A Dry Morsel – Daily Inspiration P. 224 - Supernatural Truth in Christ

Proverbs 17: King James Bible

A Dry Morsel – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter seventeen, Verse 1

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Daily Inspiration from These Verses – A Dry Morsel

This simple verse can be taken to all kinds of diverse depths in meaning. This is a call to another verse that we touched on in Proverbs 16, which spoke about it being better to have a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.

Very similar, but this isn’t about what we have or don’t have like the aforementioned verse does. This (in my view) is centered around peace of mind.

There is a lot to be said about having peace of mind, as well as a clear conscience. Though similar, these two items are not the same. To say that a dry morsel is better in peace than a feast with strife is quite an understatement.

The verse on its face gives you the thought of a house full of feasting, and everyone in the house is quarreling and going nuts at each other. That’s the picture I get anyways.

In a situation like that, how can you enjoy what it is that you’re eating, regardless of the quality of the food? How can you be peaceful or content, when you’re on guard, or constantly looking over your shoulder? You can’t.

But when you’re in a more peaceful setting, you can let your guard down, and pay attention to what you’re doing (or eating) without extra stresses being involved. On the surface of this verse, that is what I get out of it.

Now, as I said above, this verse can go much deeper into our lives, and be used for a variety of situations. Such as:

Being still and knowing God is God, rather than being too busy minded to pay attention to the Lord.
Doing what is right with a clear conscience, rather than doing things that cause you to harbor a guilty conscience.
Having your house in order, rather than it being in a shambles.
Being diligent to do right, rather than complacency building up to come back and bite you.

I think you get the idea with those four examples. We can attribute this verse to how we do things, how we take things emotionally, how we operate around others, and how we are with the Father.

Though I’ve found through the years, that when we apply a verse from any book of the Bible at a spiritual level, it makes an impact in our lives on a physical level. Funny how that works.

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention, that wickedness works in just the opposite manner. Wickedness comes from the outside in, which is how it can rob us of our peace.

Quiet is better, particularly when with the Lord.

Related New Testament Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4: King James Bible

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Philippians 2: King James Bible

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

1 Timothy 2: King James Bible

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Hebrews 9: King James Bible

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

James 3: King James Bible

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you as always, for your Word and your Holy Spirit to guide us as we venture through it. For those of us who lack peace, please shed upon us your peace, that surpasses all understanding. Give us your peace, as we weather out the storms that come in and out of our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen

Question

Wouldn’t you trade a steak dinner with your nerves tied in a knot, for a dry morsel with peace of mind?

1 thought on “Daily Inspiration from Proverbs 17 P. 224 – A Dry Morsel”

George Sheehan

September 21, 2017 at 12:54 am

Thanks Brian…you really hit the nail on the head here. I grew up in a family of constant strife and turmoil. I would try to find a quiet place to read, but that is short lived with people who like to annoy you. We had a lot of wood around when I grew up, and going into the woods for long periods of time was like a tonic. Funny how the Lord called me to repentance, but none of them had a clue. Being adopted into the Lord’s family was terrific, and He blessed me with my wife, Mercy, and our 3 children. Peace and quiet, being helpful and supportive of one another, a real family…at last!! Yes, the Lord always works things out, for or benefit…Amen.

Daily Inspiration from Proverbs 17 P. 224 – A Dry Morsel