Proverbs Devotional 10.18.20

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 18

Reflect:

For October, I’d like you to simply read slowly through the entire proverb each day. Think about the verses that have stood out to you over this year, the things God has spoken to you about, and the wisdom that was revealed to you. Use this time as a summary review of our time together over the last nine months.

As you read the Proverbs, you’ll notice that they are comprised of different translations. My hope is that doing this will help you to read Proverbs afresh. Following the reading is a short prayer that sums up the proverb. God Bless!

Proverbs 18 (Modern English Version)
He who sep­a­rates him­self seeks his own de­sire;
he seeks and quar­rels against all wis­dom.

² A fool has no de­light in un­der­stand­ing,
but in ex­press­ing his own heart.

³ When the wicked comes, then comes also con­tempt,
and with dis­honor re­proach.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are as deep wa­ters,
and the well­spring of wis­dom as a flow­ing brook.

⁵ It is not good to favor the wicked,
or to turn aside the right­eous in judg­ment.

⁶ A fool’s lips enter into con­tention,
and his mouth calls for flog­ging.

⁷ A fool’s mouth is his de­struc­tion,
and his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸ The words of a tale­bearer are as wounds,
and they go down into the in­ner­most parts of the body.

⁹ He also who is sloth­ful in his work
is brother to him who is a great waster.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the right­eous run into it and are safe.

¹¹ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and as a high wall in his own con­ceit.

¹² Be­fore de­struc­tion the heart of man is haughty,
and be­fore honor is hu­mil­ity.

¹³ He who an­swers a mat­ter be­fore he hears it,
it is folly and shame to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sus­tain his in­fir­mity,
but a wounded spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ The heart of the pru­dent gets knowl­edge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowl­edge.

¹⁶ A man’s gift makes room for him,
and brings him be­fore great men.

¹⁷ He who is first in his own cause seems just,
but his neigh­bor comes and searches him.

¹⁸ The lot causes con­tentions to cease,
and keeps the mighty ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother of­fended is harder to be won than a strong city,
and their con­tentions are like the bars of a cas­tle.

²⁰ A man’s stom­ach will be sat­is­fied with the fruit of his mouth;
and with the in­crease of his lips will he be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Who­ever finds a wife finds a good thing,
and ob­tains favor of the Lord.

²³ The poor man uses en­treaties,
but the rich man an­swers roughly.

²⁴ A man who has friends must show him­self friendly,
and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Respond:

Father, thank You for a community of like-minded people to walk alongside. Help me today not to isolate myself. I understand how important it is to have other believers in my life. Help me to keep my mouth pure; protect me from being the gossip. I know that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Teach me to guard my lips. May I always run to You, for You are a strong tower of protection for me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 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 30:5