"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

Luke 2:19

On Christmas Eve, a frazzled and stressed mother was running from store to store trying to get her last minute gifts. In the middle of her shopping, she realized she’d lost track of her three-year-old son. In a panic, she retraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene.

When he heard his mom call his name, the little boy turned and exclaimed, “Look Mommy! It’s Jesus! It’s baby Jesus in the hay!”

The frazzled mom took his arm and led him away saying, “We don’t have time for all that right now! Can’t you see that Mommy’s trying to get ready for Christmas?”

How easy it can be to lose sight of the meaning, wonder, and true joy of Christmas! Obligations of the season combined with the normal pressures of life can produce stress, fatigue, and frustration—the opposite of serenity.

Mary could have easily succumbed to this same temptation. With the strain of travel and stress of finding a place to give birth, combined with the emotions of holding her Saviour in her arms and the excitement of the shepherds—she had a lot to take in that first Christmas season.

Yet the Bible says Mary took time to ponder all these things in her heart. In a moment of peaceful contemplation, she found serenity for her soul. She chose not to stress, analyze, fret, or worry.

Yes, there is much about which we can worry and fret—especially during the busy seasons of life. But there is also much for which we can praise and thank God. If your soul lacks that God-given peace, pause for a moment today and spend time with your Saviour. Ponder His goodness in your life and enjoy the serenity He can bring to a frazzled heart.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."

Luke 2:15–18

The angelic host returned to Heaven after announcing the birth of Christ to the shepherds. God could have sent these angels across Israel and even around the world to make the same announcement. Yet instead, the shepherds were the ones who spread the news that Jesus had come. God’s plan for spreading the message of salvation is that those who have heard it will take it to others all around the world.

Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul said that God, “hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). We have a calling to proclaim the Gospel. This task falls not just on those in vocational ministry, but on every believer. The shepherds had no training, but they could tell what they had experienced.

Our focus on the shepherds in the Christmas story often begins with the appearance of the angels and ends with them at the manager, but there is more to it than that. They became messengers for God. This is a wonderful time of year to share the Gospel with others. Even people who are not normally interested in spiritual things may be more open because of the season. Be alert for opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas and God’s plan of salvation with everyone you can.

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

Luke 1:35–38

William Barclay once said that the world’s most popular prayer is, “Thy will be changed.” But the world’s greatest prayer is, “Thy will be done.” Mary displayed this attitude of submission to the will and plan of God when she received the news that she would be the mother of the Messiah. I’m sure she didn’t fully understand everything that was going to happen. What she did understand was that she was willing to do whatever God wanted her to do.

The role that God had for Mary to play involved a great deal of difficulty and sacrifice. There is a popular but false teaching today that if we love God He will make sure only good things happen to us and that we will get everything we want. It’s easy to see why people like that message, but it does not match the Word of God. God’s plan for us frequently involves things that we would not choose for ourselves, but these are things that He knows are best for us.

Rather than fight against His purpose or have our faith be shaken when things don’t go as we think they should, we should be yielded to His will. Let us say with Mary that we want our lives to go according to God’s Word.

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

John 1:10–13

There are points throughout the Christmas season when I don’t know what to do—primarily when it comes to gift giving. I don’t know what to purchase. I don’t know how the gifts will be received. Maybe you can identify with this feeling. Perhaps you don’t know which Christmas event to attend. Some people may not even know how much money they are spending! But there is one important truth—one important Person—that people often don’t recognize during this season.

Christmas is a tangible expression of God’s great love for us—a love so great that it led Him to send His Son to be our Saviour. Yet most of the world does not recognize the love of God or the meaning of Christmas. This is not true just for our day. It was true when Jesus was here as well. When the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the place where Jesus had been born, the religious leaders knew exactly where to send them—to Bethlehem. Yet though they knew this, they showed no interest in going to see Jesus themselves.

The world did not and does not recognize the gift of God’s love. Even worse, the very people to whom Christ came rejected Him. So many people today are repeating that tragic error. Though they may celebrate Christmas, they do not know the Christ of Christmas. Take time this Christmas to introduce someone to Jesus Christ.

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Luke 2:4–7

Because of the census that had been decreed by Caesar Augustus, when Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem, after a long and difficult journey of some eighty miles, they could not find anywhere to stay. Travel was quite demanding in Bible times, and there was nothing like the widespread system of accommodations for travelers that we take for granted today. There would have been only a few places for visitors to stay, and there was no room in the inn.

Of course, this initial rejection was symbolic of the reaction of the world to Jesus. They did not receive Him or His message. His brothers did not believe Him until after the resurrection. The people of His hometown tried to kill Him after His first sermon in Nazareth. The Jewish leaders rejected His message and conspired to put Him to death.

But the tragedy of the full inn can easily be repeated in our own lives as well. While we would never knowingly turn Jesus away from staying in our homes, we can allow ourselves to become so busy—often with things that are right and good—that we simply have no room in our thoughts or schedules for spending time with Him. Make time during this Christmas individually and with your family to focus on Jesus and thank Him for coming to save you.

"And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."

Deuteronomy 17:18–20

Long before Israel foolishly rejected God in search of a king to rule over them, God gave instruction to Moses for what the king should do when he assumed office. One of the critical assignments each king was supposed to follow was to make for himself a handwritten copy of the law of God from the scrolls carefully kept and preserved by the priests. This would be a labor-intense task that would consume a great amount of time in the life of a busy man with many responsibilities. Yet God commanded that the investment of time and effort be made.

This command illustrates the vital priority that the Word of God should have in our lives. It is from the Scriptures that we learn to fear and obey God and keep His commandments. It is from the Scriptures that we learn to be humble and to instruct others to follow God. In our day when copies of the Bible are readily available, it is easy for us to take the Word for granted. Instead, we should treasure and cherish it, and make it part of our daily lives.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

1 Peter 4:12–13

In 1555, as part of her campaign to re-establish the Catholic Church in England, Queen Mary, also known as Bloody Mary, arranged for John Philpot, one of the leading Protestant ministers of the day, to be burned at the stake. When his death sentence was pronounced, Philpot said, “I am ready; God grant me strength and a joyful resurrection.” Philpot walked to the place of execution on his own, rather than having to be dragged to it, and when he reached it, he knelt and kissed the stake at which he would be burned.

It is easy for us to focus on our problems and think that they are larger than they really are. Most of us have never endured genuine persecution for our faith. A few times people have gotten upset with me for sharing the Gospel with them, but none of them have tried to kill me. There may come a day when we must make the same life-or-death decision to be loyal to Christ regardless of the consequences. However, even in lesser trials we have a definite choice to make. Will we stand firm for what is right, or will we lower the standard to avoid trouble?

Christ could easily have avoided the cross, yet He chose instead to suffer for our salvation. When we suffer for doing right, we should rejoice because we have the opportunity to follow His example. The joy that is coming when we reach Heaven is so great that we should willingly endure whatever trials come to us in this life. May God give us grace to be faithful to Him.

"Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

Acts 20:31–32

As our church has grown over the years, we have built a number of buildings so we can worship and study the Word together. I have noticed as we have gone through the building process again and again, that while the structures may have different designs and different purposes, every building project has one feature in common. For instance, no building project that I have ever seen or heard of has been quick! They all take time.

It is the same way in the Christian life. We want to see immediate results, but the work that God is doing in our hearts through His Word and His grace takes time. Before any building is constructed, a foundation must be laid that will provide structure and stability so the building will last. As you look toward the new year, remember that the foundation for God’s work in your life must be solid before anything great can be done for Him. Don’t be discouraged in the preparation process.

It’s also important during any building project not to let delays and problems deter you from your purpose. Things aren’t always going to go according to plan. There will be days when it seems like nothing is happening. Yet we must not be discouraged “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Keep on moving forward through the new year. The blueprint God has given us in His Word is tested and proven. Live each day in such a way that at the end of the year you will be closer to God than you were at the beginning. Simply trust Him to build your life!

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Proverbs 1:1–2

Industrialist Charles Schwab was a key figure in Andrew Carnegie’s steel empire. Frustrated with his inability to get everything done, he once reluctantly agreed to meet with a consultant named Ivy Lee, who was recommended to him by John D. Rockefeller. Schwab had little use for consultants, but since Rockefeller recommended Lee so highly, he scheduled the meeting. Lee’s proposal was elegantly simple.

He told Schwab to make a list of the six most important things he could do the next day to further the overall health and function of U.S. Steel. At the end of the day, Schwab was to review the list, move anything that had not been finished to the top of the next day’s list, and then add enough items to make a total of six again. Within fifteen minutes, the meeting concluded. Lee told Schwab to follow this practice for thirty days, and then send him a payment based on how much Schwab thought the advice was worth. After the month ended, Schwab sent Lee a check for $25,000!

This story illustrates the great value of receiving instruction in wisdom. Wisdom can be defined as “skillfulness in the use of knowledge.” It is more than just education and the accumulation of facts. Wisdom is being instructed in God’s views and values and living accordingly. It is so important, in fact, that God has given us an entire book of Scripture designed to instruct us to live wisely.

Throughout this year, we will be studying in these devotions the wisdom recorded in Proverbs. This book is the written advice that Solomon wrote and compiled for his son Rehoboam, to help prepare him to do right and lead the nation of Israel. May we apply our hearts to wisdom today and throughout our lives.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:1-2

Thousands of people each year visit the Winchester Mansion in San Jose, California. This massive structure was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the gun company owner. For thirty-eight years, from 1884 until her death in 1922, the house was under constant construction. Teams of carpenters, masons and other workers were employed around the clock. Various stories have been told about the reason for this unusual practice. Most center on Mrs. Winchester’s belief that she either was haunted or would be haunted by the ghosts of those killed by her husband’s weapons unless she kept building her house. Others claim that she thought she would not die as long as building continued.

Whatever the reason, she continued ordering more renovations and construction as long as she lived. There are more than 10,000 windows in the Winchester Mansion, doorways and stairs that lead to blank walls, and some 160 rooms in total. It is estimated that she spent more than $70,000,000 in today’s money on largely pointless construction—all in a desperate search for peace that was ultimately doomed to fail.

Many people today are seeking peace through equally fruitless means. They turn to pleasure, drugs, alcohol, immorality, wealth and other dead end avenues. Like the staircases that lead nowhere in the Winchester Mansion, pursuing such paths will never bring peace. Instead we find peace when we follow the path that God has given us in His Word. Those who keep the law of God in their hearts and obey it in their actions add peace to their lives. Rather than seeking peace as an end, we should seek to follow Christ. When we do we will find that peace comes as a side effect that we receive from Him.

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

Proverbs 5:1-2

Operation Fortitude was one of the most important parts of the Allied war effort against Germany during the Second World War. Yet despite its importance, almost no one outside of what was called the London Controlling Section even knew of its existence. That’s because the purpose of Operation Fortitude was to deceive the Germans so they would not reinforce their defense at Normandy, which would be the site of the Allied invasion of Europe.

They intentionally leaked false information and planted misleading news stories, fed detailed copies of supposed invasion plans to known German spies and created elaborate phantom armies to confuse the German military about their true intentions. When the attack was actually launched in June of 1944, they continued their efforts, releasing stories to suggest it was only a diversion with the real invasion to follow later. The success of this secret operation contributed greatly to the victory over Germany.

Discretion is the ability to sort out truth from error. Someone defined it as the ability to read between the lines. Someone else pointed out the vital importance of discretion this way. “You get education when you carefully read the fine print on a contract. You get experience when you don’t.” God knows that we are facing a stream of temptation from Satan who is a great deceiver. To help protect us, He has given us His Word to teach us discretion.

By becoming familiar with the truth, we find it easier to recognize and reject error. This is why the acquisition of wisdom is so important—it goes hand in hand with developing discretion. As we grow in grace on our way toward Heaven we should be strengthening our skill at reading between the lines and avoiding the deception of the enemy.

My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

Proverbs 7:1-3

Jonathan Goforth was one of the great missionary heroes of the past. For decades he labored among the people of China, and many thousands were saved as a result of his work. He was known for his powerful praying, his love for the lost, and his love for the Scriptures. He spent prolonged hours reading and studying God’s Word. Late in his life, disease robbed him of eyesight. Since he could no longer read the Bible for himself, he would have some of the young men who were training for the ministry come in and read to him in Chinese.

In her biography, Goforth of China, written after her husband’s death, Rosalind Goforth described how each time one of readers would skip a verse or read one incorrectly, Goforth would correct them. He had spent so much time in the Scriptures that he knew virtually the entire Bible by heart. The effectiveness of his ministry was based in the power of the Word of God.

I have learned much from good books and I am thankful for them and those who write them, but nothing can take the place of the Bible. It should be our primary source of instruction and education regarding the things of God. One old preacher said he found the verses he read gave him great insight into what the commentaries had to say about the verses. There is a reason that when Paul was imprisoned in Rome he asked Timothy to bring him “the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13). Even the great apostle who had penned much of the New Testament under inspiration wanted to have the Word of God to read and study.

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

Proverbs 9:1

William Levitt headed his family’s successful construction company, carefully guiding it through the Great Depression. Following World War II, to meet the housing needs of tens of thousands of soldiers returning to America, the company began developing suburbs which came to be known as Levittowns. These early suburbs featured homes built according to the principles of an assembly line model, which were then shipped to the suburb where they would be permanently located. Because of this production method, Levitt’s homes were economical to purchase and therefore attractive to these young men beginning homes of their own.

The company eventually built more than 180,000 homes in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. The company claimed at the height of production to be producing a finished home every sixteen minutes. Even now, decades later, thousands of people are living in homes built by the Levitt & Sons, which, although built quickly, were built to last.

Far more important than the building that houses our families are the homes that we create inside those buildings. Strong and lasting families are built on the principles of wisdom found in the Word of God. There is no shortage of dangers and threats facing our homes today. Satan knows that by destroying families he undermines both the church and society. Against these threats we must be constantly on guard.

Some years ago the saying “The family that prays together stays together” became popular. There is a great deal of truth in those simple words. Those families that put God first—who focus on pleasing and obeying Him and on developing Christ-honoring relationships with one another—find that they are building on a solid foundation. Just as every part of a Levitt home was constructed by following the master plan designed by the architect, God has given us a blueprint to wisely build our homes.

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."

Proverbs 11:2

J. Hudson Taylor was one of the great missionary heroes in history. His work in the China Inland Mission saw thousands come to Christ, and the stories of his faith and prayers have inspired the generations that have followed. His work was driven by his passion to see the salvation of the lost. He once said, “If I had a thousand lives, China should have them. No! Not China, but Christ. Can we do enough for such a precious Saviour?” Taylor also had another outstanding characteristic—his humility.

The story is told of two women in Shanghai who were discussing the topic of pride and began to wonder if the famous missionary was ever tempted to be prideful because of his many accomplishments. One of the women decided to ask Taylor’s wife, Maria, about it. Maria promised the woman that she would find out. When Mrs. Taylor asked her husband if he was ever tempted to be proud, he was surprised. “Proud about what?” he asked. “About all of the things you have done,” his wife explained. Taylor responded, “I never knew I had done anything.”

One of the great truths we must remember is that it is God who does the work and deserves all of the credit. Paul put it this way: “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7). If we remain focused on this truth, we avoid the snare of pride because we realize that we have done nothing for which we can take credit.

Satan uses pride especially effectively against those who are busy in working for the Lord. Many mighty men and women who have done much for God have been brought to shameful sin through the snare of pride. Remember, we deserve no praise or recognition for what God has graciously done through us, but we do enjoy getting to be part of the process when we remain humble!

"A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke."

Proverbs 13:1

I heard about a couple who bought one of the first automobiles many years ago. They decided to take their prize possession out for a drive to show off to their neighbors. As they made their way along the road, the engine suddenly stopped. The man got out to look at the car, but to his great annoyance and frustration, he didn’t have any idea what to do to get it running again. An older man passed by and offered to help with the car, but the driver didn’t seem interested. So Henry Ford went on his way, and the wise advice and help he could easily have given was never heard.

While it is not usually pleasant to receive correction or rebuke, it is vitally important that we listen to and heed the warnings of wisdom. God has graciously given us people—parents, a spouse, teachers, pastors, mentors, and friends—to help us avoid the pitfalls of life and the snares of sin. His intention is that we will listen to what they have to tell us and shape our lives accordingly. The American self-made man is foreign to God’s plan for living. His plan is for us to learn from the teachers of wisdom He places in our lives.

It is much less painful to learn from the experiences of others than it is to refuse correction and experience the pain and trouble firsthand. Those who insist on continuing in their own way are living in folly. Benjamin Franklin put it this way: “Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.” When our pride and stubbornness prevent us from listening, we are on the path to danger. When we are willing to humble ourselves and receive instruction, we are on the path to wisdom.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1-2

I read about a study that researchers at Kenyon College conducted among naval personnel. They wanted to evaluate how the tone in which orders were given impacted the response those orders received. What the study showed was that the way in which the orders were given had a greater impact on the response than the content of those orders. The tone of the order went a long way toward determining the response.

When someone received an order in a soft voice, the answer tended to be given softly. But when the order was shouted, the response tended to be sharp as well. Interestingly enough, these findings held true whether the communication was in person or on the phone. It was not so much the facial expression or body language as the tone and volume of the voice that drove the response.

The same principle holds true in our lives, just as we find spelled out in the Scripture. When we speak to those around us with harsh, loud, or angry words, we should expect a negative response. Wisdom guides us to govern and control the way in which we speak to others. This is an especially important lesson for those in leadership positions—pastors, teachers, parents—as the manner of our speech often determines the response as much or more than the content.

We should never shrink from a necessary confrontation or correction. If some behavior needs to be changed or stopped it should be plainly stated. However, this should be done in kindness and love rather than harshness. Jesus was never soft when confronting sin, yet those who heard Him speak were astonished by the “gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:22).

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 17:1

There is an old parable about a king who had fallen ill. The doctors could not cure his disease, but one of them told him that if he put on the clothing of a truly contented man, he would be healed. The king immediately dispatched his servants throughout the land to seek a contented man so that he could be cured. One by one they went out and returned without success. Finally the last servant returned, and he also was empty-handed.

“Could you not find a single contented man in my kingdom?” the monarch asked.” “We found only one, Sire,” the servant replied. “Then where is his shirt? I must have that to be cured.” “The contented man we found was so poor that he had no shirt,” the answer came.

Often we fall prey to the trap of thinking that if we just had a little bit more than we already have, we would then be happy. Satan has been using this lie effectively throughout all of human history. Yet getting more never works because getting more things creates still more obligations and appetites rather than producing satisfaction. As Solomon pointed out, “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them” (Ecclesiastes 5:11).

Instead of looking for more and better things, we should be thankful to God for what we already do have. The Hebrew word for “morsel” in Proverbs 17:1 literally means a crumb or a tiny piece. Gratitude does not come from the size and scope of our blessings, though we indeed have received so much. Rather gratitude comes when we realize that every good thing we have is a gift from God and is a result of His grace rather than our merit. Such thinking produces great benefits for our lives. First Timothy 6:6 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

"Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."

Proverbs 19:1

When Carlo Ponzi arrived in Boston from Italy in 1903, he had just $2.51 in his pocket. He quickly became involved in a number of shady deals and served several years in prison, first for forgery and then later for his involvement in a smuggling ring. When he returned to society, he determined to make a fortune, and he began encouraging people to invest in a plan that was “guaranteed” to pay them a handsome rate of interest.

Ponzi was selling international reply coupons, a form of postage payment designed for international mail. Since few people had ever seen one and almost no one understood how they worked, it was easy for Ponzi to convince people that buying them in different countries could produce vast profits. Though there was never any real way to make money in the project, Ponzi used the new money coming in to pay off his early investors, and publicity encouraged still more people to “invest.” When the plan collapsed, those who had trusted Ponzi lost everything. In less than a year he had swindled some 250 million dollars in today’s money from those who trusted him. Today his very name is synonymous with swindles and schemes.

Though God may choose to bless us with financial riches, the presence of wealth is certainly not proof that a person is doing what he should. In fact, there are cases when riches are part of God’s judgment on someone’s life. Proverbs 1:32 notes, “...the prosperity of fools shall destroy them,”

Instead of focusing our desires and ambition on accumulating money and things, we should focus on keeping our character and integrity strong. Though that kind of wealth cannot be measured in dollars, stocks, or assets, it is a true wealth that can never be taken away or lost.

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

Proverbs 21:1

Cyrus was a heathen king, the ruler of the Medes and Persians, who as far as we know was not a believer in the true God. Yet years before he was born, Isaiah spoke of him by name and prophesied that God would use him to restore the people of Israel to their home and help them rebuild the Temple, which then had not yet been destroyed. “ That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28).

This wonderful story from the Word of God emphasizes for us the truth that God is in control of our world. Nothing ever takes Him by surprise or causes Him to change His plans. As the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “At first laying down as a fact fundamental, that nothing with God can be accidental.” If we understand that God is in control, then there is no reason for us to fear, regardless of how bad our circumstances may appear. Even death for a Christian is not a tragedy but merely the entrance to something far better and more wonderful.

This truth also gives us confidence in our praying. The God to whom we present our petitions has the power to respond, shaping events and moving the hearts of people to help us far beyond our power to influence or persuade. We are not alone as we face the challenges of this world. It is a tragedy when God’s children live like orphans rather than as children of the King. We have been given His invitation to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16), and we should do so, praying to God and believing that He will hear and answer.

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Proverbs 23:4

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Hetty Green may have been the biggest miser who ever lived. Her father died when she was thirty leaving her an inheritance of more than $100 million in today’s money. Though it was unusual for a woman to be involved with banking and investments at the time, she concentrated all of her efforts and attention on growing the family fortune.

Her focus on money drove a wedge between her husband and their two children. And the family was scattered. Known for eating cold oatmeal to save money for heating and washing only the hem of her dress to save money on soap, she was sometimes called the “Witch of Wall Street.” When her son, Ned, broke his leg as a boy, she tried to have him treated in a free clinic for the poor, before treating him at home. His leg would later have to be amputated. When she died, Hetty Green was worth the equivalent of some 4 billion dollars today, but she was alone and miserable.

Each of us have a choice in how we will invest our lives and in what goals we will pursue. A life that is spent only in acquiring material wealth will never produce true and lasting happiness. A life that is spent for the good of others and building the work of the Lord may not result in the same level of possessions and wealth. But in light of the eternal dividends that come when we lay up treasures in Heaven, we are wise pursue to eternal goals.

While wealth and riches are not inherently evil, the pursuit of them has led many people away from following God and into a life of sin and misery. First Timothy 6:10 says it plainly: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The missionary Jim Elliot wisely wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter."

Proverbs 25:2

George Washington Carver became one of the most honored and respected scientists of his generation by focusing on the very simple peanut. Eventually he would discover some three hundred uses for this most basic and seemingly insignificant common food. Carver attributed all of his scientific discoveries to God.

He once said that he had asked God to explain the universe to him, but that he felt God saying that was too large a task. When he asked for something he could handle, Carver said that God directed his attention to the peanut. His focus and search for value produced amazing results. Carver never doubted that God was rewarding his faith and effort, and he said, “Without God to draw aside the curtain I would be helpless.”

In a day when many people deny that truth even exists as an absolute reality, those of us who know God need to be more focused than ever on seeking for it. Truth is not an abstract concept that varies with time and place and can never be fully known. Truth is part of the very nature of God. As we grow and develop in our Christian walk and learn more about Him, we will also learn more about the truth. The Scripture tells us that honor comes when we diligently investigate to find the truth.

Winston Churchill once said, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.” Instead of running away from truth, we should diligently pursue it. Through the pages of God’s Word and the principles God provides, we should endeavor to understand and seek the truth about every relationship and interaction we have so we will live as people of honor and integrity.

"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

Proverbs 27:1

Major General John Sedgwick was born into a family with a long and honored military tradition. He was named for his grandfather, who served as a general with George Washington in the Revolutionary War. After graduating from West Point he served with distinction in the Mexican-American War where he received two battlefield promotions. During the Civil War he was twice wounded in battle, and after his recovery he was placed in charge of the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac.

In May of 1864, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Sedgwick was directing artillery placements for his troops when they came under fire from the Confederate lines. The men began ducking for cover, and Sedgwick scolded them. “What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance.” Those were the last words Sedgwick ever spoke, as just seconds later he was hit in the head and killed by a bullet. Sedgwick was the highest ranking Union officer to die during the entire Civil War.

Exerting confidence is to be admired, but presuming that we know the future and can control its outcome is the height of folly. In truth, none of us knows what is going to happen tomorrow. We can and should make wise plans for our lives, our families, and our ministries; but behind every plan must be the knowledge that God is ultimately in control of the outcome. Rather than presumptuous boasting we should humbly remember God’s sovereignty. James 4:15 cautions those who would boast of tomorrow, “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Trust God fully, and rely on His wise control of events.

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

Proverbs 29:1

Bernard Madoff seemed to have it all. He lived the life of the fabulously wealthy in New York City. The securities trading company he founded when he graduated from college produced amazing returns for investors. He was tapped to serve as Chairman of the NASDAQ stock trading company. He rubbed elbows with the elite of the financial, political, and entertainment worlds. He enjoyed the best of everything that money could buy.

Yet all of Madoff’s apparent success was built on the foundation of a lie. His investment firm was nothing more than a giant Ponzi scheme that for decades depended on getting new investors to pay off the old ones while money was being siphoned off for the personal use of Madoff and his family. With shocking suddenness Madoff was arrested, tried, and convicted. He is today serving a 150-year sentence in federal prison.

One of the most effective lies of Satan is that we will get away with doing wrong. He convinces us that we will be the exception and can escape the consequences of sin. If we had an accurate assessment of the devastating results of sin in advance, we would be far more hesitant to cross the lines that God has drawn in His Word. Often we mistake the grace and forbearance of God that protects us from immediate punishment when we first do wrong as His permission to continue. Yet that very mercy is extended as a reminder to do right. As Paul wrote, “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

The only cure for sin is confession and repentance. No cover up will hide sin from the eyes of God, and if we continue stiff necked in doing wrong, eventually judgment will fall. The best way to avoid sudden destruction is to respond to the first warnings of reproof.

"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted."

Proverbs 31:4-5

There is no question that consuming alcohol affects a person’s judgment in a negative way. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that seventy percent of speeding drivers who have fatal accidents between midnight and 3:00 a.m. are legally drunk. Intoxicated drivers are half as likely to wear seatbelts, and alcohol is involved in more than four out of every five crashes involving drivers who are driving on suspended or revoked licenses or without a license at all.

Alcohol abuse is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly half of trauma patients in emergency rooms are there because of alcohol. Those who had been drinking are three times more likely to die in a fire than those who have not. More than one third of adult drowning involves the use of alcohol. Yet people continue to insist that they can “handle it” and know when they have had too much to drink. This is folly because from the first drink alcohol begins to impair judgment.

Every day we are involved in a very real spiritual war. We have a committed enemy who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The danger we face day after day requires that we must be diligent and on guard. That is one of the reasons the Bible and especially the book of Proverbs—the book devoted to teaching principles for wise living— contains so many warnings about the dangers of drinking and drunkenness. Alcohol affects our senses, dulls our judgment, and keeps us from fulfilling our duty to God. We should reject it in all of its forms.