Category: First Things First Devotional

Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck: write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

Dictionary.com reports that loyalty is the act of being loyal. This requires being faithful to one’s oath, commitments, or obligations. Faithfulness involves being true to one’s word, promises, or vows. Reliability, trustworthiness, and honesty each describe the very essence of loyalty. It is easy to understand why businesses seek loyal and faithful employees. A husband or wife is honored by a spouse who is loyal and faithful and everyone values a friend with these qualities. I remember my father telling me many times, “You are only as good as your word.” It has been my lifelong goal to live by this principle and to conduct myself as a person of integrity.

Solomon reminds us that we must hold tight to loyalty and faithfulness. We must not let them go because they can be among our best assets. Loyalty and faithfulness are so important that he encourages us to put them around our necks as treasures so we will never lose them and can hold them dear to our hearts. If we are consistently loyal and faithful we will be held in high regard by men and by God.

Challenge: Be a loyal and faithful employee, friend, and spouse. May people always find you to be a person of your word; someone who is reliable, trusted, and believed. Pray that God will show you how you can be a person who finds favor in the sight of God and man by the way you live.

My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. Proverbs 3:1-2

It seems that today everyone is searching for purpose and meaning in life through the pursuit of a fulfilled life or the perfect job that will bring happiness. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that people born between 1957 and 1964 held an average of 11 jobs from ages 18 to 44. On average, men held 11.4 jobs and women held 10.7 jobs. Twenty-five percent held 15 jobs or more, while 12% held four jobs or less. People always seem to be searching for the perfect, though elusive job that will provide success, money, and happiness.

This Proverb reveals that true happiness and fulfillment in life comes from following God’s commands. The promise of a long life, a full life, and prosperity comes when one desires to do what is pleasing to God. This is a reflection of one of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:12. It is again repeated in the New Testament, “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 HCSB)

Challenge: Are you looking for happiness and fulfillment in your life? You will not find it in the things of this world. True happiness can only be found in doing the will of our Heavenly Father. Pray that you will know and do the will of God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB

This verse is my mother’s favorite Bible verse and is written on a wall hanging in our home. She has shared it with our children and many others in their hour of need. It is also one of my favorites. I have memorized it and have quoted it many times through the years. This is a comforting verse when we struggle to understand why bad things happen that do not seem to be fair or just. We question and wonder why God would allow tragedies to come into our lives.

This verse reminds us to trust the Lord. The word trust appears in Psalm 22:9 and seems to evoke the image of a small child resting peacefully in the arms of his mother. Even when we do not understand the “why” of what has happened, we can always trust God because He is our Heavenly Father and only wants the best for each of us. Trying to figure out the “why” is often futile. Our focus should be on following God’s ways instead of pursuing our own understanding. As we seek God’s ways He will give us guidance and keep us on the path of the righteous.

Challenge: What has happened in your life that causes you to ask God, “Why”? It is hard to understand why small children die in an accident or a young mother dies of cancer, or someone has to suffer because of the evil of others. Do not rely on your own understanding. Instead, trust God and rely upon Him to cause good to come even out of the pain in life.

So follow the way of good people, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land and the treacherous uprooted from it. Proverbs 2:20-22 HCSB

In my lifetime the way to find travel directions has greatly changed. I can remember when I had a large atlas filled with maps that I would consult to discover the best way to travel to my destination. In due time, I could use a computer to get directions. Next came the GPS that I put on my dashboard that gave me specific directions and instructed me where to turn. Now I have several navigation applications on my phone that provide me with exact directions to my destination. Even though technology has improved, there have been times when the GPS or application has delivered me to the wrong place or taken me to a location that is in the middle of nowhere.

This Proverb reminds us to stay on the path of the righteous. To do so we must seek wisdom and direction from God’s Word. The upright are those who choose God’s ways and live with moral excellence. The wicked are selfish and choose evil over good. The treacherous are those who are unfaithful and corrupt; they will be removed from God’s kingdom because they have ignored and abandoned the Lord and His ways.

Challenge: Which path are you on? The path of the righteous and happiness or the path of the wicked and destruction? Stay on the right path and do not get lost. Read God’s Word, the perfect map or GPS, for living and gaining wisdom.

“But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.” Proverbs 1:33 HCSB

My father-in-law lives in a neighborhood that is going through a transition. The surrounding area is not as safe as it has been in years past. As a Christmas gift, we participated with my wife’s siblings and their families to have an alarm system installed in an effort to increase my father-in-law’s security and safety in the event of an emergency.

Solomon encourages those who are reading the Proverbs to listen and do what is suggested so they can be secure and free of fear. The Hebrew word that is used for securely is “batach,” which means a place of refuge. Refuge is a place where one can feel secure and also have feelings of trust. Biblical wisdom comes from God. When we listen to God and follow His instruction we can live securely without any fear. This does not mean believers will be free from troubles, but we can be secure that God only wants what is best for us and He can take the bad and make good from it. Believers also have the security of knowing they will someday spend eternity in heaven.

Challenge: Just as the insurance commercial says, “You are in good hands with …” you are secure in the good hands of God. Follow His instruction found in the Bible and you can be assured you will find refuge and peace.

“Throw in your lot with us, and we’ll all share our money” – My son, don’t travel that road with them or set foot on their path, because their feet run toward trouble and they hurry to commit murder. Proverbs 1:14-16 HCSB

As a student pastor I witnessed many teenagers who were enticed and followed the road of peer pressure. It is hard to resist the pressure of friends encouraging one to participate in an activity. They promise fun and fulfillment but it often brings pain and destruction. We all want to be accepted and be a part of the group. Many will do just about anything to be included and feel accepted.

Solomon warns that when one feels the pressure to follow the crowd he should run the other direction because that road will only lead to destruction and death. One should study God’s Word and seek God’s direction in life to resist the temptations that often comes from acquaintances.

Challenge: The music group Casting Crowns has a song titled “Slow Fade” that says, “Be careful little eyes what you see; Be careful little feet where you go; Be careful little ears what you hear; Be careful little lips what you say; Black and white turns to gray; When you give yourself away there is a price to be paid.” Peer pressure is like quicksand or a sink hole that opens up and pulls you in. Before you know it, you are trapped and can not get out. Listen to the song on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk

Listen my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching, for they will be a garland of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 HCSB

I am very fortunate to have grown up in a home with a godly mother and father. My father was a pastor and I was at church every times the doors were open. Not only did they take me to church where I learned about God and His love, they taught me godly principles at home and modeled the type of life I should live.

Solomon is commending all sons (and daughters) to listen and follow the instruction of his or her parents. This reinforced the principle of the family teaching Biblical wisdom as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The fifth commandment tells us to “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12). A lifestyle of wisdom based on Biblical teachings from parents will be as valuable as a garland of grace or a gold chain. Both were symbols of honor.

Challenge: If your parents are still living and set a godly example for you, give them a call and tell them how much you love them and appreciate the way they taught you to live a life based on Biblical principles. Thank God for influential parents.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 HCSB

At times through the years my children have accused me of being a “Know-It-All”. When my children were young, they would sometimes respond with the age old question of “Why?” which would evoke my response of, “Because I said so.” As a joke, my children gave me a driver’s license that has a picture of Albert Einstein on it. The implication was that I thought I was as smart as Albert Einstein.

Nobody likes a “Know-It-All,” who tends to be a person that is closed minded and thinks he is the only one who is right. Solomon calls that type of person a fool who despises wisdom, learning, and discipline. A wise person fears the Lord and seeks wisdom from God. Realistically, God is the only One who “knows it all.”

Challenge: Fear the Lord. Only God can provide true wisdom. God is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Discipline yourself. Don’t be a “Know-It-All.”

A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance – for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles. Proverbs 1:5-6 HCSB

When I was a young student, sometimes I got in trouble for talking instead of listening. Once I was sent to the principal’s office for not raising my hand and talking without permission. The teacher was teaching me the importance of listening and waiting until I was called upon to talk. I once heard someone say, “When I am talking, I am not learning.” It is important to listen if we are going to learn and gain wisdom.

Solomon said that a wise man will increase his learning by listening. The man who listens and discerns what is right will gain guidance and direction. Wisdom is the knowledge and ability to make right choices. The Explore the Bible Quicksource teaching resource says, “Wisdom involves choosing to live by God’s commands; knowing and applying God’s truth; practicing discipline; living with integrity;accepting instruction; listening well; and being a lifelong learner.”

Challenge: Be a wise person and listen well. Listen to the wisdom you can find in God’s Word. Wisdom is a worthy goal. It will help you to make right choices that will give you a life that honors the Word of God.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel. For learning what wisdom and discipline are, for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man. Proverbs 1:1-4 HCSB

I wish I knew what I know now when I graduated from seminary. Experience is one of life’s best teachers. Wisdom is gained through the personal experience and teaching of others. Perhaps I will someday write a book entitled, “Everything I Wish I Had Learned in Seminary.”

In Matthew 11:19, Jesus said, “Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Romans 11 speaks of the depth of riches in both the wisdom and knowledge of God. Jesus speaks of the wisdom of the man who built his house on the rock in Matthew 7. The Bible is filled with words of wisdom.

Solomon, the son of King David, asked for wisdom when God said He would give him whatever he wanted. God blessed Solomon with great wisdom. The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon and contains a collection of deep spiritual insights drawn from his experience. A proverb is a short, wise, easy-to-remember saying that calls a person to action. Proverbs provide some practical suggestions for effective living.

Challenge: Looking for answers? Looking for meaning in life? Seek wisdom by reading God’s Word. You can find wisdom through a submissive, loving relationship with God.