Faithful Footsteps: Guided Devotions for Life's Path

SATURDAY, 1 JUNE 2024

TEXT: PROVERBS 18:1-15

1: An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

2: Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

3: When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.

4: The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

5: It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

6: The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.

7: The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

8: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

9: One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

10: The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11: The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12: Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

13: To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.

14: The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE FOUNTAIN OF WISDOM

In the first three verses, the fool is identified as someone who pursues selfish gains and is quarrelsome because he or she lacks sound judgment. Also, fools cannot control their mouths which leads to destruction.

They likewise gossip, which earns them beatings. But this is not necessarily physical beating but also means dishonour and disgrace in the community they reside. Unfortunately, there are many believers who fall into this category.

We are called to recognize that, although the words of the mouth may be deep waters, it is the rushing waters from the fountain of wisdom that we must seek.

This wisdom is found in Jesus Christ through committing His Word to our hearts from where the issues of life flow.

QUESTION: What is the source of your wisdom?

PRAYER: Thank You, dear Lord, for being the waters that serve as my fountain of wisdom, in Jesus name. Amen.