October 16 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Proverbs 3:13-35:

¹³Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
¹⁴For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
¹⁵She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
¹⁹The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
²⁰By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
²¹My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
²²So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
²³Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
²⁴When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
²⁵Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
²⁶For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
²⁷Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
²⁸Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
²⁹Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
³⁰Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
³¹Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
³²For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
³³The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
³⁴Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
³⁵The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Devotional

There are many good things that are desirable, and men seek after them. Nor is it wrong to possess them; as the necessities, or even the conveniences of life, or natural knowledge and wis­dom, honesty and integrity. These all may be likened unto goodly pearls; but none of these, nor even they all together, enable us to enter the kingdom of God. None can bring us salvation. We must have that true wisdom from above. "If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou under­stand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:4, 5. "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding . . . She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Surely, he who finds this pearl of great price, is willing to sell all that he has, in order to obtain it.

What is this pearl of great price, this wisdom from on high? It is Christ and all his benefits; it is salvation through him; it is heaven with all its glories. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Come, buy without money; hear, and your soul shall live.

Prayer

Our Father, help us to realize that all the treasures of this world are not to be compared in value with that Pearl of great price. May we remember at what price Jesus Christ obtained it for us. And may we surrender ourselves and everything we possess unto him. O God, Thou hast richly blessed us; make us a blessing to many others. Cause Thy kingdom to come; Thy will to be done, and Thy name to be hallowed. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Prov. 3:13-17; Isa. 55:6; 55:1, 3.

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