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Daily Devotion: Proverbs 19:19-21

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Proverbs 19:19-21    "A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.  (20)  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.  (21)  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."

As I travel through the book of Proverbs, it seems to me that Solomon (inspired by God) is saying there is a great need for self-discipline in our lives. It all begins with the "fear (giving honor) of God". There are many things in our natural state that distracts and throws us off the right path. There are many things in this world that feed those natural (carnal) tendencies in our lives. Back in chapter 4, we read, "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  (26)  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  (27)  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:25-27)  He was telling us to keep our eyes focused where they should be, think about what we are doing, and do not turn from the right path. One of the things that causes us to stray, or become distracted, is anger. We may have different names for it, but it boils down to having a "hot temper". That is what the word, "wrath," means in today's passage.  A hot temper will cause us to say or do things that will cause great sorrow and trouble in our lives.  Solomon says that if we deliver someone who has a hot temper on one occasion, we will have to do it again.  How do we work against that wrath? God tells us to seek counsel, direction, for our lives that we may be able to have, and to use, wisdom in all situations. Where do we go for that counsel? We may think we can do it on our own, but I assure you we can't. We are to seek direction from the Wonderful Counselor. His name is Jesus and His counsel is sure and steadfast. AND - He stands with open arms, saying "Come to me!"

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