2: A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.

7: A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

A fool delights in expressing his own heart; getting his own opinion out in the open for all to hear. It isn’t that he can’t understand; he doesn’t want to understand. He doesn’t want to hear but to only speak. Therefore his mouth is his destruction.

BUT…..

10: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Not just a name, but THE name of the LORD. The name is salvation; THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. There is power in this name. All other names just identify who the person is. This name is our refuge and strength. Look up…..this name is above all. Do you see the Tower of who He is? He is bigger and grander and more magnificent than any tower human eyes have seen. Human eyes can’t see Him; Spirit filled eyes can.

What else do you notice about this verse? Not everyone runs to this Tower; not everyone calls on the name of the LORD. The ones who run to it are the ones who have experienced their need and His sufficiency. When they go they are at/in the best place on earth, no matter where their physical bodies may be. They are set on high and out of reach of danger; they are safe.

11: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem.

Look at what the rich man has…what his ‘strength’ is. He thinks it is like a high wall; something that will protect him. Instead, it is a false sense of security that will let him down over and over again.

For Today: Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility. (v:12). It is ironic isn’t it? Before a man or woman comes to destruction, they show “arrogant superiority”. They start higher than they belong and wind up lower than they ever thought possible. Before onereceives glory and recognition, they show freedom from pride or arrogance. They start off with the awareness that they are not worthy of the grace of God and therefore make themselves ‘low’ before Him, submitted and yielded to Him. But it is then that God moves them to the place they never attempted to reach on their own….to the high place of honor.

What can you take from these verses today and use in your own life?