September 5th, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Thoughtfulness

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, may Your truth shape my life today. Strengthen me to live each according to Your better way.

Read Proverbs 18:1-24

[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. [16] A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. [17] In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. [18] Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. [19] A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. [20] From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. [21] The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. [22] He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. [23] The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. [24] One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

A quiet and wise person listens, speaks, judges and acts with discernment, fairness and patience.

Think Further

Why do I sit here day after day, reading my Bible and pondering its sayings? Because my spirit needs nourishing and strengthening so that it does not fall flat in time of trial or tragedy (14). I thank God for friends who stick by me (24), for my spouse if I have one (22) and for the safest Friend of all, whose name I know (10).

Then I retrace my path through this chapter, especially noting the need for caution, carefulness and consideration in my words, assessments and actions. I need to be careful in listening (13), because things aren’t always what they seem at first sight (17). Talking too soon, spraying the air with words (2), especially gossip (8), bring strife and shame, and the satisfaction they bring is often deadly (20-21). Verse 4 offers instead wise words, clear and candid, like a bubbling brook, the fruit of wise ears and a discerning heart (15). The world is a harsh place (23). A box of chocolates (but no more) may ease my way (16), but partiality and injustice are not good (5). The rich think their wealth will protect them (11). In a difficult situation am I willing to “cast lots” and trust the outcome to the Lord (18; cf., Prov. 16:33)?

As I cast my eyes back and forth across this chapter, a mosaic gradually emerges of a quiet and wise person who listens, speaks, judges and acts with discernment, fairness and patience. I pray that I may be such a person. Many people in the world live in fear of spirits who make life capricious, unpredictable and unsafe. They may be unnamed monsters in the forest or bad luck in business or the lottery. I thank God for his wonderful names.

Apply

Which proverb(s) speaks to you today and what is the theme: the use of words, the matter of friendship, putting your ultimate trust in wrong things, a bad attitude towards your work? What do you plan to do about it?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, Savior of the world, I thank You for revealing Your name to me, a name to share with all whom I know.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store