its power.

Let’s Pray

O Lord, please catch me quickly when jealousy rises. Give me victory to resist and to conquer with good.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Samuel 2:22–4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 14:30-31