DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 16 April 2025: Walking in Wisdom and Righteousness
KEY VERSE: “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.” – (Proverbs 24:5).
TEXT: Proverbs 24:1-20 (KJV)
Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.
3 Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too lofty for a fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He who plots to do evil
Will be called a schemer.
9 The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
13 My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not plunder his resting place;
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
The book of Proverbs gives profound insights into living a life of wisdom and righteousness. The collection of wise sayings in the book offers guidance on avoiding common mistakes, pursuing wisdom, and understanding the consequences of wickedness. Today’s passage teaches many of such nuggets on wise living and freedom from folly.
The opening verses warn us to avoid envy, choose our companions wisely, seek godly counsel, and build our lives with wisdom and understanding. It’s often tempting to look at the prosperity of ungodly people and be envious, but we must not overlook the fact that their path leads to perdition. Many believers get discouraged by the apparent success of the wicked. It appears that when we choose to do right in our corrupt society, we always receive the short end of the stick.
However, instead of comparing ourselves with the wicked, true wisdom demands that we build our lives on the foundation of obedience to God’s word, living with integrity and righteousness. Trusting in God’s justice, we are sure the wicked will receive their due retribution, and the righteous will shine in God’s kingdom.
God calls us to live righteously and surround ourselves with people who love righteousness and truth. We must avoid intimacy with wicked folks or desire their company because their hearts plot violence and their lips boast about making trouble. Undue closeness to evil people opens us up to their ungodly influence and makes us liable to God’s judgment.
The Scripture teaches that evil communications corrupt good manners. The passage also encourages us not to falter but stand firm in times of trouble. Adversity is a test of our strength and faith. Our strength is small if we give up easily. Therefore, we must trust in the Lord and persevere whatever the challenges we face.
Wisdom for the wicked is to repent and desist from attacking the righteous, knowing that grave consequences await the unrepentant. On the other hand, believers should remember that rescuing the perishing is our primary duty. We see sinners around us everywhere we go, and we know the doom awaiting them; we cannot claim ignorance. Wisdom in this regard is that we should preach the gospel to them and deliver them from eternal death. Believers who win souls are wise indeed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Wisdom, truth, and righteousness belong to the same family.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Acts 18-19
Daily Manna 16 April 2025
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