Wise Words for Wise Decisions
The purpose of Proverbs is to teach
people how to apply wisdom to daily
life & to provide moral instruction.
The varied statements of common
sense in today’s reading are
descriptions of the perils facing
both the wise and the unwise;
as well as value judgments upon
things which appear to be good
and things which are good.
Through it all, Solomon sees God
at work in the hearts and affairs
of people, helping them to avoid
flattery and falsehood and to
display obedient behavior instead.
Dear Lord, thank You for Prov 18-21
that help us Make Wise Decisions
in life and be obedient to You.
Help us Encourage Others by giving
the right words to Edify the listener.
Help us to Overlook Wrongs,
forgive others & resolve conflicts
with grace and measured words.
Help us Do What’s Just and Right
so that in our decisions we please
You and reflect Your character.
For we are Yours forever! Amen.
Lord, we will Edify & Encourage:
What a shame, what folly, to give
advice before listening to the facts!
Words satisfy the soul as food
satisfies the stomach; the right
words on a person’s lips bring
satisfaction. Those who love to talk
will experience the consequences,
for the tongue can kill or nourish
life (Proverbs 18:13 & 20-21).
Lord, keep me from jumping into
conclusions & be involved in folly.
Give me the right words to speak,
words that will satisfy the soul.
Let my words encourage and not
discourage those who hear them.
Help my tongue to nourish life and
not to kill it. Help me to encourage
others to be encouragers. Amen.
Lord, help us Overlook Wrongs:
People with good sense restrain
their anger; they earn esteem by
overlooking wrongs…Cease listening
to instruction, and you will stray
from knowledge (Prov 19:11, 27).
Lord, help me to forgive others
in light of the unconditional love
I have found in You. When others
wrong me, help me remember
the times you reached down and
covered my wrongs with Your mercy.
Help me see past my anger and
resolve disagreement with grace.
Help me to measure my words and
actions before I speak or act. Amen.
Lord, help us Do What’s Right:
Every way of a man is right
in his own eyes; but the Lord
weighs the hearts … The Lord
is more pleased when we do
what is just and right than when
we give sacrifice (Psalm 21:2-3).
Lord, in all the decisions and
choices that I face each day,
help me to walk in obedience
to You and thus walk in integrity.
Empower me by Your Spirit to
do what is just and right so that
I am living a life that pleases You
and reflects Your character. Amen.