August 18, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 18
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy 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 accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
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 belly.
9. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
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 belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." - Proverbs 18:10

In today's verse Solomon reminds his son where true security is found. It is not found in wealth or fame, nor is it found in a man's talents or abilities. The only real place of safety is the name of the Lord.

The expression "name of the Lord" does not simply refer to His name Itself, but it includes all that God is: His attributes, His character, and His very Being. God is a strong tower. He is capable of providing for my every need and He can keep me and protect me regardless of what situations may come up in my life. He can safeguard me against my enemies. He can help me to overcome temptations. He can lift me up above the tempest and give me the security and direction that I need to follow Him. He is impregnable, and He is all that I need.

In the second half of the verse Solomon points out that the safety of the Lord is not available to everyone. Only the righteous run into Him. There may be two different ideas here. First of all, only a righteous man would really think of running to the Lord. The wicked and self-centered try to solve their problems on their own, and only seek the Lord as a last resort when all else has failed. In addition, an unrighteous man has no right to run to the Lord for protection. When a man has rejected God's principles and gone his own way he surrenders any privilege of protection that he might have had. Proverbs 1:26 points out that God will laugh at the calamity of the man who has rejected His reproof. Thus, the rebel may find the door to God's tower locked until he comes to repentance.

No matter what we may have in this life, we must always remember that it is the name of the Lord that protects us. May we live righteously so that we can run to Him whenever we need to.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery