Category: Devotions

Marston wrote, “He’s a king, a true, right king, that dare do aught save wrong.” He is a type of The King that shall yet reign is righteousness.

There’s an old saying, “Promises may get friends, but only performances can keep them.” Promises should be given with caution, and kept with care.

Cowper makes the interesting distinction that knowledge is gained from the thoughts of other men, but wisdom is based on one’s own thoughts! Two interpretations are suggested for this Proverb. Counsel, is deep water, but understanding will draw it out. One view is that it refers to an inner source of wisdom in man that can be drawn out by another who has understanding. The second view is that it refers to a wise counsellor who is able to reveal the deepest intentions, good or evil, in human nature.

Here is a parable as well as a proverb. Solomon frequently reminds us of the sluggard and his tragic end. This is the evil of sacrificing duty for convenience. We are made for eternity, and all are inescapably moving to our destiny. The plowing of today is followed by the harvest of tomorrow. If we fail in the plowing, we will fail in the reaping.

Today, we consider how to deal with anger and fruitless arguments. It is a familiar theme, but its repetition is valid as well as vital. Ardent spirits are apt to be evil spirits. When you know where they are found, keep clear of their groundi

An old 17th century Divine said, “Drunkenness gives the throat of a fish, and the belly of a swine and the heart of an ass.” Why is there not the same parliamentary outcry against the abuse of alcohol as there is against smoking?

Here, we are again confronted with ungodly witnesses, referred to as witnesses of Belial. Belial means worthlessness, destructiveness (Deut. 13:13). In the New Testament it became a name for the Devil (2 Cor. 6:15), who is the father of all such “evil qualities”! Thus today’s title is not so harsh, as it may appear.

This reminds us of the words of our Lord. Beware of false prophets, and, Take heed what ye hear (Mk. 4:24). How much this warning is needed in our own day! False teaching goes largely unchallenged, especially if it comes from “highly reputed” Bible teachers from prestigious churches or colleges!

Solomon often touches on family life, and on the virtues or vices of the home. The strength or weakness of a nation is in its homes. We hear much today about “abused children,” and that is a tragedy indeed! We seldom hear of “abused parents,” however. Yet how many such there must be who are left in the wreckage of disobedient, rebellious children! A disobedient child:

Wrong must be rebuked. Are we not all capable of wrongdoing? If anyone should think that he is perfect, it means that he does not know himself or the extent of his fallen nature. Today’s wise men debate the morality of punishment, but God’s Word is our guide as to what is or is not moral. True, great care is needed as to how we handle this matter, because punishment usually bears upon it the image of sin! Consider the three persons contrasted in this Proverb and the results.