Bible: daily devotion of 21 July

Devotional writing:
Proverbs 21: 7-8 (KJV):
7 The robbery of the wicked will destroy them; because they refuse to judge.
8 The way of man is bizarre and strange: but as regards the pure, his work is right.

Proverbs 21: 7-8 (AMP):
7 The violence of the wicked will wipe them out, because they refuse to do justice.
8 The path of the guilty is extremely crooked, but as far as the pure is concerned, his work is right and his conduct is right.

Designed for the day
Verse 7 - Since the wicked know what is right but refuse to do it, their own violence will wipe them out. Whoever lives by violence perishes for it. Each one reaps what he sows (Galatians 6: 7-9). Whatever we "plant" will grow to produce a crop. When we choose to follow our old nature (to sow on our flesh), our words and actions do not produce lasting benefits and lead to death. If we choose to walk (or sow) towards the Spirit, our words and actions will produce eternal life and reward. If we invest in God's work, one of our rewards will be that we will meet people in heaven who we have helped to know the Lord. This passage also tells us not to tire of doing well, since we will collect in time if we do not pass out.

Satan tries to discourage us when we see the wicked prosper and it seems that our prayers are unanswered. But we must keep our eyes on Jesus and his promises, not on our circumstances. This is what faith is: to believe in the truth of God and not allow Satan to rob our trust in Him. “I have seen the wicked in great power and it is spreading like a green laurel tree. Yet he died, and, behold, he was not: yes, I looked for him, but he was not found. Mark the perfect man, and here is the righteous one, because that man's end is peace "(Psalm 37: 35-37).

Verse 8 - Those who are smart are always looking for ways to hide their mistakes. Their ways are twisted and elusive. Honest people are simple, unpretentious. Their job is exactly what it should be; there is no deception. Man is crooked by nature. We all try to hide our sins and mistakes. We cannot change until we receive God's forgiveness. By receiving Jesus in our hearts, we become pure in the eyes of God. All the privileges of the children of God become available to us. The Holy Spirit purifies our thinking. We no longer desire our old life. The evil we once loved, now we hate. It is a marvelous miracle that God can make us pure and good like Him!

Psalm 32:10 tells us that the wicked will have many pains, but those who trust in God will be surrounded by mercy. The last verse of Psalm 23 also speaks of mercy and has always blessed me: "Certainly goodness and mercy will follow me for all the days of my life ..." I wondered why this Scripture spoke of goodness and mercy as follows, rather than guide us. The Lord has shown me that goodness and mercy are always behind us to capture and gather us when we fall. When do we need the goodness and mercy of God? After we made a mistake and we fell. When we trust in God, He is right there to help us so that we can continue walking with Him. God precedes us and is behind us and everywhere. How great is his love for us!

Devotional prayer for the day
Dear Father in Heaven, I love you so much. You have been so good to me. Thanks for your mercy and kindness towards me over the years. I did not deserve your great patience with me, but I am grateful that you were there for me every time I fell and every time I disappointed you. Thank you for having collected, forgiven and washed me for leaving me again on that narrow path where my negligent feet are lost. Help me to be merciful, like you, to those of my life who need your mercy through me. Give me the grace not only to forgive them, but to love them as you have loved me. I ask in the name of your precious son, Jesus. Amen.