A Wise Builder

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading, titled, A Wise Builder, was written by Linda Washington. Sojourner Truth, whose birth name was Isabella Bombfrey, was born a slave in 1797 in Aesopus, New York. Though nearly all her children were sold as slaves, she escaped to freedom in 1826 with one daughter and lived with a family who paid the money for her freedom. Instead of allowing an unjust system to keep her family apart, she took legal action to regain her small son, Peter, an amazing feat for an African-American woman in that day.

Knowing she couldn't raise her children without God's help, she became a believer in Christ and later changed her name to Sojourner Truth to show that her life was built on the foundation of God's truth. King Solomon, the writer of Proverbs 14, declares, the wise woman builds her house. In contrast, one without wisdom tears hers down. This building metaphor shows the wisdom God provides to those willing to listen. How does one build a house with wisdom? By saying only what is helpful for building others up.

How does one tear down? Proverbs 14 gives the answer, a fool's mouth lashes out with pride. Sojourner had a secure fortress in a turbulent time, thanks to the wisdom of God. You may never have to rescue your children from an injustice, but you can build your house on the same foundation Sojourner did, the wisdom of God. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Proverbs 14 verses 1-3, 26-27, and verse 33.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. A fool's mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. Now picking up at verse 26. Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

And now verse 33. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning, and even among fools she lets herself be known. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we pray that you would make us wise as we build our values, goals, and objectives on a foundation based on biblical truth. When the difficulties of life come, we can know without a doubt that you are our source of all wisdom and truth, and that you will be faithful to lead us through. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.