January 2, 2010 Sharing God’s Word

TODAY'S ENCOURAGING WORD

Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!

-- Psalm 99:3

FOOLISH CHARACTERISTICS

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

-- Proverbs 12:15

The book of Proverbs has much to say about those whom the writer calls fools. Actually, about ten different Hebrew words are used in Proverbs that translate as "fools," "foolishness," etc., and such words occur almost 100 times in that one book. Assuming the human writer was Solomon (the ultimate writer was, of course, the Holy Spirit), it is noteworthy that the reputedly wisest man of all time had more to say about fools than did anyone else. At the same time, he used the words "wise," "wisdom," etc., at least 125 times!

Our text uses both, contrasting the self-satisfied fool with the wise who listen to good advice. Such contrasts are abundant in Solomon’s proverbs, and we would do well to take them to heart. Note a few of these "pithy maxims," as men have called them.

"The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall" (Proverbs 10:8).

"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom" (Proverbs 10:23).

"A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident" (Proverbs 14:16).

"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise" (Proverbs 17:28).

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards" (Proverbs 29:11).

"The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools" (Proverbs 3:35).

There are many more, of course, but the wise reader will profit even from these. Indeed a wise person will "hearkeneth" unto good counsel and thus some day "inherit glory."

PRAYER; SHOW ME THE PATH TO HEALTH

Dear God,
I admit that I have come to both love
and hate the word "diet."
On the one hand, it represents hope for change.
On the other, it's like a sign flashing "Failure ahead!"
I don't want to embark on another faulty plan, Lord.
I want to embark on a journey with You
that is led by You and depends on Your power.
I can do nothing on my own!
Show me the path that will enable me to change.
Show me, as only You can,
what works for me, what is healthy for me.
I want to think of this venture in positive terms, Lord --
not that I am signing up to be miserable or in want.
I want to learn to feed my body what it truly needs when it truly needs it.
And to feed my soul with the Bread of Life -- You!
Today I place my future, my failures, my setbacks,
all of my hopes and plans into Your hands.
There alone will I find meaning
and true success in my life.
Amen.

Forward to your family and friends!

Want to be added to list or removed from list? Email sgw316@gmail.com and indicate to be added or removed.

God Bless You!