The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (39 page)

May 25

Humility and Honor

     
The fear of the L
ORD
teaches a man wisdom,

          
and humility comes before honor.

The fear of the Lord is often mentioned in the Proverbs as the pathway to wisdom. So what do you think it means to “fear the Lord”? Many think it’s to be afraid of God. Some have a concept of God as the big traffic cop in the sky just waiting to catch us doing something wrong so he can punish us. But nothing could be further from the truth. God loves us. The reason that God hates sin and wants to keep us from it is that it’s bad. God knows that sin is not only bad but bad for us.

So then, a proper concept of “the fear of the Lord” is reverence and respect. It is a complete trust and confidence that God’s commandments and will for us are to set us free and to keep us safe and bless us. It is basically saying, “God, you are right in all your ways, and, therefore, it’s only right and good to completely submit to your loving authority in every facet of our lives.” When we choose to view every situation with that perspective, God will give us wisdom for the moment. Really, becoming a woman of wisdom is just the sum total of a thousand daily, wise choices.

“Humility comes before honor.” James 4:10 reminds us, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (
NKJV
). Now, that’s a great promise.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Are you in a low, humble situation? The story of David in First and Second Samuel is both moving and instructive. He had a call on his life to be the shepherd-king of God’s people. His training for that position included being unfairly treated, falsely accused, living in caves, and almost being killed. He had no one to trust or to guide him but God alone. Never underestimate how God can use your present circumstances to deepen you and prepare you for his noble purposes. Be faithful in the small things! Be a servant joyfully and willingly. And trust God with all your heart. Jesus said, “He [or she] who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11,
NIV
).

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 7:1–8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33

May 26

Divine Shift

     
Commit your works to the L
ORD
,

     
And your thoughts will be established.

Ladies, this proverb gives us a wonderful way to live in the midst of a complicated and troublesome world. Let’s dissect it for understanding.

First step: “Commit your works.” To
commit
means “to hand over, to trust.” Our works are our activities, our occupations, what we make, what we do, and even what we own. Can you see it? Sometimes we feel that the weight of the world is on our shoulders, and we are constantly in a precarious balancing act. We need to do what I call the “divine shift.” We need to roll it off our shoulders and roll it onto his powerful shoulders. This includes responsibility for our husband or lack of husband, our kids, our finances, our to-do lists, our work, our ministries, everything. We need a mental picture of placing everything entirely into his hands and sensing a great overwhelming load come off our hearts. Can you see that?

The second part of our proverb is a promise. “Commit your works to the L
ORD
, and your thoughts will be established.” When we feel our lives are safely in his hands, we have a freedom to live in the present with joy, with a new sense of purpose and destiny.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the L
ORD
, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (
NKJV
).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

The frequent habit of experiencing the “divine shift” can literally revolutionize your life. Instead of just talking about it, will you pause and actually do it with me right now? Hold out your hands in front of you, palms up, close to your left shoulder. Now visualize the fears, problems, people, and needs that are weighing on your heart and mind today. Pause long enough to realize that the weight of them has made you weary and heavy laden. Are you ready to truly give them to God? Okay then, on the count of three, forcefully sweep your hands in front and up to your right as if you were casting them on the shoulders of the Lord. With joy and determination say, “Divine shift.” Now take a deep breath, exhale, and let the peace that passes understanding wave over your heart and mind.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 9:1–11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3

May 27

The Problem of Pride

     
The L
ORD
despises pride;

          
be assured that the proud will be punished.

Pride. What is it, and why does the Lord hate it? Pride can be arrogant, overbearing, and haughty.

Of course there’s a pride that’s good. You should be proud of your children when they do a good job or are obedient or share their toys, but pride can be dangerous when we start living through our children, pushing them to be overachievers for our own self-esteem, or when we boast to others, making them feel that their kids aren’t as good as ours. The Lord hates that kind of pride.

The Lord hates pride that won’t admit a mistake. The Lord hates pride that won’t say we’re sorry when we’re wrong or when someone’s hurt. The Lord hates pride that puts others down, never lets anyone else win, is critical and judgmental.

The Lord hates pride when it builds walls in families, friendships, and churches. A wall of pride keeps us isolated and lonely. So, dear sisters, let’s let God melt our foolish, stubborn pride. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble” (
NIV
).

Vulnerability is merely letting our imperfection show. It is being real. It is what makes us human, authentic, and lovable.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

I think behind that wall of pride in some people is fear. We are afraid if people really knew how flawed we feel, they would run over us or lose all respect. Moms feel that way sometimes. They are afraid to tell their kids they made a mistake, so once they make a stand they won’t listen or back down or say, “I’m sorry.” Let me ask you a question. Are you in a standoff situation with your teenager, husband, or someone at work? Are you the one with the wall of pride, or is it the other person, or both? Here’s a news flash that might help. If you’re the first person to melt the ice, it won’t kill you. No, really; it won’t kill you. Make a peace offering. A latte and a muffin with a simple note can clear the air and let you both off the “pride hook.”

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5

May 28

Pleasing the Lord

     
When the L
ORD
takes pleasure in anyone’s way,

          
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

There are two important parts of this proverb. Part one is to live a life that pleases God. In the early eighties Pastor Chuck Smith’s wife, Kay, did an amazing Bible study series called “Pleasing the Heart of God.” For me as a young woman and wife and mother, it was life changing. I learned about sweet surrender. I learned about obedience and trust and walking in the light. Thank you, Kay Smith. You not only taught this lesson; you lived it.

And so since she is one of the best examples I know of the first part—living to please the Lord—does her life also fit the second model, regarding peace with enemies? Through the years they’ve had many friends, but some foes, too. Some have been unkind and unfair.

But in her later years as she spoke of the people in the church, her face lit up. She always shared the sweet memories. Occasionally she would smile and say, “Oh yes, there were a few stinkers, too, but God loves them and so do I.”

In a summary statement, are any and all past enemies now at peace with Kay Smith? I would say yes, because they got no traction. They did not have the ability to get her riled or bitter or mean. Her heart stayed at peace. She has been a living testimony that when a woman’s ways please the Lord, he makes even her enemies to be at peace with her.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Do you have an enemy? The Bible teaches us that a soft answer turns away wrath. It instructs us to bless those who curse us, to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. We know what to do, but in the heat of the moment, we fail. Are you feeling that your responses have not pleased the Lord? Condemnation is not the solution. Repentance and dependence are.

Let’s Pray

Lord, here I am again. You know my heart is not right regarding this enemy. Please forgive me when I am weak. I come to you for a fresh wind of strength from the Holy Spirit. Put a lock on my tongue and your agape love in my heart.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7