Proverbs 17 – if you haven’t read my thoughts on the book of Proverbs yet, you’ll want to do so here. This isn’t a comprehensive look at each verse, but it is how God spoke to me through particular chapter of His Word at this particular chapter in my life. I encourage you to read the full chapter in your own Bible first so you can see how God wants to speak to you through this chapter, and so you don’t miss out on the verses I didn’t cover. I hope it can speak to you as well, and I hope you are encouraged to seek Him in His Word. And if you missed Proverbs 16, you should also check that out here. Otherwise, on to Proverbs 17!
17:1 – Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting – and conflict (NLT). Prayer – God, keep me from bring conflict into my home.
17:3 – Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart (NLT). And sometimes that testing can feel like fire when our hearts have thought and done wrong. But God is always gentle with us in the end to convict us as He makes our hearts and actions more pure, sanctifying us the longer we walk with Him. Prayer – God, thank You for the power of Your Word, and for loving me enough to test me and make me better.
17:6 – Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, while the glory of children is their ancestors (CJB). No matter how much we would like to think otherwise, we are where we are today, because of our ancestors. Our God is a God of generations, and He is still answering the prayers of our parents, our grandparents, our great-grandparents, and so on. It goes back all the way to Abraham, the father of our faith. We would not be where we are today if it weren’t for Abraham’s faith in God. Prayer – God, let me not forget the foundation that those who have come before me have laid. Help me continue to build on that foundation so my children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and every heir after me would know that You are the One true God. Bless them because of who You are. Thank You for Your love and blessing to all of the generations before me and after me.
17:16 – Why does a fool have money in His hand with no intention of buying wisdom? (CSB) Prayer – God, show me what wisdom to buy, and what knowledge to invest in. Help me steward well the resources You have given me.
17:10 – A rebuke makes more impression on a person of understanding, than a hundred blows on a fool (CJB). When we don’t listen to rebuke, we give in to becoming fools. Prayer – God, teach me how to take rebuke and correction gracefully, and teach me how to apply it to my life.
17:19b – Anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster (NLT). We have to actively pursue peace and protection in our homes. We cannot merely set up a few high walls of boundaries and guidelines and then never guard the city, or check on the walls. Keeping our homes safe and peaceful is active duty. Prayer – God, show me how to keep peace in my home. Give me the courage to stand up against those who would try to steal peace from my home.
17:22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength (NLT). Prayer – God, help me to be cheerful for those who need it, and help me to not be negative about everything around me to keep me from wearing out the strength of those around me.
17:24 – A discerning person focuses on wisdom there before him, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth (CJB). A fool does not focus their attention on anything. They look at everything for just a moment. They look to everything else for answers and fulfillment and will find none of it. It seems to me like the old adage, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.’ The fool doesn’t focus on what is in front of them, but looks at everything else, thinking it is better than what they have, and better than focusing their energies on what they have. But the discerning person focuses on the present. They focus on what is in front of them. They don’t get distracted by things that do not apply to them. Prayer – God, keep me laser-focused on what You have before me. Help me discern the next step to take. Keep me from getting distracted by all the exciting or unnerving things in the world around me.
17:27-28 – A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent (NLT). These verses just make me chuckle a little bit. It’s like God is giving us an ‘out.’ Like, ‘hey, at the very least, just don’t talk, and you will look smart.’ And often, for me anyway, staying silent is sometimes the hardest thing to do. Prayer – God, I need Your help in this. Help me to use fewer words. Teach me how to really listen. Keep me from letting my temper flare.
Friend, I have prayed these same prayers over you today. I pray you will be able to listen to correction from those around you and from God’s Word. May you give honor to those who came before you, and express gratitude to God for what He has gifted you. May you have ever narrowing focus on the wisdom God has for you. And may you have the strength to stay silent when you should be silent, and the strength to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Until next time,
– Just a girl pursuing her reflection in the mirror of God’s Word.
Scripture quotations marked (CJB) are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, Copyright © 1998 and 2016 by David H. Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are taken from the Christian Standard Bible® Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.