Proverbs 14

Read Proverbs 14

The Lord loves His people and will hear their requests for wisdom. He will build us up in character and fruitfulness if we listen to His Word eagerly and seek Him in prayer.

Lying, scoffing, laziness—these are not the will of the Lord for our lives. This is the pattern of someone who is governed by old habits. God has something better planned for us, something we can ask Him for together.

Will we stumble along the way? If we sin, Jesus will help us out of the ditch of evil. He went to the cross as our guilt offering. Our Messiah has made peace for us with God.

We know our own sadness and joy, but Jesus knows our hearts much better than we do, and He has good plans for us. We will flourish forever in His house.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” We need to give thought to our steps now. How else will we know where we are going? We should ask God for the wisdom that we need and then resolve to walk in His ways. He is steadfast in devising good for us. We can have confidence in Him and take refuge in His love when we call out to Him in prayer. “In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence.”

God's people can receive the tranquil heart that He has for us. Of course we will never have the joy of godly contentment if we abandon the Lord and His Word. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” We will not experience peace if we refuse to turn away from evil. Yet our ultimate hope is not in our ability to obey. Our place in God's house is first and foremost a gift that comes from the Lord's own righteousness. He is our confidence. His death and resurrection save us every day.

As those who have been lifted up by Him, we joyfully receive the Word of grace that He has ordained for our lives. May His wisdom and peace rest in our hearts forever and produce within our lives a bountiful harvest of holiness and love.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Glorious God, You are building a holy house. You provide for us ministers and parents to move us in the way of understanding. Your Son grants us great spiritual wisdom by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to flourish in Your presence forever. Keep us from pathways that lead only to death. Make us cautious enough to turn away from evil. Help us not to pass on folly to future generations. You make us generous to the poor, and diligent in all our duties. Thank You for the truthful witness of Your Word. The fear of You, O Lord, is a fountain of life. May we drink deeply of these good waters. May wisdom take root in our hearts, and bring forward glorious fruits in our own lives and in the lives of those who hear us and follow us.