Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 12:21-28
Prov 12:21-28
No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway, there is no death.
Matt 6:1
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“A prudent man conceals knowledge.” As a child I heard my dad tell a young man who was very smart that he should not always answer the teacher’s question, just because he always knew the answer. He needed to let others have a chance to give an answer, plus, he would make other kids not like him because they would think he was doing this just to show how smart he was – and he was smart.
“The heart of a fool proclaims folly.” I also heard an older man repeat the saying that “it is better to keep one’s mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” There are some people who just don’t know what they are talking about but insist on giving their opinions on most matters. It is this kind of a person that is described as a fool in the book of Proverbs.
We may all be guilty of both of these at times. Wisdom teaches us to know when to remain silent and it also teaches us to know when to give an answer. Jesus was a master at demonstrating this wisdom, even when he was confronted by the religious leaders of his day, who were at times both demanding and hostile. No matter what the circumstances, it is better to err on the side of silence. Peter was the opposite of Jesus, so when he didn’t know what to say, he did it anyway and stuck his proverbial foot in his mouth. We need to learn to carefully weigh our words and the consequences of them before we speak.
My Father who is in heaven, give me patience to learn to listen and think before I speak. Help me only say those things that will give grace and build up and not tear down others. Help me to always be ready to give an answer for the hope within me but also to know how to give that answer in love and with a humble heart. Use me to serve others in a way that will honor you and give glory to your name. Be with our nation and give us leaders who honor you. In Jesus name I pray.
Robert
