July 8, 2015

IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN HARD WORK AND WORTHLESS PURSUITS, FOCUS ON RESULTS

Proverbs 25–29

Hayden Ward
Wednesday's Devo

July 8, 2015

Wednesday's Devo

July 8, 2015

Central Truth

In life, it’s easy to get distracted by worthless things. To get results, we have to focus and do the hard work.

Key Verse | Proverbs 28:19

A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
(Proverbs 28:19)

Proverbs 25–29

More Proverbs of Solomon

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;
take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen
    do not hastily bring into court, 1 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
for 2 25:8 Hebrew or else what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another's secret,
10  lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.

11  A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12  Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13  Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14  Like clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

15  With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16  If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17  Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18  A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19  Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20  Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.
21  If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22  for you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the LORD will reward you.
23  The north wind brings forth rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24  It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25  Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
26  Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27  It is not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory. 3 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
28  A man without self-control
    is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    a curse that is causeless does not alight.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools.
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is one who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10  Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 4 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
11  Like a dog that returns to his vomit
    is a fool who repeats his folly.
12  Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13  The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
    There is a lion in the streets!”
14  As a door turns on its hinges,
    so does a sluggard on his bed.
15  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17  Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19  is the man who deceives his neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”
20  For lack of wood the fire goes out,
    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22  The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23  Like the glaze 5 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross covering an earthen vessel
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24  Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
25  when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26  though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28  A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
    a stranger, and not your own lips.
A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
    but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?
Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
One who is full loathes honey,
    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
Like a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.
Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 6 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel
10  Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend,
    and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.
11  Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
    that I may answer him who reproaches me.
12  The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.
13  Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
    and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress. 7 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners
14  Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
    rising early in the morning,
    will be counted as cursing.
15  A continual dripping on a rainy day
    and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16  to restrain her is to restrain the wind
    or to grasp 8 27:16 Hebrew to meet with oil in one's right hand.
17  Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another. 9 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another
18  Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and he who guards his master will be honored.
19  As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.
20  Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
    and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
21  The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and a man is tested by his praise.
22  Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
    along with crushed grain,
    yet his folly will not depart from him.

23  Know well the condition of your flocks,
    and give attention to your herds,
24  for riches do not last forever;
    and does a crown endure to all generations?
25  When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
    and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
26  the lambs will provide your clothing,
    and the goats the price of a field.
27  There will be enough goats' milk for your food,
    for the food of your household
    and maintenance for your girls.
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
    but the righteous are bold as a lion.
When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law strive against them.
Evil men do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit 10 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
    gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his prayer is an abomination.
10  Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11  A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13  Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14  Blessed is the one who fears the LORD 11 28:14 Hebrew lacks the LORD always,
    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15  Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16  A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17  If one is burdened with the blood of another,
    he will be a fugitive until death; 12 28:17 Hebrew until the pit
    let no one help him.
18  Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
    but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19  Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20  A faithful man will abound with blessings,
    but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21  To show partiality is not good,
    but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22  A stingy man 13 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil hastens after wealth
    and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23  Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
    than he who flatters with his tongue.
24  Whoever robs his father or his mother
    and says, “That is no transgression,”
    is a companion to a man who destroys.
25  A greedy man stirs up strife,
    but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
26  Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27  Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
    but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28  When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,
    but when they perish, the righteous increase.
He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
By justice a king builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts 14 29:4 Or who taxes heavily tears it down.
A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.
An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.
If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10  Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright. 15 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
11  A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12  If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.
13  The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
    the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14  If a king faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.
15  The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16  When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17  Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.
18  Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, 16 29:18 Or the people are discouraged
    but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19  By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
    for though he understands, he will not respond.
20  Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21  Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
    will in the end find him his heir. 17 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain
22  A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23  One's pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24  The partner of a thief hates his own life;
    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25  The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
26  Many seek the face of a ruler,
    but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
27  An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
    but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Footnotes

[1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
[2] 25:8 Hebrew or else
[3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
[4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
[5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross
[6] 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel
[7] 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners
[8] 27:16 Hebrew to meet with
[9] 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another
[10] 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
[11] 28:14 Hebrew lacks the LORD
[12] 28:17 Hebrew until the pit
[13] 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil
[14] 29:4 Or who taxes heavily
[15] 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
[16] 29:18 Or the people are discouraged
[17] 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 25–29

This passage talks about results—the results of hard work and the results of worthless pursuits. It really speaks to me, because many times I find myself chasing worthless pursuits like video games. But this verse also talks about hard work and the results that come from it. My "hard work" right now is high school. So instead of following worthless pursuits, I should focus more on my school work.

One example of this is when I really tried to focus on school and my hardest class, Spanish 2. I haven't made the best test and quiz grades. I don’t think I’ve studied enough. But I really tried to put all the distractions aside to see if I could do the hard work and make good grades. I had a quiz coming up, so I decided to study very hard for it. After studying and translating everything, I thought I was ready for the test. The next day, I took the quiz, and it was really easy for me. I knew everything I was supposed to know. At the end of the quiz, I was shocked to make a 100! I felt very accomplished.

I can also accomplish this "hard work" in my walk with Christ. We all can "harvest more crops" in our spiritual walk with God by digging deeper into His Word daily and learning more about Him. In the morning, my phone and my thoughts about the day often distract me from reading my Bible. But I am trying to be diligent to read anyway. I remember 2 Timothy 2:4, " Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them."  I’m continuing to learn not to follow worthless pursuits and instead put in "hard work" that pays off at school and in my walk with God.

Discussion Questions

1.  What are the "worthless pursuits" that distract you?

2.  What is the "hard work" that you should focus on?

3.  What are some examples of how God has blessed your hard work?

4.  What are some ways you can grow in your spiritual walk with God?