Week 122, Day 4: In his own sight
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 16:1-33
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Verse 2 tells us that all the ways of a man are clean in his own sight. This verse tells us a lot about the thinking of man. Man does a lot of different things, but how often does he admit to himself that what he is doing is wrong? Often I think we find man rationalizes why what he is doing is okay and not really bad. He tells himself that it is okay to take something because he really needs it or someone else doesn’t really need it. He tells himself that it is okay to lie about something because he really needs for things to go his way. He also tells himself that his motives are true and good when deep down his motives are merely selfish and self serving. No matter how man tries to convince himself he is okay even though he is doing something wrong, God knows his true motives. Man can deceive himself all the time but God sees his heart and his real motives. I do think that this passage gives us another indicator about man’s behavior. Man doesn’t want to admit that he is wrong or doing evil so he will try to cover things up or make excuses. I think man does this often without even thinking about it. It comes so naturally. This is why it is so important to have the help of others. If someone who cares about doing right and cares about us is there to confront us it helps us to admit that we know deep down we shouldn’t be doing that. It helps us to have that extra boost to turn away from those actions and make needed changes. Let us strive to be such a friend.
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Week 121, Day 5: Healing words
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 12:1-28
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The Proverb writer mentions about the power of our words. One person can be very rash in what they say and end up hurting others, vs 18. His words end up cutting like a sword. He is a danger to others! Whoever came up with the saying that “sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me” was being foolish. Maybe that is why you only hear such a statement from children. But although adults don’t usually say such nonesense, by their actions they sometimes show that they forget how harmful words can be. They are rash with their comments and end up slicing someone. What damage our words can cause.
On the other hand the person who is wise brings healing with their words. Whether it is that the wise man knows how to repair the damage done by the rash words or that he knows how to help in any situation the principle is the same. The wise man uses his understanding and knowledge to speak words that build up and encourage a person. He helps them to deal with their hurts and to mend. I think we each can think of someone who this statement reminds us of. That person is a joy to be around and gives us a boost. Which person do we want to be? Does our speech reflect that desire?
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Week 121, Day 3: Never shaken
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 10:1-32
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Chapter 10 begins the chapters that I usually associate with Proverbs. There are a variety of snipets about several different areas of thought. One possible theme for Proverbs, besides talking about what wisdom offers, is to speak about the righteous. Solomon says the rightesou will never be shaken. This is because the way of the Lord is a stronghold to them. Many things come in life, many fears are out there, but someone who walks after the Lord and His way should not fear the whirlwinds of life. The Lord is a strength, a shield, and a source of comfort to the righteous. Why should we worry all day and fret about what may come our way. So if you want to enjoy life and have an everlasting foundation then trust in God. This is a statement based upon some feeling, here we have such stated from a man endowed with wisdom from God. These are the things he stressed and emphasized. Oh that man would listen.
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Week 120, Day 1: And yet he didn’t
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 3:1-35
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
I was impressed by two things in chapter three. They were kind of side points but I would like to share what I was thinking about.
First, how could Solomon depart from serving God for idols? Here he warns his son to trust in the Lord with all his heart. For him to acknowledge God in all his ways and God will make his paths straight. That he needs to honor the Lord from his wealth and God would bless him richly. And yet Solomon, as wise as he was failed. He didn’t finish the race. This is alarming to me. That you can have someone so wise and so adapt at seeing what needed to be done and what was best but yet he did not remain faithful. So many people start the course of seeking God but then are turned aside. And just because someone is smart doesn’t make them imune to falling.
Second, I was thinking about how differently this proverb would sound if man wrote it from his earthly perspective. What man would speak of seeking wisdom and that her gain is better than anything you could desire. I know there have been plenty of men in the past who have been caught up in their knowledge or in seeking to understand more. But I see a difference here between wisdom and knowledge. Solomon speaks to his son about gaining wisdom. There are a ton of people who like to know things and to feel smart but they do not have wisdom. Most men would not word things the same way that Solomon did unless they were influenced and directed in that direction by God’s word. Man of his own “knowledge” tends to be selfish and self centered. I think if man had to write the proverbs they would sound a whole lot different with emphasis on many different sensual things.
Question: What things do you think man would have written about? Keep this “list” in mind as we read through proverbs and see what wisdom from above directs us to do in comparison to man’s thoughts.
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Week 119, Day 3: Praise the Lord
Today’s Reading: Psalm 147:1-150:1-6
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Tomorrow’s reading will be Proverbs 1.
It is very appropriate to have the book of Psalms end with speaking of praising God. Psalm 148 should be familiar to us even if you have never read it before. This psalm is the basis for the song we sing often, “Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah!”. All the earth is to praise the earth. All creation should exalt and lift up His name for mighty and wonderful are His works. What better way to finish out the psalms then by calling for all things to praise and lift up His name. He is worthy.
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Week 119, Day 1: Deliver me
Today’s Reading: Psalm 141:1-143:1-12
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The Psalms of David often involved pleas for deliverance and triumph over enemies. This fits well since David is described as having been a man of bloodshed and who was the one responsible for subduing many of Israel’s enemies. In psalm 143 he writes asking for God to deliver Him. I like how verse 5 states that he remembers the days of old and David meditates on His doings. During turbulent times it is good for us to reflect back on the mighty works of God. David considered the wonderous works that God had already done for His people and he longed for God like a “parched land” (vs. 6). He was longing for God to do for him as He had done so many times before or Israel.
How often I think we feel like David. We long for God’s deliverance and help. We want Him to revive us and bring our sould out of trouble. When we are in distress always remember that God cares for us and will be with us. He will not forsake you.
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Week 118, Day 2: Rest in the Lord
Today’s Reading: Psalm 129:1-131:1-3
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
I think the language used in Psalm131 paints an interesting picture. The psalmist speaks of composing and quieting his soul. He does this like a child composes and quiets himself in his mother. The child gets comfort and strength from the sheltering arms of his mother. We can easily picture such a scene as this. Just like that picture should be the picture of the comfort our soul gains from hoping in the Lord. He is the source of our comfort and to calm our soul. That is such a great picture of care and tenderness. God’s care for His children is a tremendous thing for which we should rejoice and be glad. Come what may let the arms of God comfort your heart and bring you peace.
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Week 117, Day 5: Had it not been so
Today’s Reading: Psalm 123:125-5
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
David speaks in Psalm 124 of how they would have been overcome and overwhelmed by their enemies were it not for the Lord being on their side. I imagined how it might have felt when David was in a battle or just afterwards. David’s army fought against many armies which were greater in number and much stronger. Had it not been for the Lord’s help and deliverance they would have been swept off the battlefield. Can you imagine standing on the field of what would have been sure slaughter and instead you are the victorious one. I picture seeing a whole host of your enemies wiped out and the awe of it all hitting David. Had it not been for God’s mighty hand we would have been destroyed.
Let us remember always the power of our Lord and continue in prayer to seek out His help and guidance.
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Week 114, Day 5: Plea of the Afflicted
Today’s Reading: Psalm 100:1- 102:1-28
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Psalm 102 contains the plea of an afflicted man for help from God. One point that I think makes all the difference in what the psalmist says is in verse 25-28. Considering what all he had endured and gone through would weigh heavily on anyone. And yet the “key” in all of it was to remember who was the one who has alway been the same and who will be the One to continue through eternity. God is the everlasting One. The things of this earth will come and go. They will fade and wear out like a garment. But God is the solid, constant One who we must cling to. So when we feel overwhelmed in life or downtrodden, let us always remember who is the One who will be the solid, constant foundation for us. God is therefore the source of strength for us and will provide life eternal for those who seek Him.
Question: Is there ever a time or situation where God cannot help us? Why do we allow ourselves sometimes to feel like either God doesn’t care or that we are all alone?
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Week 113, Day 3: Stubborn & Willful
Today’s Reading: Psalm 79:1- 81:1-16
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 81 that God’s people did not listen to God and thus didn’t obey Him. Therefore God “gave them over” to the stubbornness of their heart. This sounds like Rom 1:26 & 2 Thes 2:11. Because these people refused to listen to God, He let them suffer the consequences of their decision to reject Him. God didn’t have to save them. The natural course of their stubbornness was that other, stronger nations would come in and prey upon Israel. Without God’s protection and aid the Jews were vulnerable. There are always consequences when people choose to turn away from God. Some people act like life will be more fun if you don’t have to worry about those “thou shalt nots”. But in reality what they gain is not freedom but slavery to sin. God’s commands are given for our good and as a blessing. To reject such guidance means that we are on our own. God does not owe us anything. So the natural recourse to rejecting God is to engage in vile passions and pursue foolish speculations. The result of such will always be pain and suffering. God expresses His mercy by talking about how if the people would change and listen to Him and walk in His ways then He would save them. Oh that man would wake up and come to his senses and see that God is the fountain of living waters.
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