Proverbs 28 – 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 27, you should also check that out here. Otherwise, on to Proverbs 28!
28:1 – The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions (NLT). Prayer – God, help me to not worry and fret over things that will never happen, imagined fears, which aren’t even a realistic threat. Keep me from running away from things you have placed in my path because of a fear of failure or uncertainty. Thank you for supporting me so that I can be bold as lion as I approach each new challenge in life. Keep me steady and grant me courage.
28:3 – A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys crops (NLT). When we manipulate or use others to get ahead of them, we don’t just harm them, we harm ourselves in the process. Like the pounding rain that destroys crops, we destroy our future and their future – sabotaging the subsistence that would have fed our herds and sustained us through the winter into the next season. Using other is not just a simple act that affects the immediate here and now – it changes the entire course of our future, and not in a positive way. Prayer – God, keep me from using others to try and get ahead in life. Show me when I am leaning in that direction and give me the strength and courage to change my course, being patient for you to show me good and honest opportunities that don’t take advantage of anyone.
28:4 – To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them (NLT). We fight not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens (Ephesians 6:12, CSB). When we obey God’s Word, and become doers of the Word, and not merely hearers (James 1:22-25), we are putting out our armor and fighting against the powers of darkness. That is the supernatural power of God’s Word in our lives when we start acting on what we read. Prayer – God, bring your Word to my memory so I can see when and how I can start acting on the words you have given me. Teach me how to put them in to practice.
28:6 – Better to be poor and honest, than to be dishonest and rich (NLT). Honesty is more valuable than money – and trust is purchased through consistent honesty over time, and no amount of money can purchase trust.
28:13 – He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy (CJB). When we try to conceal sin, we will instead continue in it. But, God promises that when we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9) and extend mercy to us. I love this Old Testament picture that carries us on to Jesus and this continued truth in the New Testament. Prayer – God, thank you for your mercy in forgiveness and your grace in offering us eternal life with you in heaven. Show me sin that I need to confess and give me the courage to abandon it and the strength to change my course of direction.
28:19 – A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty (NLT). It is a good thing to work hard, and to work hard at our dreams. However, when we start chasing dreams that are actually empty fantasies, our hard work will amount to nothing but poverty. Prayer – God, show me which dreams I should pursue, and which dreams are empty fantasies. Give me discernment to know where to apply my hard work.
28:20 – A faithful person will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished (CSB). This is an interesting follow up verse to verse 19 (above). Not only should we be hard workers, but faithful in that work. When we are consistent and persevere in our hard work over a long period of time, not just sprinting really hard for only a few weeks, that is when God promises he will reward our hard work, our faithful hard work. Even when the hard work gets really hard, we keep at it. Prayer – God, grant me the perseverance to keep working hard even when it becomes long and tiresome and difficult and unpleasant. Thank you for your promises of blessing when we are faithful in our work.
Friend, I have prayed these same prayers over you today. I pray you will have increased courage and boldness in your life. May you see people for who they are and not what they can get for you. I pray increased perseverance for you when your good and faithful work has seasons of difficulty.
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.