Dave's Diary

Prayer

Lord of Truth, I worship You. In You there is no guile and deception. You are Who You are, eternally. Help me to be like You Amen.

Reading

Read Proverbs 21 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 21: 

²⁹ The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways. (NIVUK)

It seems so many people today are putting on a brave face, pretending to have it all together and to know what we are doing, while truthfully that display of confidence is a clever ruse to cover a deep inner sense of uncertainty or even insecurity. We are living in a “fake it ’til you make it” world.

It’s not that we are all wicked. But the sobering reality is that if we are wearing a mask instead of living in honesty and integrity, being faithful to who we are, then we are not in right relationship to ourselves, let alone to God. In that instance, the Proverb warns us that we are on dangerous ground. The temptation to compromise just to impress others or ingratiate ourselves to them will never be far from us. And “wickedness” will be lurking at the door.

Positively the Proverb calls us to work hard at processing things with the Lord deeply and thoughtfully, and to prepare for each day and each event prayerfully, so that we can relate to others with a deep confidence born out of our intimacy with God. And when we are faced with a task we cannot handle, righteousness will lead us to admit our inabilities and to find a way for the task to get done by someone who can handle it. Everyone will win, and the only “casualty” will be our fake image of perfection.

The Amplified Bible has a lovely rendering of this verse: “A wicked man puts on a bold face, But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].“

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I have pretended to have it all together. Please help me to live from a place of honesty about my failings, and integrity in my efforts to accomplish (in Your power and wisdom) all that you set before me. Amen.