Devotions ~ Thursday 5/4

Proverbs 29:22-27
v22 The man who has a bad temper is always ready to start arguments. He will cause a lot of trouble.
v23 A proud man will become humble. But a humble man will receive honor.
v24 In court, even a thief’s friend becomes his enemy. The thief’s friend promises to God to tell the truth. Then the thief’s friend does not dare to say anything.
v25 If you are afraid of people, then this fear will cause troubles for you. But the person that trusts God is safe.
v26 Many people want judges to help them. But only God deals fairly with everyone.
v27 Good people hate evil people. Evil people hate good people.

Verse 22
Anger is dangerous. A bad temper causes many troubles. We should learn to stay calm.
Verse 23
The proud man wants to be a great man. But God will not allow such a man to become great. See Proverbs 16:18.
But God loves humble people. And God will give honor to them. See Luke 1:51-53.
Jesus was humble. Although Jesus is God, Jesus became a man. And he lived like a servant. He even died like a criminal. But God has given the greatest honor to Jesus. And everyone will know that Jesus is God. See Philippians 2:5-11.
Verse 24
The thief’s friend does not help the thief. When the thief is in court, the thief wants his friend to lie.
In court, the friend promises to God to tell the truth. The friend is not afraid of the court. But he is afraid of God. And this friend remembers that God will punish people who lie.
So, when the lawyers ask their questions, the thief’s friend says nothing.
Verse 25
People will cause many troubles. There are many cruel people. But do not be a coward! God will protect you. Trust in him. See Psalm 91.
Verse 26
Perhaps you trust judges. Perhaps you think that the court will help you. But there are some evil judges. And even good judges sometimes make wrong decisions. So trust God. He is fair with everyone.
Verse 27
Good people and evil people have nothing in common.
Do not suppose that evil people will support you. If you do the right things, then evil people will still hate you.
And do not support an evil man’s scheme. His scheme will be cruel. Or his scheme will be evil. Or his scheme might even be terrible. It will not be a good scheme, because the man himself is evil.
Instead, warn the evil man. He must confess his evil deeds to God. And he must invite God into his life.