Dave's Diary

Prayer

Almighty God, my heavenly Father, please draw close to me now by Your Spirit, and teach me the wonderful truths of Your Word. Amen.

Reading

Read Proverbs 17 slowly and prayerfully. Notice which verse particularly jumps out at you. Re-read that verse a few times, slowly. Write it down in your journal. Try to memorise it so that you can reflect on it without having to read from the page.

Prayerful Reflection

Now take that Proverb and think about your life at the moment. Is there a situation in your life to which that Proverb applies. Ask the Lord how this verse from His Word is telling you to live out His wisdom in that situation. Make notes in your journal.

A Devotional Thought

Proverbs 16: 
²⁷ Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight. (GNT)

Today’s Proverb convicts me of the need to consider my words very carefully and humbly, and to use them sparingly. It seems that this is particularly important in stressful situations of confusion, disagreement, debate or conflict.

“People who stay calm have real insight.” Somehow it seems the proverb is not so much suggesting that those who have deep insight are thereby enabled to stay calm (although that may also often be true). Rather this proverb teaches us that those who find the grace to stay calm even in stressful situations are thereby enabled to observe more astutely, listen more attentively, observe more honestly, and think more clearly and objectively. Staying inwardly still, calm and quiet clears the mind to perceive the situation more accurately, and to receive Godly insight, wisdom and solutions.

That often feels very difficult, but as believers in Christ, we have the wondrous advantage of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who ministers His deep inner peace to us. So, in every challenging situation today, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to empower us to operate from hearts saturated with His deep peace.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, please grant me Your deep peace today, and may that deep peace keep me calm and focused, even in the most trying of situations. Amen.