Devising Evil or Devising Good - Proverbs 14:22

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twenty-two of Proverbs Solomon asked, “do they not err that devise evil?” where we read,

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

The verse begins, “Do they not err that devise evil?” Solomon began with the words, “do they not err” or “do not the people whether male or female wander, go astray, stagger and cause to be misled” “that devise evil” which means “who plow, engrave, cut in and remain in bad, disagreeableness, wickedness, misery and malignancy”? Solomon rhetorically questioned whether people are mistaken and misled who plan and prepare wickedness and misery.

The verse continues, “but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.” Solomon added the words, “but mercy and truth” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover goodness, kindness, faithfulness, pity and firmness, faithfulness, sureness and reliability” “shall be to them” which means “will exist toward people whether male or female” “that devise good” or “who plow, engrave, cut in and remain in pleasantness, agreeableness, excellence and value in estimation”. Solomon said kindness, pity, truthfulness and reliability will come to people who produce that which is pleasant and valuable.

When we meditate upon Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how we make a mistake when we plan to do wickedness and wrong, and we receive pity and reliability when we plan to do what is truthful and right. God wants us to be like Him, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He demonstrated His willingness to be merciful and gracious to us. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to “devise good” and never to be among those who “devise evil” who shall reap from their pernicious ways.

Next time Solomon says, “in labor there is profit”, 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".