Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 12:11-15
Prov 12:11-15
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Luke 18:9-10, 13-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
There is nothing more foolish than to think that we have all the right answers on in life. There is always a truck on the road that is bigger than my car. But the train is larger than the truck. There is only one person who is the wealthiest person in the world, but that only lasts for a short while, and then someone else gets that honor. The most beautiful girl will age, her physical beauty will fade, and another will take her place. So it is when we think we are the most knowledgeable one.
When it comes to our knowledge of God, we are just a speck compared to his infinite knowledge. His foolishness is wiser than our greatest wisdom. Even the most righteous among us is evil, like filthy rags, compared to that of God.
To think that my understanding is the standard for anyone other than me is the epitome of foolishness! Our standing with God is not based on how well we understand his word or how well we summarize it into rules to be followed. It is based on our faith (genuine trust) in Jesus and on his grace. The wise person will listen to advice and the best advice we have, and need to follow is seen in Jesus himself. “The one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
God, be merciful to me the sinner! I have tried to live a good life and follow your will most of my entire life but what I have to offer you is pitiful and compared to Jesus, it is nothing, nothing at all! When I compare myself to others, I see some who are a lot worse than I have ever been, but I see some who I feel are better too. But I know it is a mistake to measure myself by anyone other than Jesus, and I fall far short of his perfection. Thank you for your great love, your tender mercy, your compassion, and your grace which gives me forgiveness. In Jesus name.
Robert
