Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
These two verses show us that they are some things better than having everything we think we need. It first reminds us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and better than having great treasure. Money has been the downfall of many when it comes to a relationship God. We should be content with what we have physically if we have a close relationship with God The next verse goes on to tell us if all we have to eat is herbs instead steak we need to be content and enjoy it in love with one another.This is telling us that pleasant company is far more important at a meal than the food on the table. Happiness is what we are all looking for, not some special food.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
These three verses speak of a condition of the heart. First lets look at the sorrowful part of the heart. It is a broken heart and not only affects the outward look but the inward spirit in a negative way as well. Then the foolish heart believes every foolish thing and feeds on falsehoods. Finally we see those that are afflicted to the point of depression never looking for anything good but only at the dark side. This is a terrible way to live .
If we have a merry heart people see it in our eyes and in our smile and they know we have something special. Because our hearts are right with God we seek to gain more understanding and knowledge. Finally a merry heart sees everything with a positive attitude. Life to a joyous person is always a peaceful lifestyle. The joyous inward condition of a wise mans heart is a perpetual feast of God’s blessings. Real happiness is always determined by the state of the heart.
Proverbs15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
We see by this that hell and destruction are fully known of God. God, also, can see into the heart of man and knows what is in each person’s heart.God even knows the desires of each person’s heart. He knows the desires of our heart before we pray. But He wants us to pray. Just as God knows our hearts He knows the scourer dislikes being corrected and that he will not go to a person of God to get correction. We should always know that God always has what is best for us in His plan and we need to stay close enough to Him to know what it is.
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
This first verse tells that there are two paths we can walk. The first being one that is a broad road and many are they that go on it and these are an abomination to God. The other a narrow road and few they are that travel it and these are the ones God loves. We have to choose to go on one road or the other. The path of righteousness is the path Christian must take. The next verse tells us that forsaking the way truth righteousness leads only to death. In order to get in right with God sin has to be corrected and repented of in order to gain eternal life. We should never complain when God corrects us but learn form the experience and grow to be more like He desires us to be.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Here we learn more speaking in that if we are wise in what we speak people can learn from us the right things to do. If you follow after the foolish you learn all the wrong things to do. in Luke we read in 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” The sacrifice that is made to God by the wicked is an abomination to Him. External acts of worship to God by the wicked are repulsive to God. Our prayers and sacrifices that come from heart changes things because God listens.
We read in Philippians 4:6″Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Also in Romans we see in 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Please attend church somewhere today and let the Spirit of God fill your heart.
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In these verses we see to begin with those that do not listen to anyone because they have no wisdom and are considered foolish. Also because thy have not the wisdom to make good choices to listen to instructions they also waste the illegally gained wealth they have. They wind up lost and undone.
For those that listen to instruction they continue to gain the knowledge and wisdom God has for them. Also because of the wisdom they have they know how to take care of the blessings God has for them. They never have to worry because they know where their treasure comes from and know God will always provide.
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
This first verse reminds us that God is everywhere all the time. It does not matter where we are or what we are doing, whether it is daylight or dark, God is always watching. He sees the good and the bad. He even knows when we speak words that are uplifting or words that tearing down. If we speak with a wholesome tongue we are speaking words of hope. We can speak either life or death over things. When we tell people the good news of gospel it can lead them to eternal life. We should refrain from perverse language because it usually involves lying and that only harms others. With the tongue we speak blessings and curses but let us strive to always speak positive words over any situation we have.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
These two verses have a lot of truth in them. We know it takes two people to have an argument and harsh words being said by one stirs up the other to reply usually in the same way. It is the foolishness of what is said that causes all the problems. screaming and hollering at someone never accomplishes anything.
Again we see that wisdom being used to help us decide what we say helps us control our tone. When we answer someone with a calm voice, even if it did not start way has a way of turning away wrath. It really takes depending on the wisdom and knowledge of God to know how to respond to people in any situation. The book of James teaches well what a weapon the tongue is and how dangerous it can be. We need to ask God daily to guide us in what we say and do.
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
The United States was a great nation for many years because we were founded upon Biblical principles. God blessed America because of its rich Christian heritage. Our country in recent years has gotten away from godly teaching, and we are becoming a reproach. As a nation, we must return to God quickly and God will help us. We also know a good leader will choose Godly people to help take care of things because of the wisdom God has given him. Like wise anyone who tries to tear down a nation the leader will make an example out of them and bring shame upon them. a very familiar verse that goes along with this is:
II Chronicles 7:14 tells us, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Proverbs 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
In this first verse we can see that what we already know from previous scriptures that there is no hope from those that continue to do wickedly. Then in the next verse we see that the fool just no control over what he blurts out because they have not the wisdom an knowledge of God.
I Thessalonians 4:13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
The righteous have nothing to worry about including those that do not want to listen to the gospel message. We know where our hope is even in death, we will gain more than we can ever dream of. As long as we continue to study God’s word and gain the wisdom He has for us we will always have the understanding we need in any situation. Wisdom is quietly preserved in the heart of the wise for the time of proper use.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
