Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 268 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 25:1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that hears it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that sings songs to an heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23 The north wind drives away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Do you have sayings that bolster your confidence when tough times come your way? Many people like to quote their favorite sayings and find them appropriate for the situation they find themselves in. Hezekiah was a king in Judah. He was faithful to God and kept the people from turning from God in times of trouble when their enemies came against them. His men chose some of Solomon’s proverbs to help them and give them strength in troubled times. Each of the proverbs they copied down brought strength and encouragement, it built up their confidence so they could do the work assigned to them. As Christians, you need to build up your faith. You do that by spending time studying God’s Word. Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (KJV) God’s Word edifies. God’s Word teaches and instructs. God’s Word brings us together so we can edify others and show the love of God to a lost and dying world. By copying out several of Solomon’s proverbs, Hezekiah’s men showed the people how God would care for them, and how much he loved them. Studying God’s Word makes you approved to God and does not bring shame. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Write down your favorite scriptures. Put them where you can see them. Rehearse them often, just as Hezekiah’s men did, and you will find your faith built up, and you will be able to defeat your enemy, Satan. He will not defeat you. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for your Word, which edifies and builds me up so I can use it to withstand all of Satan’s fiery darts aimed to destroy my faith. Help me to use your Word in the same way Hezekiah’s men did – to defeat their enemy. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 4 June 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay