Proverbs – Life SkillsWisdom, “skills for living”, as we have learned comes in all forms and is for all seasons of life. Today’s proverb is a mixed bag but the key is to avoid fools, those who will bring you down in spirit and take you down foolish roads causing your heart to be led to jealousy, pride, hate, and other characteristics that latch on to our hearts like barnacles on a ship. Barnacles impede the function of a ship just as sin impedes the function of our hearts.
Avoid evil and evil’s schemes for that is wisdom. Stay ready and prepared for whatever tomorrow brings without really knowing tomorrow. Knowing God, managing well what He as give to us and always being ready to move with God is wisdom.
Evil causes more work with a heavier burden says wisdom. Evil also causes health risk. We live longer, healthier lives when we are at peace with God, doing what please Him and not worrying about tomorrow when we know what God wants is for our best. Jesus took Solomon’s wisdom words farther when he preached,
“‘No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
When we think we know, we don’t. Jesus words always explain and give life to our current circumstances. Don’t follow fools. Imitate Christ.
Proverb 27, The MessageYou Don’t Know Tomorrow
Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow;
you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.
2 Don’t call attention to yourself;
let others do that for you.
3 Carrying a log across your shoulders
while you’re hefting a boulder with your arms
Is nothing compared to the burden
of putting up with a fool.
4 We’re blasted by anger and swamped by rage,
but who can survive jealousy?
5 A spoken reprimand is better than approval that’s never expressed.
6 The wounds from a lover are worth it;
kisses from an enemy do you in.
7 When you’ve stuffed yourself, you refuse dessert;
when you’re starved, you could eat a horse.
8 People who won’t settle down, wandering hither and yon,
are like restless birds, flitting to and fro.
9 Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight,
a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
10 Don’t leave your friends or your parents’ friends
and run home to your family when things get rough;
Better a nearby friend
than a distant family.
11 Become wise, dear child, and make me happy;
then nothing the world throws my way will upset me.
12 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
13 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger;
be wary of accepting what a transient has pawned.
14 If you wake your friend in the early morning
by shouting “Rise and shine!”
It will sound to him
more like a curse than a blessing.
15-16 A nagging spouse is like
the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet;
You can’t turn it off,
and you can’t get away from it.
Your Face Mirrors Your Heart17 You use steel to sharpen steel,
and one friend sharpens another.
18 If you care for your orchard, you’ll enjoy its fruit;
if you honor your boss, you’ll be honored.
19 Just as water mirrors your face,
so your face mirrors your heart.
20 Hell has a voracious appetite,
and lust just never quits.
21 The purity of silver and gold is tested
by putting them in the fire;
The purity of human hearts is tested
by giving them a little fame.
22 Pound on a fool all you like—you can’t pound out foolishness.
23-27 Know your sheep by name;
carefully attend to your flocks;
(Don’t take them for granted;
possessions don’t last forever, you know.)
And then, when the crops are in
and the harvest is stored in the barns,
You can knit sweaters from lambs’ wool,
and sell your goats for a profit;
There will be plenty of milk and meat
to last your family through the winter.
Dear Heavenly Father,You give life, wisdom, internal joy that is inexplicable along with peace. When we are overwhelmed, you bring calm right in the middle of the storm. When we are perplexed, you give perspective. When we feel unloved, you show us your love that is unrelenting and pure in ways that are unexpected but just at the right time and place. When we do foolish things you forgive us and forget the deed altogether. O Lord, what a Savior you are. Continue to transform me to be all you intended for me to be. Then show me your purpose for this season of life. May worries be lifted, replaced by knowledge of your care.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 