A Heart Sorrowful Even in Laughter - Proverbs 14:13

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “there is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”, and in chapter fourteen and verse thirteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “even in laughter the heart is sorrowful” where we read,

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

The verse begins, “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;” Solomon began with the words, “even in laughter” or “also, indeed and moreover while laughing, mocking and sporting in merriment” “the heart is sorrowful” which means “the soul, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections exists as in pain, sore, hurt and made sad”. Solomon shared how “laughing in merriment” does not hide the sadness and sorrow that is within a person's soul and mind.

The verse goes on to say, “and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” Solomon continued with the words, “and the end” or “and the after part, latter time and hinder-most reward” “of that mirth” which means “pertaining to that joy, gladness and happiness” “is heaviness” or “exists as grief and sorrow”. Solomon said the latter result of a person who “laughs” but inwardly is really in pain and sad is to continue in their grief and sorrow.

When we meditate upon Solomon's words in this verse, we see how the merriment of a person on the outside is not always indicative of what is happening within their soul. Many people are troubled, fearful and sad inside but appear to be happy with laughter to others. God knows us, the real us, and He knows we need a “Savior and Lord” because sin dwells within us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us His eternal “joy” that shall remove all sadness and sorrow that is hidden from others through “laughter”.

Next time Solomon says, “the backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

A Way that Seems Right - Proverbs 14:12

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twelve of Proverbs Solomon said, “there is a way which seems right unto a man” where we read,

There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The verse begins, “There is a way which seems right unto a man, ...” Solomon began with the words, “there is a way” or “there exists a path, journey, traveled road, habit, course of life and manner” “that seems right” which means “that has the presence, surface and face of being straight, upright, correct, fitting and proper” “unto to a man” or “to a person whether male or female”. Solomon shared how there is a course of life that has the appearance of being correct and fitting to a person.

The verse continues, “... but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Solomon added the words, “but the end thereof” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the after part, latter time or future and hinder-most portion” “are the ways of death” which means “exists as the path, journey, traveled road, habit, course of life and manner belonging to pestilence, ruin and dying”. Solomon said although the path and journey of a person appears to be correct, the after part and future of that path and journey leads a person to ruin and “death”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how there exists a course of life that appears to be the correct one, however, the completion of that path leads to ruin and destruction. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father, but by me” (See John 14:6), and although other paths to God may “seem” to be correct because they do not have immediate consequences, there is only one path according to Jesus to have a personal relationship with God. Jesus was sent into the world by His Father God to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and walk with the company of God's Holy Spirit to guide them to eternal life. All other paths may “seem right”, but their “end” will be destruction, ruin and eternal separation from God. (See Matthew 7:23; 25:41)

Next time Solomon says, “even in laughter the heart is sorrowful”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Overthrown House of the Wicked - Proverbs 14:11

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy”, and in chapter fourteen and verse eleven of Proverbs Solomon said, “the house of the wicked shall be overthrown” where we read,

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

The verse begins, “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown:” Solomon began with the words, “the house” or “the dwelling place, habitation and abode” “of the wicked” which means “belonging to people who are criminal, guilty of crime, evil and hostile to God” “shall be overthrown” or “will be exterminated, annihilated, devastated and destroyed”. Solomon shared how the dwelling place of people who are criminal and evil will be devastated and destroyed.

The verse goes on to say, “but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” Solomon continued with the words, “but the tabernacle” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the tent, dwelling, home and habitation” “of the upright” which means “belonging to people who are straight, correct, right, pleasing, fitting, proper, just and proper” “shall flourish” or “will bud, sprout, shoot, bloom and blossom”. Solomon said the dwelling place of people who are straight, right and proper will bloom and blossom.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how there is a difference between the keeping of the homes of people who are evil and hostile to God and the dwelling places of people who are right and just. God wants our homes to “flourish” and blossom, and He desires that we be among the people who live in a just and right manner. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us by His Holy Spirit to live in a just and right manner so our homes will be blessed and we shall “flourish” in the world.

Next time Solomon says, “there is a way which seems right unto a man”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Heart Knows It's Bitterness - Proverbs 14:10

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor”, and in chapter fourteen and verse ten of Proverbs Solomon said, “the heart knows his own bitterness” where we read,

The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.

The verse begins, “The heart knows his own bitterness;” Solomon began with the words, “the heart knows” or “the soul, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections discriminates, perceives, distinguishes and discerns” “his own bitterness” which means “the person whether male or female's own personal trouble and misery”. Solomon said the soul, mind and will of people understand and perceive the personal trouble and misery that is within them.

The verse continues, “and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.” Solomon added the words, “and a stranger” or “and an estranged person, alien or foreigner” “does not intermeddle” which means “in no way or manner shares or occupy” “with his joy” or “by the use of his, the person's, mirth, gladness, gaiety and pleasure”. Solomon said a person who is a foreigner to the person who knows their own trouble and misery in no way shares in the level of their gladness and pleasure.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the soul and mind of a person is well aware of the trouble and misery that is in their lives, however, no one shares in the gladness and pleasure within them as well. God knows us intimately, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and be with us by His Holy Spirit in our trouble and in our “joy”.

Next time Solomon says, “the house of the wicked shall be overthrown”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Fools Make a Mock at Sin - Proverbs 14:9

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit”, and in chapter fourteen and verse nine of Proverbs Solomon said, “fools make a mock at sin” where we read,

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor.

The verse begins, “Fools make a mock at sin:” Solomon began with the word, “fools” or “people who despise wisdom, mock when guilty, are quarrelsome and licentious” “make a mock at sin” which means “scorn, talk arrogantly and boast at missing the mark, error, wrong, trespass and fault”. Solomon shared how people who are quarrelsome and licentious talk arrogantly and boastfully toward fault, error and wrong.

The verse continues, “but among the righteous there is favor.” Solomon added the words, “but among the righteous” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover alongside people who are right, just, correct and lawful” “there is favor” which means “there exists acceptance, delight, pleasure and desire”. Solomon said delight and pleasure exist with people who are just, lawful and correct.

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how people who are arrogant, quarrelsome and licentious scorn at sinful behavior, however, people who conduct themselves in a lawful and correct manner receive acceptance and pleasure in their lives. God wants us to view “sin” like He does. He hates sin because it always produces death in a person. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, God presented a way by which people can be saved from their sins. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us by His Holy Spirit “among the righteous” where we shall receive His “favor” and grace for all eternity.

Next time Solomon says, “the heart knows his own bitterness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Wisdom of the Prudent - Proverbs 14:8

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge”, and in chapter fourteen and verse eight of Proverbs Solomon said, “the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way” where we read,

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

The verse begins, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way:” Solomon began with the words, “the wisdom” or “the skill, shrewdness and prudence” “of the prudent” which means “belonging to a person who is crafty, shrewd and sensible” “is to understand his way” or “is to discern, consider and perceive the person whether male or female's road, distance, journey and manner”. Solomon shared how the skill of a person who is shrewd and sensible is to discern and consider their path and journey.

The verse goes on to say, “but the folly of fools is deceit.” Solomon continued with the words, “but the folly of fools” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the foolishness and silliness belonging to people who are stupid, dullards, simpletons and arrogant ones” “is deceit” which means “exists as treachery, falsehood and subtlety”. Solomon said the silliness belonging to people who are dullards and arrogant exists as treachery.

When we think through Solomon's words in this verse, we discover the value of using the skill and shrewdness provided by Jehovah God to discern and perceive the path we are traveling on. If we, however, act as simpletons and exhibit arrogance, our path will be false and treacherous to us. God wants us to “examine ourselves” (See 1 Corinthians 11:31), and when we consider our path, we should remember that He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Our response should be to humble ourselves before Him, repent of our sins and receive Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”. We should desire to be wise and “prudent”, and should we examine ourselves and find that we act foolishly and arrogantly, let us turn to Jesus who will not only forgive us, but also fashion us to be wise like Him.

Next time Solomon says, “fools make a mock at sin”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".