Proverbs 22:1 Better Than Riches

Proverbs 22: 1 (AMP)  A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

This suggests integrity, honest, humility, faithfulness, keeping promises, etc. This is a person that you can trust and have confidence in. The apostle Paul was so confident in his “good name” that he encouraged the Christians in Corinth to “PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (AMP)

Acts 16:1 (AMP) He [Timothy] had a good reputation among the brethren at Lystra and Iconium. 

Paul goes on to instruct Timothy that any person that is to be considered for leadership in the church must have a good name [reputation]. I am convinced that one of the greatest needs in the church today is authentic leadership of good report. 

1 Timothy 3:7 (AMP)Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap. 

Without doing damage to the context, this verse also suggests a good name with God. We are to “...rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20 b

Philippians 4: 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Heavenly Father I thank you for Your consistent refining of my character. I have not always had a good name due to my immaturity, bad choices, and at times my willful disobedience. You have convicted me of my sins, led me to repentance and given me the will and courage to change. You have helped me to face those that I have disappointed and to reestablish my integrity in their eyes. Thank you that I have received their forgiveness and Yours! I love YOU my Lord and Savior. Amen

Proverbs 21:3 Obedience vs. Sacrifice

Proverbs 21:3 (NASB) To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.

I can see the emotional battle raging in Abraham as he hears the Word of the Lord in Genesis 22. “"Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

To me Abraham exemplifies God’s admonition to do righteousness and justice, to walk in obedience and the fear of the Lord. He is a man with an intimate relationship with God that impacts every area of his life to include those he loves most! What courage, what faith that Abraham would offer the sacrifice that God had required.

As you continue to read the following scriptures you will see this recurring theme, obedience is better than sacrifice.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV)  So Samuel said: Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Isaiah 1:11-17 (NLT) 11 “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your  offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting—they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.16 Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Hosea 6:6 (AMP) For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings.

Micah 6:8 (NKJV) 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

There are many Christians in sacrificial service in churches across America, teaching Sunday school, serving as board members and others in higher levels of church leadership. These “servants” sacrifice their time, finances, at times relationships and even their health. But are they walking in obedience? Are they living righteous lives and pursuing justice as lovers of mercy, serving God with integrity and humility? Are you?

In conclusion we read the words of Jesus as he weighs in on this topic, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:13 (NASB)

With deepest sincerity I echo the prayer of the Palmist, “Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Proverbs 20:22 Good vs. Evil

Proverbs 20:22 (AMP) Do not say, I will repay evil; wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue you.

Proverbs 24:29 (NLT) And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”

When we are wronged, not only are we offended, at times we are also temped to retaliate. Strong emotions cry out for a strong response. This is only natural but not godly. As passionate followers of Jesus we are called to a higher past. We cannot be driven by our emotions and at the same time respond by the spirit. Out trust is in God, recognizing that He alone is our defense. We do not take matters into our own hands but “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

This is difficult In the face of injustice. The caution is these verses is not one of inaction. Godly wisdom demands that we choose to respond to evil in the opposite spirit. As you read the following verses notice the specific call to ACTION, 1) Resist vengeance 2) Trust God for justice 3) do good to the offending party 4) pray 5) have pity.

Romans 12:17, 19-20 (AMP) 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.; 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. 20  But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. 21  Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (AMP) See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

1 Peter 3:9 (AMP) Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

Only as we give ourselves fully to the Lord can we hope to walk above the pain, to resist our sinful urges, and respond in the Spirit. To this we have been called! 

Heavenly Father, you know the weakness of my human nature. You know that at times I am angry at those who have hurt me or members of my family. PLEASE help me to obey you commands. Help me so that I am not overcome by evil. Help me to overcome by doing good. In Jesus name, Amen.

Proverb 19:3 Angry With God

Proverbs 19:3 (AMP)  The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord.

Proverbs 19:3 (NLT) People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.

I am not sure who all will read this post. Depending on where the reader is spiritually, it could prove to be offensive. The Word of God is true and gives considerable insight into human behavior. I have met men and woman, angry with God as though he had sinned against them. 

They cannot accept the truth that their behavior has brought them down. I have talked with people that are angry with God at the have loss of marriages, employment, being estranged from their children and more.  In every instance, they are the causes of their own calamities. When I have tried to talk with them they become defensive, avoiding the truth, denying, minimizing and blame shifting. They see themselves as victims.

Who are these foolish people? “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” Jude 1:16 (NKJV)

Here is God’s response to those who are willful in their sin and blame God for their circumstances. Notice God’s heart toward them in verses 27-29.  This is a redemptive promise full of grace!

Ezekiel 18:23-29 (NKJV) 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord God, and not that he should turn from his ways and live? 24 But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. 25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not fair. Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, The way of the Lord is not fair. O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?

There are also people who would blame God for their moral failures, saying that they were set up, tempted by God himself. The apostle James addresses this accusation with absolute clarity. “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. “ James 1:13 (NASB)  

Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of your word. That if we turn from our sin you will forgive us and heal our broken lives. 

Proverbs 18: 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe

“The name of the Lord may be taken for the Lord himself; he is a strong tower, a refuge, and place of complete safety, to all that trust in him. What a strong fortress is to the besieged, the like is God to his persecuted, tempted, afflicted followers.” -- The Adam Clarke Commentary

Psalm 18:2 (AMP)  The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.

Psalm 91:4 (NLT) 9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

2 Samuel 22:1-3 (NKJV)  1 Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.2 And he said: The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

Psalm 61:1-4 (NLT) 1 O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

I think of the times in my walk with God, when I have been attacked and discouraged, times when I wondered if I would survive the pain of the trial. With breaking heart and countless tears I have called out to the LORD for strength, courage and the will to continue. I have personally experienced the truth and power of these verses! In my brokenness I found a refuge, a shelter, hope, compassion, understanding, I found my “strong tower.”

When you are facing your enemies of whatever sort they may be (rejection, fear, discouragement, unemployment, sickness, temptation, death) cry out to God. He will be your strength in times of weakness. He will give you courage in the face of fear. He will lift you up when your soul is pressed down. He will be your SAFE PLACE!


Heavenly Father, thank you for your promise to come to our aide. Thank you for the comfort you give in our times of sorrow. Thank you for your unending strength in our times of weakness. Thank you for the deep peace and joy that is ours in Your presence! I love you my dear and precious savior, my strong and mighty tower. Amen

Proverbs 17:9

Proverbs 17: 9 (AMP)   He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.

When I read this verse I think And Noah. Genesis 9:20-27 20 (AMP) Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard.21  And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and he was uncovered and lay naked in his tent.22  And Ham, the father of Canaan, glanced at and saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.23  So Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it upon the shoulders of both, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

What a striking example between his sons. Ham shows no compassion for his father but runs to expose his father’s nakedness to his brothers. How sad when “family” does not respond in love. This has happened to some of you. A moment of weakness, a poor decision, and you were left exposed. Instead of a loving response there was criticism, gossip, judgment, etc. What you needed was to be covered!

I love Matthew Henry’s commentary on verse Proverbs 17:9. “The way to preserve peace among relations and neighbors is to make the best of everything, not to tell others what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against ourselves, but to excuse both, and put the best construction upon them. "It was an oversight; therefore overlook it. It was done through forgetfulness; therefore forget it. It perhaps made nothing of you; do you make nothing of it. The ripping up of faults is the ripping out of love, and nothing tends more to the separating of friends, and setting them at variance, than the repeating of matters that have been in variance; for they commonly lose nothing in the repetition, but the things themselves are aggravated and the passions about them revived and exasperated. The best method of peace is by an amnesty or act of oblivion.”

-- Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible

1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)  Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

It is a wise and loving person who seeks to “forgive and cover” transgressions. It is a choice we make to resist our fallen nature and to follow God’s example. Psalm 32:1 (NASB) 1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!

As passionate followers of Jesus Christ endeavor “. . . to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.” Ephesians 4:1b-2 (AMP)

When we see a fellow Christian in spiritual trouble we do not idly stand by. With humility we reach out to them with God’s love, with a sincere desire to bring them to repentance.

James 5:19-20 (NASB) 19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Father God, how thankful I am that You have not dealt with me as my sins deserve. I am COVERED by Your love! Help me to model your compassion, to convince others of your kindness that they may be covered too. Amen.

Proverbs 16:3

Proverbs 16:3 (AMP)  Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

It is a wise man that remembers he is in a divine partnership. As noble and brilliant as our ideas may be, we must allow God to make the adjustments. No matter how earnest we are to see our plans fulfilled, God alone knows if they are for our good and His glory. 

Psalm 139:23-24 (AMP) 23  Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!24  And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

James 4:13-15 (Message) 13 And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today-at the latest, tomorrow-we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money."14 You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.15 Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."

If we will humbly commit the desires of our heart to God He will bring us into alignment with His Devine will and therefore we will have success.

Psalm 37:5 (AMP) Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Heavenly Father, you know that I can be impulsive. I get ideas that I believe are inspired and like a race horse in the starting gate I am anxious to break loose and run the track. Help me to more deliberate in committing my thoughts, hopes and dreams to You. Adjust my thinking in keeping with your will and purpose for my life. Amen