July 17, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Have you ever met that person who simply cannot stay out of other people’s business? Or have you ever met that person who enjoys starting trouble or has no problem creating trouble that does not belong to him?
In our text we find such a person. Meddling or creating strife is like taking a dog by the ears, you will get bit.
In the case of our Lord Jesus Christ, we find He came to save sinners. His message was one of salvation by grace through faith. His message was one of repentance and turning to Him for that glorious salvation.
Jesus did always those things that pleased God the Father. Yes, he rebuked the religious zealots and exposed sin for what is was. Yes, He spoke of grace, and mercy, and righteousness, and faith. Yes, He spoke of sin and it’s curse so that men might see their need to be saved.
However, there were people who despised our Lord Jesus Christ and used deceit and trickery and bribery to eventually hang Him on Calvary’s tree not knowing they were guilty.
They were causing trouble that did not belong to them. Eventually it would come back and bite them. In the case of Judas we find great repercussion for his actions.
Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
Judas got involved in the fray being persuaded by his father Simon. He was paid in silver for betraying Jesus. Eventually he realized he was guilty and tried to fix the problem returning the silver, but it was too late.
In despair Judas went out and hanged himself, the rope broke and he fell headlong on the rocks and his body was broken.
Choose your involvement wisely. Sometimes it’s good to get involved.
Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Choose your place of involvement wisely. Choose to do good and refrain from strife that does not belong to you nor create unnecessary strife.
Jesus is our greatest example. Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
