DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 23 March 2023
TOPIC: Priceless Nuggets
Text: Proverbs 18:13-24 (KJV)
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.
KEY VERSE
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
(Proverbs 18:21)
DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 23 March 2023 MESSAGE
Earnest students of the Old Testament book of Proverbs have not failed to observe the picturesque language that comes with its presentations of counsel drawn from inspiration. Yet there is a more striking element: its transcendent wisdom. A large body of the sayings, credited to King Solomon the son of David, dishes out the foremost teaching that the “Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”.
In the excerpts under review, there is a delightsome bouquet of these gems of wisdom. There are issues of adjudication which demands that we must not decide on a dispute before knowing the facts. We also learn that we must not allow depression in our spirit, as this can result in complete disorientation. The son of David advises us to ensure we do not lose fellowship with the brethren as it would be hard to regain them.
In addition, we have a word on death and life. According to Solomon, “death and life are in the power of the tongue”. Therefore, we are admonished to ask for God’s power to tame the tongue and prevent it from utterances that spark wars, contention and blasphemy. There is revelation about God’s mind on marriage. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD”.
A world alienated from the knowledge of heaven and increasingly tethered to its dysfunctional philosophy and science cannot but be victim of deceptive doctrines devoid of joy and satisfaction. The void can be filled if man goes back to the recipe proffered by Solomon: “Wisdom (given by God) is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…” (Proverbs 4:7).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: True wisdom is found in the knowledge and fear of God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 7-9
