Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 3:28-35
Prov 3:28-35
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
James 4:5-8
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jesus went about doing good. His heart was set on doing the will of the Father, and he did it in every way. It seems that Jesus was always being confronted by the religious leaders of his day, but it was their fault and not his. He just taught the truth in a loving way, but they refused to listen or accept the evidence that he had been sent from God. He did not let this deter him from doing good.
There are some who are religious leaders today who are contentious and self-righteous and seem to think that this proves that they are being like Jesus. The truth is that they are being like the religious leaders that opposed Jesus. Being contentious and argumentative is not a sign or trait of godliness, it is a part of the wisdom of this world and is earthly and demonic. We are to seek peace.
While we must never compromise truth, we can let go of our feelings and always realize that we may be the one that is wrong. We accept God’s grace and allow God to extend it to others, who like us, do not deserve it (at least in our minds). James said: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
O Lord God, keep me from thinking too highly of myself but to always consider others better than me, and to put their interests ahead of my own. I want to know your truth perfectly and to know the perfect application in every circumstance, but I realize that I fail in this. As I study, Give me wisdom to understand your word and motivation and strength to do it. Give me patience with myself and with others around me. Be with our government leaders and help me show them respect, even when I disagree with their actions. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
