The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (75 page)

October 11

The Right Seat

     
Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

          
and do not claim a place among great men;

     
it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

          
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12,
NKJV
).

I have to tell you a little story. A few years ago I invited my sister to go to a Harvest Crusade. We arrived a little late. The ushers kept directing us higher and higher in the stadium until finally I could see that we would be sitting as high and far as you could get from the platform and the speakers. My heart sank. In a very pathetic silent voice I said,
But, Lord, I have hoped and waited many years for my sister to say yes and come to something like this. And now how could it be that we get the very worst seat?
In less than a second I heard the quiet voice of the Lord respond,
But, Debbi, will you not rejoice? Here she is. She came, and she is not complaining about the seat.
And then he pointed out,
All the other people in the top row—are they not just as important as your sister?

Of course, Lord. I am so sorry. Thank you for setting me straight, and thank you that we do have a seat.
It became one of those personal little moments, Father to daughter.

Well, seconds later my cell phone rang. It was my friend. She had saved us seats on the very first row. I had to say,
Thank you, Lord, for humbling me, and thank you, Lord, that when I did get a good seat, it was a blessing from you.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Life sure is full of curveballs and detours. They may seem random, but when your life is in God’s hands, you can see his fingerprints in the details. Even a seat in a stadium can be a teachable moment. In this case, the position of the seat was not as important as the position of my heart. Will you take your disappointments to your Lord, then leave the final results to him? A humble seat can become a holy moment.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 16:16–18:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–5:3; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 25:6-8

October 12

Don’t Widen the Circle

     
If you argue your case with a neighbor,

          
do not betray another man’s confidence,

     
or he who hears it may shame you

          
and you will never lose your bad reputation.

J. Vernon McGee said, “You could cause a great deal of trouble by criticizing your neighbor to the man down the street. If your neighbor has faults, go and talk to him personally.” Unfortunately, one of the things that we as women often do when we’re upset is widen the circle. It is really easy for us to talk to everyone around us except the person involved. Many new wives learn a painful lesson about this. She has a fight with her husband. In a moment of anger she tells her mom. Then later she makes up with her husband and all is forgotten—except by Mom. That young wife needs to keep her inner circle small and her mouth shut.

The truth is, many times when we are offended by a friend or someone at church or a relative, at the root of it is merely a big misunderstanding. I am sad to say I remember hurting a dear friend a while back. Several times when we were supposed to get together, I canceled at the last minute. She thought it meant that I did not value her friendship. Truthfully I was just overextended. I am thankful that my dear friend did not go around criticizing me to others. Now our friendship is restored, and I am more careful and hopefully more considerate.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Integrity is only proven true when it is tested. And it will surely be tested when you are in a conflict with someone. It is natural to want to build allies and rehearse your case. It is natural to share only your side of the issue. I’m ashamed to say, I’ve been guilty. But in the long run it downgrades people’s trust in you, not just your foe. Next time, in the heat of the moment, when the temptation tugs to share gory details, resist. Let the moment pass, and then rejoice in the victory.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 19:1–21:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 25:9-10

October 13

A Word Fitly Spoken

     
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold

     
In settings of silver.

     
Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold

     
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

     
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest

     
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

     
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

An appropriate word spoken at the right time for the right reason and in the right way is both valuable and beautiful. Ladies, can you see how much our world is lacking for women to speak up for right, and true, and good things?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin
is one of the most tender, spiritual, and moving books I have ever read. It was written at a time when slaves were treated as merchandise, even women and children. It woke people up and caused them to care. When Abraham Lincoln met the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, he said, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” Her words were used to stir others to do the right thing. Words—words can have great power for good.

Jon Courson says, “If you have a heart that wants to obey the Lord and learn of him, you’ll receive the word of a wise reprover as gladly as you would receive a beautiful, gold earring.”

I’ll close today with Proverbs 15:31-32: “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding” (
NIV
).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

God often sends a message of rebuke, exhortation, warning, or comfort in the form of a story or a word picture. Nathan the prophet confronted David’s sin by telling the story of a little lamb that was stolen. Jesus taught us not to worry by looking at the well-fed birds. Of all the books you will ever read, you will never learn more about yourself and the meaning of life than from reading God’s Word. His Word is powerful, it is light, it breaks strongholds, it heals broken hearts, it gives hope, it transforms your thoughts. Most of all, the greatest benefit is that in his Word, God reveals himself. It indeed is a word fitly spoken.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 22:1–23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14

October 14

Patience and Gentleness

     
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

          
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Patience and gentleness are the attributes of wisdom highlighted today. Both are also important fruits of the Spirit of God in our lives. This means that when we yield our lives more and more to the presence and leading and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, his character not only dominates but actually becomes our character. Our impatience and rudeness are replaced. This is really, really good news not only for us but for everyone we come in contact with.

In our proverb, first of all, we’re told that being patient with a ruler can be persuasive. Interesting. Ladies, let’s apply this to someone in your life whom you want to persuade—perhaps your boss, or your husband, or a leader you serve under. You have a good idea. You have a good plan, and you’d like to present it. Wisdom says don’t shove it down someone’s throat. Don’t be pushy or bossy or critical. That is not the way to win friends or influence people.

Thomas Fuller once said, “Kindness is the noblest weapon to conquer with.” So true. Think about it. If someone is trying to persuade us, they will win us more with honey than with vinegar. And so if you have a hard situation, be gentle. If you don’t get your way, be gracious. “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1,
NIV
).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Once again, wisdom blazes a path of goodness before us and invites us to travel the high road. Each time we accept and submit to God’s way, anxiety and frustration fall by the wayside. Fighting and feuding are unnecessary. Patience is the key ingredient. So the challenge to you and me is, will we trust God? Even if he does not work the solution on your timetable (which he usually doesn’t), will you wait and trust?

Let’s Pray

Lord, this is sometimes very hard. Impatience rises up and wants to take over. I need your Holy Spirit to impart your peace, giving me grace to wait on you.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 23:21–25:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 25:15