Proverbs – Day 28
Scripture: Proverbs 28
The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
A ruler who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.
A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.
Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
will seek refuge in the grave;
let no one hold them back.
The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
To show partiality is not good—
yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
Whoever robs their father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is partner to one who destroys.
The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Devotional:
Inscribed on the wall of the main lobby of the Central Intelligence Agency is a quote from Jesus: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8:31-32) This message serves as a reminder to those who work there that their job is to find the truth in the activities of our country’s adversaries and that doing so will make us free. But how does truth set us free personally?
We can start by looking at what Solomon says in Proverbs 28 about living a life imprisoned by lies. “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (v. 1) Those who live by deceit and selfishness constantly fear the reprisal of others. There is a story that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes novels, played a prank on several of his friends who were prominent men in England. He sent an anonymous note to each one that only said, “All is found out, flee at once.” Within 24 hours, all supposedly had left the country, their guilty consciences convicting them of an imaginary crime! Even if this anecdote is an urban myth, there are many individuals who might respond the same way as they live in fear, the guilt of their misdeeds pressing heavy on their hearts and minds.
Once we know and accept the truth, that our selfishness and poor decisions create problems, how do we get free of the shackles of guilt? Solomon goes on to say “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him.” (v. 13, 17) The solution is simple: admit your guilt and confess what you have done. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (Jas 5:16)
In Proverbs 19, we read how a false witness is essentially a liar. In Proverbs 26, the gossip was also revealed to often be a liar. And both a false witness and a gossip cause conflict and destruction. In this chapter, Solomon teaches us about living a life of integrity in which we listen to our conscience. Walk “in truth” and do not be chained to your guilt.
Key Verse:
“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” ~ Proverbs 28:13
Questions:
- Do you have something weighing on your conscience right now? What should you do to get free?
- How would you respond if someone confessed their guilt to you?
