Proverbs 14  As I read through the proverbs.. to seek out wisdom.. to learn how to walk in the ways of the Lord and please Him in what I do and say..I  have come to realize how much of this is taught in the New Testament.. both by Jesus and by His apostles.  I also have found some that stop me.. and make me think! 

For example, verse 4 "Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the oxen."   Is it talking just about oxen? There is less work when there aren't animals to take care of, but also less profit and provision..  Or is it another way to say that life without wisdom may take less work.. but is also a lot less useful? Hmm.. 

Also, verse 10 "The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy."  There is a truth there.. for we, like Mary, hide things in our hearts.. both sadness and joy at times.  Is this just a wise saying?  Or are we to gain understanding from it?

Another one from this chapter that stands out to me is verse 14 "The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his."  This truth makes me think of people who just cannot cope with the world any longer.. they seem to "have it all".. but...just can't live with it. Suicide has become the way out for many of them.  On the other hand.. to be satisfied with what you have and who you are.. has become a rare thing in our society. We know that it is only in Christ Jesus that we truly find that way... the narrow way that leads to life. May we, like Paul, learn to be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in!

A good proverb to remember is verse 22 "Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good."  O Lord, may we go through our days.. devising good!

One more highlight from this chapter.. verse 30 "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the bones."  Now "passion" in this verse means jealousy or envy.... to be zealous in a bad sense. But "tranquil" can also be translated as "sound".. meaning whole.. healed.. at peace.  This takes me back to the I Peter 3:4 passage from the Bible study on Sunday night.. ".. let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God."  What a beautiful calling we are given.. to have the heart of Jesus.. humble.. at peace.. not anxious or fearful.  It truly is a beautiful adornment.. bringing "life to the body" and to the soul. 

Father in heaven, You have made us and desire us to walk in Your ways.. that we might find life.. abundant and free.. precious in Your sight.  Help us to walk in the Light of Your Word, by the power of Your Spirit at work in our hearts.. in our hearts that belong to the One who gave His life for us. We thank You that we have been given the Living Water that will never run dry.. and the Bread of Life that will satisfy us day by day and hour by hour as we lean on Jesus. We are the branches.. Jesus is the Vine, we abide in You.. may we bear much fruit for Your glory and honor.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.