The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (62 page)

August 22

Wicked Sacrifice

     
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—

          
how much more so when brought with evil intent!

The term
wicked
refers to those in rebellion against God. The Hebrew word for “wicked” is
rasha’
, which means “morally wrong; actively doing wrong.”

In 1 Samuel 15:22-23 God had given King Saul clear instructions about something he needed to do, but he only half did it. Then he thought he could make up for it by offering a sacrifice. The prophet Samuel came to him and said, “Has the L
ORD
as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the L
ORD
? . . . To obey is better than sacrifice. . . . For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (
NKJV
).

So in your life is there something that you know God has asked you to do—maybe to give up a friendship you know is not healthy? “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Are you holding a grudge against your sister or against someone at work or at church? You know you should forgive: “to obey is better than sacrifice.” Is there a sin that you’re hiding, something you know is wrong, and the Holy Spirit is convicting you? Sometimes we try to compensate by doing or giving more to the church, thinking surely it will balance out. But “to obey is better than sacrifice.”

Our proverb today says God hates the kind of sacrifice given with an unrepentant heart. But listen very carefully. It does not say he hates
you
. God loves you. The sacrifices God does love are “a broken spirit . . . and a contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17,
NKJV
). Primarily God doesn’t want or need your money or your resources. What God really wants is you.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

When God speaks to your heart and calls you to repentance, there is no time like the present. Don’t cover up or run away or try to bribe God to salve your guilty conscience. You aren’t kidding anyone. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. . . . So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:34, 36). Won’t you pause and take a moment with the Lord, asking him to forgive you and cleanse your soul? He can and he will.

One Year Bible Reading

Job 4:1–7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27

August 23

A False Witness

     
A false witness will perish,

          
and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.

Sometimes we think it’s only the gossip, the mudslinger, who is the big sinner. We think we can listen and not get mud on our faces, but our proverb today tells us this is just not so.

Have you ever heard the expression “consider the source”? Some people are always reporting on everything, putting a warped twist on things. Consider the source. I knew such a person. Each time she spoke something bad about someone, there was a hard little edge to her face, even when she covered it up with an appearance of godly concern. Eventually such people get a reputation, and all the bad things they have said about others seem to describe them. It’s like the children’s rhyme, “Bounce like rubber, stick like glue, bounce off them and stick on you.”

On the other hand, there are some people you can trust completely. They have no interest in tearing others down. I have a wise, gracious friend, Linda. Consistently when she hears a critical comment about someone, she tactfully but firmly turns it around to say something positive. When she speaks, you can trust that “on her tongue is the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26,
NKJV
). Good job, Linda! May we be known as women who are sweet with our words and gentle to others.

Philippians 2:14-15 gives us a excellent guide: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (
NIV
).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Another application of the term
false witness
is one who slanders the goodness and wisdom of God. Beware of those who put a false spin on the truth. This is exactly what Satan did in the Garden of Eden. Satan told and sold the lie. But Eve bought it. He slandered God by insinuating that God doesn’t know or want what is best for us. Millions of women through the ages have taken that same bait. Remember, “whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.” Be wise. The antidote of course is the Word of God. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

One Year Bible Reading

Job 8:1–11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29

August 24

Victory

     
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

          
that can succeed against the L
ORD
.

     
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

          
but victory rests with the L
ORD
.

One of the interesting and yet wonderful things we learn from reading the Bible cover to cover is that life is full of humanly impossible, insurmountable situations. Even for God’s people, life is sometimes very complicated. Over and over again God’s people were outnumbered in battle. They were out of food and money. They faced dilemmas with no answers, and then they turned to God with empty hands and expectant hearts.

Over and over again we read of God giving them unusual answers and solutions. In all their circumstances (just like us) they had choices. Should they trust their natural instincts, or should they trust the Lord? Some, like King Saul, repeatedly refused to leave the final decisions in God’s hands. Stubbornly, they used their own carnal weapons and natural wisdom. Short term, it looked good. Long term, it was a disaster. But others, like David facing Goliath, Joshua crossing the Jordon, Peter leaving his fishing business to follow Jesus, or Daniel refusing to eat the king’s delicacies, saw that God’s ways are much higher than our ways.

As Oswald Chambers said, “The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect but obedience.”

“Trust in the L
ORD
with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5,
NIV
), because ultimately “victory rests with the L
ORD
.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Do you feel overwhelmed, outnumbered, and defeated by the problems of life? In times like this we sometimes think the Lord has deserted us. But be aware: he has never been closer. Troubles can press us into the promises of God, because it is then that we need them so desperately. Our problems may be bigger than we are, but they are never bigger than God. Remember, true victory is internal, not just external.

“Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

One Year Bible Reading

Job 12:1–15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31

August 25

A Good Name

     
A good name is more desirable than great riches;

          
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Immanuel Kant once said, “It is not necessary that whilst I live I live happily; but it is necessary that so long as I live I should live honorably.” Is this true, or is this some old-fashioned view of values? Many would rather have a shiny, new car than an untarnished reputation.

So what are some examples of treasured names?

• John, the apostle, was called “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”
  
• David was called “a man after God’s own heart.”
  
• Abraham was called “the friend of God.”
  
• And Abraham Lincoln was called “Honest Abe.”
  

Just think of the many people through the ages who, at the very mention of their name, make you think of the good that they stood for or fought for: Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, Corrie ten Boom, Elisabeth Elliot, Pastor Chuck Smith, and Billy Graham. But there are so, so many others whose names are not famous, but in their little sphere of influence they have a good name, a great reputation. They have a name for being a prayer warrior, or they have a name for being a faithful friend to the lonely, or a name for being true to their word. And so now, dear sisters, what is the name others would choose for you? What would you like it to be?

“A good name is more desirable than great riches.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

What is your reputation? Are you known as a good listener, a friend to the underdog, compassionate and tenderhearted, faithful and diligent, a ray of God’s sunshine, lover of the Word, someone with a heart for the lost? I don’t know about you, but oh, how I would love to be each of these to at least somebody every day. One of the great secrets of leaving behind us a trail of kindness and goodness is having a deep desire to please the Lord. David said, “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart” (Psalm 40:8).

Let’s Pray

O Lord, sometimes I live carelessly, not thinking how my words or attitudes affect others around me. Today, please make my life count for good.

One Year Bible Reading

Job 16:1–19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1