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Christian Devotional – October 5, 2019
The higher they are, the harder they fall. Remember that saying? I heard my mother and others use that phrase to keep help keep us grounded. Read Obadiah 1:4. “Though you build high like the eagle, Though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord . Obadiah 1:4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/oba.1.4.NASB Obadiah has just finished telling the people of Edom that they can’t trust in the heights that they have built into the rocks. Now he is letting them know that God is going to bring them down from the high and lofty places they have built. God has a way of…
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Christian Devotional – October 4, 2019
Lofty places. The Edomites lived south and west of Israel in the area where present day Jordan is. This area is full of rocky terrain and if you go there today, you will see caves dwellings and houses carved into the rock, like Petra. Read Obadiah 1:3. “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, You who live in the clefts of the rock, In the loftiness of your dwelling place, Who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?’ Obadiah 1:3 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/oba.1.3.NASB God gives Obadiah an analogy. The people of Edom were so arrogant and so high on themselves that God lilens it to their…
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Christian Devotional – October 3, 2019
Make you small. Such an interesting phrase to describe how God is going to judge the people of Edom. Read Obadiah 1:2. “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You are greatly despised. Obadiah 1:2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/oba.1.2.NASB The first thing that God tells Obadiah is that he is going to make the nation of Edom small. They are thought of so badly by the nations around them, that he is going to make them look like what other people perceive them to be. When we face the judgment of God, often he starts why allowing us to see ourselves the way he sees us. God knew that the…
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Christian Devotional – October 2, 2019
Judgment. After finishing our 31 days through the book of Proverbs looking at wisdom from the Lord, we’re going to fast forward in Israel’s history a bit to the place where Obadiah explains the judgment of the Lord that is coming upon the country of Edom. Read Obadiah 1:1. The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom- We have heard a report from the Lord , And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, “Arise and let us go against her for battle”- Obadiah 1:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/oba.1.1.NASB We don’t know much about Obadiah, other than that he was a prophet. What we do see here…
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Christian Devotional – October 1, 2019
The perfect woman. How would you describe the perfect woman? It’s interesting that God uses this opportunity here in the last chapter of Proverbs to describe the ideal wife. Read Proverbs 31. The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert…
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Christian Devotional – September 30, 2019
Another perspective. We have heard wisdom from Solomon, who was the wisest man ever to walk the earth, since he was given the wisdom of God. Yet this chapter is written by another man. Read Proverbs 30. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man. Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in…
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Christian Devotional – September 29, 2019
How do we respond to the world around us? What is our attitude toward the world? These are issues tackled in Proverbs 29. General Advice – Proverbs 29:1-27 A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan. A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth. The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it. A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps. By transgression an…
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Christian Devotional – September 28, 2019
Money and possessions. It matters how we respond to money and possessions. Will we use wisdom in dealing with both the those areas? Read Proverbs 28. Wisdom and Money – Proverbs 28:1-11 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those…
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Christian Devotional – September 27, 2019
Advice. We receive advice from all different types of people about all different types of things. Here, Solomon gives several pieces of general, practical advice. Read Proverbs 27. Advice – Proverbs 27:1-27 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the…
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Christian Devotional – September 26, 2019
The foolish, the lazy, the deceiver and the contentious. None of these have the characteristics or attributes that Christ is looking for, but all of these are very common in our world. Read Proverbs 26. The Foolish – Proverbs 26:1-12 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight. A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be…