A Place of Refuge

Proverbs, The 14th Chapter (in blue)

 

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

 

He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

 

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

 

Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox. (No cattle, no crops. 14:4, The MSG)

 

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies.

 

A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.

 

Go from the presence of a foolish man when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

 

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

 

Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor.

 

The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.

 

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

 

Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief.

 

The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.

 

The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps. (Don't believe all that you hear, especially about God and Scripture. Research for yourself and find out if it is true and backed up.)



 

A wise-man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.

 

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.

 

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

 

The evil will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

 

The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich man has many friends.

 

He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

 

Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

 

In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.

 

The crown of the wise is their riches, but the foolishness of fools is folly.

 

A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

 

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.

 

I love this! In a world where it seems sometimes there is no place to turn, this assures me that I have a place, a home. "A place of refuge". I don't know about you, but a "refuge" sounds like the perfect place to be. There is demand for me coming at all angles. A lot of the time I just need to get away. I need to defuse before I blow up like a Mt. Vesuvius.

 

There are some that choose to unwind with drugs and alcohol. You know? The "I need a drink" moments. While it is true that drugs and alcohol can cool you off, they are not the answer. Some people turn to food or sex. There are many types of addictions, places, or people you can turn to. But, I have found no other place that gives me such sweet refuge than that of God. Sounds cliché, huh? I am so very serious.

 

Most all of my life I have known God. I chose to give Him my life when I was 9 years old. There have been ups and downs in my relationship with God. At some points, there was utter and total rebellion. I was not on speaking terms with God. Those were THE LONELIEST times in my life. However, without a shadow of a doubt, I can testify to you that EVERY SINGLE TIME I sought refuge and relief in God, I found it! I prayed. I searched His Word. I waited. I prayed. I searched His Word. He was there with open arms and He let me sit in His lap and just cry it out. God is way more to me than a mythical creature in the sky. He is real. I feel Him. I know Him. And His Word is alive and speaks to me, too. (Hebrews 4:12)

 

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life to turn away the snares of death.

 

In a multitude of people is a king's honor, but in the lack of people is a downfall of a prince.

 

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.

 

A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.

 

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

 

The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death.

 

Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known.

 

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

 

The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.