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Proverbs Devotional 4.4.20

By April 4, 2020Daily Devotional

I. Prayer to enter the Lord’s presence:

Be still for a moment. “Lord, I give the day that is now past to you.  It is yours.  I give the day that is to come to you; help me to see where you are working and to join you there.  Speak to me during these moments.  I commit them and myself to you.”

 II. Prayer of Confession:

“Lord, you are faithful to forgive me and cleanse me of my sin when I confess it to you.  I confess my sin(s) of ______________.  Thank you for forgiveness.” (1 John 1:9)

III. Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Choose to be thankful, speak out loud of what God has done.
“Thank you, Father, for _________________.  Fill my heart and my mouth with gratitude throughout this day.”

IV. Scripture Reflection

Read: Proverbs Chapter 4

Reflect:

Proverbs 4:6

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

Forsake. The word was widely used before the turn of the 20th century but it’s hardly used today. It means to “renounce” or “give up something of value.” Its synonyms are “desert,” “abandon,” “relinquish,” or “renounce.” Today we might think of someone turning and walking away from something of value. 

Sadly, this idea of forsaking is more common than we think today. For example, countless children now live with the consequences of abandonment. There is tremendous damage done when this happens. Maybe you’re one of these children and you know first-hand what happens when someone decides to forsake something. I think it can be easy to detach from the word “forsake.” So, let’s make it a little more personal. 

Imagine someone who loves you with all of their being. They would give their very life for you. This person is willing to act in your best interest, especially in meeting your greatest need, even though it may cost them everything. This person is so devoted to you. They will never leave you or forsake you. 

Now, imagine this person standing in front of you, looking you in the eyes, their love for you so evident. Then you slowly turn and walk away, abandoning them. You kick the dust off of your feet and move on. You think, “I don’t need anyone. I’ve got myself.” 

Let me tell you, that’s a mistake! Many people do this very thing when presented with the Gospel. When we forsake biblical wisdom, in essence what we’re doing is forsaking the Gospel. To reject wisdom is to reject the Lord. 

 Respond:

Don’t abandon wisdom. Be resolute daily in your pursuit of Christ.

V. Prayer for others:

Pray specifically for the concerns of your life and the lives of others. 

VI. Prayer of commitment:

Lord God, I commit to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself.  Empower me today to love you and others with everything that I am.”  (Luke 10:27)

This Week’s Scripture Memory:
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

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