Proverbs Day 248 (KJV):

Proverbs 24:7-8 (KJV):
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

Proverbs 24:7-8 (AMP):
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate (where the city's rulers sit in judgment).
8 He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

Thoughts for the Day

These verses in Proverbs tell us that those who are fools, and those who desire to do evil, will not be able to stand among those who have the authority to judge them. Verse 7 mentions that a fool will not be able to voice his opinions in the "gate." In Biblical times, the gate of the city was the place where the elders or rulers who presided over the affairs of the city would meet, much like our city counsels today. Many towns were built with fences around them to keep out enemies and the gates to those cities were closed at night so there would be no open doors to intruders. Next to the gates of the city, there was usually a high tower which was not only used as a watch tower, to spot any enemies approaching, but also a place where the elders met. The elders and rulers would view what was coming into the city and also watch the traffic, so as to make good judgments about the city's commerce and well being.

Foolish people do not gain the respect of the wise, so they are usually not candidates for leadership. The reason this scripture says that wisdom is too high for a fool, is because to obtain wisdom, one must humble himself, and fools are so full of pride, they do not do this. They do not want to take the low place, so wisdom is too high for them. Humility is a prerequisite to godly wisdom and knowing God. The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5-6:
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

In Christ we are promised His wisdom. A man is a fool to reject Christ, as we receive not only redemption and righteousness, but we have access to His wisdom and knowledge as well. As Christians we have access to all that Christ paid for on the cross. In Him, we have love, peace, joy, health, provision and victory over all power of the devil! We have access to His mind, knowledge and wisdom. We have access to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are daily growing in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are the special creation of God, as we have been born again and we are a new creation in Him. Old things are passed away and all things become new. This is an awesome thing that the Lord has done for us. When we walk in the spirit and demonstrate His love and power, we could be tempted to glory in how God is using us, but we are admonished to not glory in what we are doing, but rather glory in our God who made it all possible.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31:
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Verse 8 states that those who plan evil will be labeled as mischief makers. Even though it only mentions they are planning on doing evil and does not state that they actually have done evil, they are still marked as being mischievous. Why is this so? Because ultimately they will do evil if they take time to plan it. Nothing is accomplished without a plan, whether it be good or evil. Devising a plan takes time and effort, so those who are mischievous will eventually execute their plans because they have an investment in what they are doing. The devil devises plans against us as well. However, we can offset his schemes and weapons by prayer, and standing against him with the Word of God. There is a scripture in Isaiah that I pray daily and it is the one that says, "no weapon formed against me shall prosper." Notice the word "formed" used in this scripture. When a builder is laying concrete, he first builds "forms" to pour it into. Then the concrete is poured and will become hardened in the shape of those forms. Satan is "forming" plans against us daily, but we can destroy those "forms" before he has a chance to build a stronghold against us. We do this by confessing the Word of God in faith over our lives.

Isaiah 54:17: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Prayer for the Day

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for all of the wonderful things You have done for me. I do appreciate Your wisdom, Your love, Your provision and Your watchcare over my life and my family. I am grateful that no weapon formed against me prospers. Lord, I humble myself before You and ask You to help me to walk in Your ways and not yield to the temptations that the devil would whisper to me. Lord, I especially resist any of his remarks that would attempt to lift me up in pride. Lord, may You always receive the glory for those things that You are doing in my life and this ministry. May You be glorified in all that I do. I ask this in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

---