Category: Devotions

Walk though any shopping Mall today, and one is likely to see people lined up at the lottery booths to “take a chance” on the “millions” being offered to entice some “lucky” winner. Knowledge that the chance of winning the “big prize” is in the “millions to one” doesn’t deter people from buying into the millionaire dream. Gambling is an express train to ruin, but our governments care only for the revenue!

Here is another synonymous, better than, proverb. It is a reminder to us all of the imperative need to control our tempers. Our greatest fight, therefore, is in gaining victory over our spirits. What monuments are built to the Alexanders and Napoleons of this world? Who, but God, has ever built a monument to the one who has conquered himself or herself? Is not the heart the most difficult field of battle? “The glory of this victory is indeed far above the mighty. The taking of a city is child’s play, compared with this ‘wrestling against flesh and blood’” (Bridges). Only godly men and women are so tried. “Totally depraved spirits are never tempted.” For self-control, try these three vital steps.

1. The Right View: Modern versions (NKJV excepted), following the RV, reject the if in KJV, and read. “A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness” (NASV). The KJV is accused of “reading too much into the Hebrew.” We turn this around and claim that modern versions “read too much into the value of old age.” True, the if is only implied, but it does make a vital distinction, namely, that the hoary head apart from righteousness is not a crown of glory at all. Is not an old sinner an awful sight to behold? He who was once a red-cheeked choir-boy, is now a godless rebel, beyond redemption (Isa. 65:20b)! Without that walk of righteousness the crown falls from the hoary head in shame! “What is more lamentable.” asks Bridges, “than a graceless old man?” Let this be a warning to all. Yet IF that hoary head be found in the way of righteousness, it sparkles as a crown of glory, and the young may sit in awe at its feet.

What descriptive words are used here! Such men are said to be ungodly, evil; sons of Belial. They are forward, perverse. They are violent, fierce, cruel. You have met such, no doubt, for they are everywhere. They are the people who delight to snap the links of friendship and sow strife broadcast.

1. Preconceptions may be Misconceptions. Repetition is necessary because we are sinners. Vs.25 is exactly the same as 14:12, and similar to 16:2 and 21:2. Why? We do not think, as some suggest, that these are mistakes in copying by a scribe. May it not be because they are so important, and God is so merciful and longsuffering! Is not the love of sin so strong that all the warnings can go unheeded? It won’t happen to me! This verse reminds us again of the danger that preconceptions may turn out to be misconceptions.

This kind of eloquence is more than a “fluency of speech.” It doesn’t come from “kissing the Blarney Stone”, as the Irish jokingly affirm. It has a mysterious quality. It is a gift, not a human attainment. Wisdom and eloquence must be united to add learning to the lips and health to the bones. There is hardly an error or heresy that has not been made acceptable to many by a perverted eloquence.

The thread of “good words and the blessing they bring” runs through all these verses and gives them a “sweet” fragrance. Alexander Maclaren called these verses, “A Bundle of Proverbs.” Read them over a few times and note this sweet connection. “Religion without head is fire without wood.” We treat 21-22 today.

1. A Demonstrable Truth: Happy (How blest) is he who gives heed to instruction and to the Lord. The first part of the proverb states the Truth. He that handleth a matter wisely. The second part tells how it was done, by Trusting. Whoso trusteth in the Lord. How simply, yet clearly, are we shown the vital link between efficiency and faith! Proverbs give no encouragement to the lazy and careless in any endeavour. “He that believes God for the event, must believe Him for the means also.” If there is to be a sure harvest, you must make a sure sowing!

Nothing is more severely, and more frequently, treated in this Book, than Pride. “What more vivid exposition of these Proverbs is needed, than our own ruined condition” (Bridges). Was it because Solomon himself was so severely tempted to pride, as well he might be in view of all his accomplishments?

There are By-ways where all travel occasionally, but the Highway is the road on which a person is most commonly found. We all are travelers, pilgrims, on this Road, but in which direction are you moving, to Life or to Death?