Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 18:1-5
Prov 18:1-5
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. 2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
2 Tim 4:9-12
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
A wise person will listen to others, but a fool will demand his own way. Paul knew this and surrounded himself with good people. When he was alone, he asked for others to come to be him. Jesus sent his disciples out to preach in two’s and not alone. While Jesus knew the value of getting by himself to pray and rest, he most often was with others, especially, Peter, James, and John. We need people.
But not just people for the sake of people. We need good people who will listen to us and who will offer good advice. But advice is of no value unless we listen to it and seriously consider what is said. This means that we need good people around us who have wisdom and who understand the word of God. “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
Maybe this is why God designed the Christian body (his church, his people) as a social group who meet together regularly. In the very early days, they met on a daily basis to teach and encourage each other. Later, after they were scattered from Jerusalem, it seems they met at least weekly. While our meeting together is to praise and worship God, one of the main reasons we are given for our meeting is so that we can encourage each other. It should not be a chore for us to meet with other disciples of Christ because it is for our mutual benefit as we serve God.
O Lord God, what a blessing it is to know that you are my father and that you know who I am! You know my problems and all that I face in my life, and you care. Thank you for loving me and for wanting what is best for me. Help me keep my eyes focused on you, on Jesus, and on the things that are above so my life will be guided by Jesus. Thank you for all the good people you have put in my life and who have helped me in so many ways. Use me to help others. Lord, I have close friends who are facing serious health issues, and I ask you to be with them and heal them if it is your will. Give them your peace. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Robert
