Memory Verses

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2 KJV

³ To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 KJV

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 KJV

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 KJV

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Solomon. Also called Jedidiah. Was, according to the Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, Quran, and Hadiths, a fabulously wealthy and wise king of the United Kingdom of Israel who succeeded his father, King David.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Proverbs 20 – 22

Proverbs 20 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 21 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 22 Amplified Version (AMP)

From Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Here is, 1. The mischief of drunkenness: Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging. It is so to the sinner himself; it mocks him, makes a fool of him, promises him that satisfaction which it can never give him. It smiles upon him at first, but at the last it bites. In reflection upon it, it rages in his conscience. It is raging in the body, puts the humours into a ferment. When the wine is in the wit is out, and then the man, according as his natural temper is, either mocks like a fool or rages like a madman. Drunkenness, which pretends to be a sociable thing, renders men unfit for society, for it makes them abusive with their tongues and outrageous in their passions, Prov. 23:29. 2. The folly of drunkards is easily inferred thence. He that is deceived thereby, that suffers himself to be drawn into this sin when he is so plainly warned of the consequences of it, is not wise; he shows that he has no right sense or consideration of things; and not only so, but he renders himself incapable of getting wisdom; for it is a sin that infatuates and besots men, and takes away their heart. A drunkard is a fool, and a fool he is likely to be.. (Proverbs 20:1)

Note, 1. Even the hearts of men are in God’s hand, and not only their goings, as he had said, Prov. 20:24. God can change men’s minds, can, by a powerful insensible operation under their spirits, turn them from that which they seemed most intent upon, and incline them to that which they seemed most averse to, as the husbandman, by canals and gutters, turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, which does not alter the nature of the water, nor put any force upon it, any more than God’s providence does upon the native freedom of man’s will, but directs the course of it to serve his own purpose. 2. Even kings’ hearts are so, notwithstanding their powers and prerogatives, as much as the hearts of common persons. The hearts of kings are unsearchable to us, much more unmanageable by us; as they have their arcana imperii—state secrets, so that they have great prerogatives of their crown; but the great God has them not only under his eye, but in his hand. Kings are what he makes them. Those that are most absolute are under God’s government; he puts things into their hearts, Rev. 17:17; Ezra 7:27. (Chapter 21:1)

Here are two things which are more valuable and which we should covet more than great riches:—1. To be well spoken of: A name (that is, a good name, a name for good things with God and good people) is rather to be chosen than great riches; that is, we should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name than that by which we may raise and increase a great estate. Great riches bring great cares with them, expose men to danger, and add no real value to a man. A fool and a knave may have great riches, but a good name makes a man easy and safe, supposes a man wise and honest, redounds to the glory of God, and gives a man a greater opportunity of doing good. By great riches we may relieve the bodily wants of others, but by a good name we may recommend religion to them. 2. To be well beloved, to have an interest in the esteem and affections of all about us; this is better than silver and gold. Christ has neither silver nor gold, but he grew in favour with God and man, Luke 2:52. This should teach us to look with a holy contempt upon the wealth of this world, not to set our hearts upon that, but with all possible care to think of those things that are lovely and of good report, Phil. 4:8.(Chapter 22:1).

Reflection

Proverbs 22:1 states that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold (KJV). If you think about it, you are in the lineage of Jesus when you accept Him as Savior. In this case, you inherit a good name no matter what marks or blemishes your own name may have had before that time. Jesus has the ultimate good name, having done no sin – which allowed Him to be a perfect atonement for your very life.

When I think of the name Jesus, I am reminded that there is no other name given among men under heaven whereby one can be saved. Salvation is not a college exam, a job interview, or an inquisition – all of which require mental strain. Salvation is free and liberally given to all who ask for it. It does not matter where you come from, who you are, or where you are going. You can call upon the name of Jesus and receive life abundantly.

Why do believers say that Jesus is the sweetest name they know when generally, a person’s favorite word is his or her own name? Dale Carnegie said, “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” Eric Lutz writes,

The name of Jesus is significant because of who it represents—it means “God our Savior.” Jesus Christ is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:22–23). He came to earth as a man in order to die in our place and become our Savior. This is why the angel said, “[Y]ou shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The name of Jesus reminds us about the amazing humility of the Son of God when he came as a man to die. As his followers, we must also strive to show the same selfless humility that Jesus demonstrated while on earth:…

The truth is that you had a relationship with Jesus before you ever came to know Him in this life – because you are not merely human. French philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said it best, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” You are a Spirit, in a body, having a human experience. Your Spirit bears witness to the holiness of Jesus and His rite of passage on your behalf.

If you spend time praying to Jesus, you may feel your connection to God and find yourself teary-eyed as you are caught up in His presence. It is often not something that can be explained in words. You have to experience it. There truly is something about the name of Jesus.

References

« The Amplified Bible
« The King James Bible
« Matthew Henry’s Commentary

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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.

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