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Pathways Through Proverbs
Daily Devotional
October 25, 2008
Today's Reading - Proverbs 25
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Following Scripture Verses
Proverbs Chapter 25
- These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
- It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
- The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
- Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
- Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
- Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
- For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
- Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
- Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
- Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
- A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
- As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
- As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
- Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
- By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
- Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
- Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
- A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
- Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
- As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
- If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
- For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
- The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
- It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
- As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
- A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
- It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
- He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
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Today's Pathway:
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Today's text is exceedingly practical; so much so that some may tend to view it as not having any real spiritual importance. However, we know that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," (II Tim. 3:16). Thus, this proverb is every bit as important as any other one.
The principle given is simply this: when you go to visit your neighbor, don't stay there too long. The Bible doesn't say exactly when to withdraw, but It does indicate that there comes a point where your presence becomes offensive, and will ultimately harm your relationship.
Let's make a spiritual application. If I have a friend that I want to win to the Lord, and I go over to his home and wind up annoying him by staying too long, he won't want to listen to what I have to say in the future. Perhaps the reason I am staying is because I am witnessing to him, which is a good reason. However, if once I leave he is so weary of my presence that he doesn't want to have any more conversations with me about anything, let alone salvation, then what good have I accomplished?
The Bible tells us to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves", (Matt. 10:16). We not only need to be sensitive to the desires of our neighbor, but we also need to look to the Holy Spirit for leadership. He will let us know when the time is right to stop for the evening and wait for another opportunity. He will also let us know if we should continue our witness in spite of the time. If we listen to Him, we will know what we should do, and when we should do it, and we will find our outreach to be much more effective.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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