The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (76 page)

October 15

Full or Fulfilled?

     
Have you found honey?

     
Eat only as much as you need,

     
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. This can apply to most of the enjoyable pleasures of life.

Whenever we go to Disneyland, we are very excited. Since the cost of admission is expensive, most people come early and stay late. We are in line with hundreds of others who can’t wait to enter in. But as we are leaving, we are surrounded by hordes of people who are literally dragging; too much junk food combined with sensory overload makes going home to a quiet house and soft pillow the epitome of wonderful.

God has created us to need balance. “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy, but all play and no work make Nancy a spoiled girl.”

The Bible tells us, “Let your moderation be known to all men” (Philippians 4:5,
KJV
).

How can we apply this to life? Be careful. Don’t go overboard. We, as women, can sometimes get obsessive and compulsive. Some of us like to shop, but we can get into the habit of shopping too much, spending too much for things that we don’t need. For instance, crafts and craft supplies can become addictive. Some of us forget what we have and don’t even use what we buy. After a while we’re sick of it all. We can go overboard with toys and sports for our kids. Their rooms and schedules are so crowded they are overwhelmed. We need to reel it in.

So remember, sometimes less is more.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Too often we are obsessive-compulsive regarding possessions and pleasure, but passive and conservative in our zeal for the Lord. It’s time to switch the order. Revelation 3:15-16, 19 is a wake-up call: “You are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! . . . You are like lukewarm water. . . . I will spit you out of my mouth! . . . I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” Have you been feeling there is more to life? You are right! Only a holy fire and passion for the Lord will fulfill the yearnings in your soul.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 26:1–27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16

October 16

Guest Etiquette

     
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—

          
too much of you, and they will hate you.

Many of us have experienced those times when someone came into our homes and became a little too comfortable. They not only set their foot, they seemed to set up camp. They outstayed their welcome; meaning, when it was time to leave, they didn’t.

This stretches us, doesn’t it? For us as Christians maybe this is even good for us—to be stretched—because the Bible tells us to practice hospitality. Some of us might be a little out of practice. We live in a world where people often do not take the time to make others feel welcome or wanted. We have to be careful that we don’t become like the innkeeper in Bethlehem who hung out a sign, “No room at this inn.”

Hebrews 13:2 tells us, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (
NIV
). What a blessing this innkeeper missed when he turned away Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary.

But actually, this proverb is not addressed primarily to the host or hostess; it’s addressed to us when we are the guests. As guests, we are always to be a blessing. It’s better to stay too short, leaving your hostess wishing you could have stayed longer, than for you to stay too long, leaving your hostess with the feeling she has had too much of you.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

There are times when I am a guest, and times when I am the hostess for Bible study gatherings, dinners, or overnight stays. Here are some etiquette guidelines that will help you be a joy to have at any time.

• Your hosts have spent time and effort to prepare for your coming. Arrive with a contribution: a plate of cookies, flowers, or a special coffee.
  
• Be helpful. It’s fun to chat as you work alongside your hostess to tidy up. For overnight stays, leave the bathroom tidy and the bed linens stripped. Your departure should not leave a burden of work behind.
  
• Be interested and enjoy those around you. Get to know the children.
  
• Be thankful. A sweet note left on the table or sent in the mail will bring a smile.
  

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 28:1–29:32; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 25:17

October 17

Word Weapons

     
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

God inspired Solomon to use very graphic language to describe the brutality of slander. Words can be weapons. It’s interesting that three different weapons are listed. Each would cause damage differently. Let’s examine the implication of each.

Maul is an Old English word for a hammer or a club. Can you see it? This is when we just hammer away, not giving up until the other is bruised and bleeding. There is no quick death for the victim here. Maybe this could be like the wife who just can’t say anything nice about or to her husband. She not only speaks about his faults, but she exaggerates. If he lost his keys five times, she calls it hundreds of times.

A sword is sharp. It cuts down and stabs. Words can be slung like a sword at arm’s length, intended to slash and pierce. Word daggers are used up close, often to stab in the back. They hurt.

A false witness is like a sharp arrow. Like arrows shot from far away, some pass along ugly, unverified information about people that they don’t even know.

Psalm 19:14 is the perfect prayer for us, all of us. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O L
ORD
, my strength and my Redeemer” (
NKJV
).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

In this life we are to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. What does that mean? It means wise action should be free of malice. There are times when you have conflicts and valid concerns. Instead of slander, God has given us a way to approach these matters.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:15-16). If the person doesn’t respond, the third step is to take your concern to the church (if that person is a believer).

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 30:1–31:26; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 25:18-19

October 18

The Grieving Heart

     
Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart

          
is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather

          
or pouring vinegar in a wound.

This proverb is about the incorrect way to show empathy and compassion to others.

Someone whose heart is heavy is someone who’s grieving. When someone is grieving—a new widow, the mother of a terminally ill child or prodigal son—we might think our job is to cheer them up or to help them get over it. Yes, it’s true that we as Christians don’t grieve as others grieve, but listen: we
do
grieve. There are times we desperately
need
to grieve. Romans 12:15 encourages us to “weep with those who weep.” Don’t be afraid of their pain. Be willing to emotionally slip into their shoes and let their sorrow touch your heart.

When Jesus looked around at all the weary, broken people, he was moved with compassion. He was touched by the feeling of their infirmities, and he still is! As we grow in the Lord, he makes us more like him. He gives us his warm and tender mercies.

There is another matter I’ve noticed. Those grieving are often given an abundance of attention in the first months. After that, though, others tend to avoid them because they don’t know what to say anymore. This is what we need to learn. We don’t need to say much, if anything. Actually, Job’s comforters were initially commendable; they came to him and sat with him in his misery. But then they opened their mouths. Sometimes the grieving just need a hug and a smile, a little human touch from someone who cares.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

All of us will travel the path of grieving sometime in our lives. David called it “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4,
NKJV
). It can be a lonely time, but it can also be a holy time. As David discovered, the Lord not only saw his sorrow, he was right there with him. Don’t be afraid to bring all of your doubts and fears and struggles and even anger to him.

     
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.

     
What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 31:27–32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 25:20-22