Be Still and Know Daily Bible Devotion

Proverbs 25:12
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
Johannes Kepler, the German astronomer, said: “I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.” All I can say is: “Good for Johannes Kepler!” I suspect we all really enjoy people saying nice things about us. A rebuke might be very good for us, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to hear, even if it is as valuable as an ornament of fine gold.
There are two challenges here. Firstly, how can we become better at sharing valid criticism with others? Every time I have received helpful criticism, it has been embedded within encouragement. It has often been said that if you need to offer criticism, 80% of what you say should be encouragement. This isn’t a clever political ploy, but a way of ensuring that the criticism is set securely within a relationship of affirmation.
Secondly, how can we become better at receiving criticism? People’s ability to receive criticism undoubtedly varies. Past hurts and traumas make some people very wary of anything that is not entirely positive. Others appear to be so secure that they are able to receive even negative criticism with equanimity. This emphasises the importance of us all finding someone with whom we can be completely honest. Within a loving and trusting relationship we are likely to find that their rebuke is as valuable as a piece of gold jewellery.
Question
In what ways could you give and receive criticism more effectively?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help me to be more loving in offering criticism to others, and more gracious in receiving it. Amen

Proverbs 24:26
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Like most of us, I am sure, I was brought up with the saying that honesty is the best policy. But what they didn’t tell me was that it tends to be the most difficult policy. It’s often easier to keep the truth to yourself because it might not be well received. Indeed, the hearer might be deeply offended by the truth. So we can easily end up playing a game of deceit. We say what other people want to hear and never dare to go anywhere near the sharp edges of truth.
Whenever someone asks us how we are, we have to decide what level of truth to share. The customary answer – “Fine” – often reveals nothing at all and is simply used as a polite way of avoiding conversation. However, at the same time, it would be gruesomely inappropriate to share everything about our lives and feelings.
There is every reason why the Church should be a community characterised by honesty. However, it is easily possible for a church to be as superficial and deceitful as any other group of people. We desperately need to learn what the apostle Paul referred to as “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). When the honest truth is spoken rudely and aggressively, it can be horribly destructive. It will certainly not build anything. Only if our words are full of love will the truth bring healing and blessing. To use the words of Proverbs, our honesty will be like nothing less than “a kiss on the lips”.
Question
Do you have someone with whom you can be completely honest?
Prayer
Lord God, help me to become better at being lovingly honest with those around me. Amen

Proverbs 24:16
Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
The big question is not whether we experience problems, but what we do when they happen. The writer is clear that the person who knows God has resilience. We may get knocked many times, but we are always able to bounce back because we know that God is the one who inspires and strengthens us. When the writer says we may trip seven times, he’s almost certainly using seven to represent an unlimited number of times. Nelson Mandela said: “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
The reason that a godly person is resilient is because their confidence is in God and not in circumstances. If we place our confidence in life working out in a particular way, we are bound to be disappointed. But if we trust ourselves to our faithful God, we can look to the future with confidence.
On many occasions, I have attended the funeral of Christian friends, and the song ‘Blessed be Your name’ has often been chosen. This beautiful song includes the words: “You give and take away / You give and take away / My heart will choose to say / Lord, blessed be your name.” It’s tough to sing these words, and they are often sung with tears, but they show that our confidence is based on our great and loving God, and not on circumstances which, in a broken and sinful world, are often desperately painful and disappointing.
Question
How resilient are you, and how could your resilience grow?
Prayer
Loving God, thank You that You are always worthy of my praise, whatever the circumstances. Amen

Proverbs 23:29-30
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
The abuse of alcohol is clearly not a new problem. These verses reveal a deep understanding of a challenge which continues to test our modern world. It is amazing to see these proverbs written so long ago addressing the issue with such power.
Some people might think of the writer of Proverbs as a killjoy, but his purpose was exactly the opposite. His intention was to kill misery, because he could see that alcohol could so easily ruin people’s lives. In the following verses he talks about how wine can, when drunk to excess, bite like a poisonous snake. He mocked the sheer stupidity of drinking to excess. It makes the drinker look crazy and causes nothing but brokenness and sadness.
The writer has a list of things which need to be avoided at all costs: overeating, idleness, prostitutes, arrogance and bad company, as well as drinking to excess. He isn’t willing to negotiate. This might sound harsh, but when we recognise that these are words of wisdom, and that they come from the heart of a God who loves us, we can follow them in the knowledge that they will be a blessing not only to us but to all those around us as well.
Question
What could you do to help those in your area who have a problem with alcohol?
Prayer
Lord God, I pray for those who are struggling with alcohol abuse in my own community. Please show me ways in which I could be a blessing to them. Amen

Proverbs 23:17-18
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
The writer of Proverbs tells us here that we shouldn’t envy sinners. The tenth commandment goes further and tells us that we shouldn’t covet our neighbour’s house, wife, servant, ox, donkey or anything else that they own (Exodus 20:17). All envy or covetousness is wrong.
Envy is a potential problem for all of us because it has the ability to creep up on us subtly. It doesn’t announce itself with a fanfare but slowly worms its way into our thinking. We see our neighbour’s beautiful house, lovely family and fabulous garden and start to wish that all those things were ours. Very quickly our envy can be destructive.
The writer of the Proverbs has the answer. He tells us to look up and to look forward. Firstly, [itals]look up[end itals] to God. Remember that everything we own is a gift. We have no right to expect anything from Him, so we should spend our time fearing Him and putting Him at the centre of our lives. And secondly, we should [itals]look forward[end itals], knowing that there is a rich reward for anyone who trusts God.
Envy only ever has the ability to rob us of life, so it is important to have a strategy to confront it. So remember, when you are tempted to be envious, and we all will be, [itals]look up[end itals] and [itals]look forward[end itals].
Question
When were you last envious and why? How did you respond?
Prayer
Lord God, thank You that You are always seeking to protect me from those thoughts which could spoil my life. Amen