Proverbs 27 Devotional

Welcome!

A light unto our path in this life, indeed God's word is! Proverbs is so chocked full of sage wisdom and occasionally humor, that you are missing out if you do not read it regularly. Thank you for joining me here, to give me the opportunity to share with you some of my favorite passages from Proverbs 27, copy and pasted from Biblegateway (KJV). Scripture in green. My comments in black.

2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Don't BRAG ! Let your works, your behavior, your reputation, speak for you. Compliment others sincerely and look for ways to build them up. Others may build you up in kind.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

There is more value and decency in a friend accidentally hurting you, than an enemy or insincere person merely PRETENDING to like you or to be your friend. Friends are worth working through the hard times with...finding resolution and restoration and forgiveness after there has been tension, or hurt. Friends always have high value. Let the friend be proved and purified over time, and treated with value.

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Oh verse 9 reminds me of how good it feels to receive counsel from a true friend...like soft hope giving ointment on dry chapped skin. God does not intend for any of us to LIFE all alone!!

10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

There is a lot about priorities and respect in verse 10! (Respect as in VALUE) Value your friends, your father's true friends, and your near-by neighbors and their near-by neighbors. Respect near-by neighbors to the extent that it is acceptable to acquiesce to a near-by neighbor to fill a need or look after a loved on in day of trouble, rather than allowing hectic logistics to create havoc on your household while you try to accommodate a travel schedule that does not seem wise or prudent.

12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

A prudent, smart man will pass up and fore-go evil, avoid it. The simple (or foolish) will indulge and reap consequences!

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Friends in the Lord help one another to be better! Iron sharpeneth iron!

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Hard work reaps rewards!!

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Care about others and make it your business to know how they are doing, with intention of seeing how you can help or encourage in their life! An excellent way to live.

Is there a verse from this chapter that is new to you? Is there a verse that makes you look a situation in your life differently? What inspires you most about this chapter? What would you title this chapter if you were to give it a title?

Oh Father, I lift my life and my heart up to you, as a living sacrifice! May I live as you lead, guide, and direct. By Your Holy Spirit, may I increasingly be wise, loving, strong and capable to do what you call me to do. In Jesus's name I pray, AMEN