Scripture Readings
Proverbs 10:20
Isaiah 25–26
I Peter 4–5
Psalms 38
Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:20)
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
Meditation
Although we have been learning of some of the dangers of the tongue, in today’s proverb, Proverbs 10:20, we learn that “the tongue of the righteous is choice silver.” Our speech has power to destroy, but it also has the power to bring life and healing. This is my earnest prayer: that I may have the tongue of the righteous. I pray for the Holy Spirit to sanctify my words. I pray that my words will be Christ’s words, that I may serve him by what I write and say.
The second half of the proverb makes me very sad. In the NIV, it says, “but the heart of the wicked is of little value.” In the NRSV, that I happened to read this morning, it said, “but the mind of the wicked is of little worth.” These are nearly identical: heart versus mind, and value versus worth. But the wording of the NRSV is the one that tugged at me today. The phrase “of little worth” breaks my heart. To think that any human being could be counted as of little worth is tragic — worse, still, because I see it as something the person did to him- or herself.
None of us are righteous apart from God, and apart from Christ. We all were once wicked. Through grace, we are redeemed. But there is an element of choice to wickedness. Those who are wicked make a choice not to reject evil. They choose greed and self-centered goals. God’s grace is all around us; regardless of whether or not one has heard the gospel, we all have the opportunity to embrace wisdom.
Father God, may we always respond to your call of righteousness and wisdom. Through the Holy Spirit, you give us the strength and the ability to be successful in ongoing sanctification — but we still have to choose you and choose to serve Christ. Those who do not know you may also choose wisdom and righteousness. Without knowing the good news, they will struggle and remain enslaved to sin, but your grace abounds. Please reach out to those who choose your goodness but need knowledge of the grace available to us through Christ Jesus. In his name, Amen.
Isaiah chapter 25 is another one that seems like it should have been included in the book of Psalms. The bulk of the chapter is a beautiful hymn of praise to God for his deliverance. I find myself astounded at the resonance with the book of Revelation. Verse 8 says, “He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces….” I remembered these promises in Revelation, but did not realize that Isaiah is the one who first gives us this vision of the New Jerusalem.
Today the Holy Spirit spoke to me. In verse 9b, it says, “This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” I was impressed by this idea of waiting — the longing and the patient waiting for the LORD and for the coming of the New Jerusalem. We have been given so much peace and joy through the Holy Spirit that I often forget that a major part of our faith is waiting on God to completely fulfill his promises. I have waited on God in the past for things that were uncertain in my life. But those things were temporary: they either came to pass or they did not; either way, they were soon no longer part of my life. But waiting on God for the complete redemption of the world is a waiting that may never go away in my current lifetime. And I believe that I need to be more active in this type of waiting.
The very last part of the chapter almost seems like it belongs somewhere else. After the glorious vision of the New Jerusalem, we are told that the Moabites will be brought low. Is this even the same vision? Some commentators see this as a commentary, not on the people of Moab as much as on the god they worshiped. Regardless of interpretation, I still have trouble seeing this as part of the same vision as the earlier part of the chapter. Perhaps I need more time to meditate on this, but for now, it remains an oddity to me.
Isaiah 26 contains several gems of verses — favorites that continue to give comfort year after year. The first is Isaiah 26:3 — “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (I had to memorize it in the King James Version because that is the version I first loved.) Next is Isaiah 26:4 — “Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD GOD you have an everlasting rock.” And finally we have Isaiah 26:19 — “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust.” (Another one where I loved the wording in the KJV.)
This chapter is much like another psalm. A song of praise and victory for “that day” — the day of salvation and the redemption of Israel. It may even be part of the the vision from the previous chapter. Many of the themes are repeated, including the resurrection of the dead mentioned in verse 19.
A couple of verses stood out to me in today’s reading of this chapter. Verse 9b says, “For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” The idea is repeated in the next verse when it says that the wicked do not learn righteousness if they are only shown favor. This certainly adds an entirely new spin on the purpose of judgment! It also adds perspective to any of the trials and suffering we undergo.
I was also struck by verse 12b: “For indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.” Amen, indeed!
In 1 Peter 4, verse 1, Peter says — as an aside — that “whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin.” This is an intriguing idea and one that I must meditate upon further. Is Peter saying that by perseverance in suffering we defeat sin? I think about Peter’s denials of Christ just before the crucifixion. Peter failed there, and he certainly suffered. But after he was restored — did he ever deny Christ again? I think he was finished with that sin. Maybe that was the power of the Holy Spirit, but also maybe, in some ways, that suffering now gives Peter the strength never to make that same mistake again.
Verse 6 is also very interesting, and not one that features much in Protestant theology. Peter says that “the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead.” Perhaps you’re from a Christian tradition that speaks more about the “Harrowing of Hell,” but having grown up with Reformed theology, this is not part of my usual thinking. Basically, some traditions in Christianity believe that Christ went to hell after his death and before his resurrection to bring the gospel to all the righteous who had previously died. Even if you don’t buy into the harrowing of hell theology, this verse at least indicates that God is not unjust. Those who died before Christ came still had the opportunity to respond to the grace He offers, even if we don’t fully understand how.
What particularly strikes me as I read 1 Peter 4 today are verses 10 and 11. Indeed, verse 11 has been increasingly significant to me over the past few years. Verse 10 says, “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” The Scripture continues in verse 11 to say, “Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.”
It is the first half of verse 11 that captures me — the call to speak as speaking the very words of God. It is an exhilarating and terrifying invitation. Perhaps you also have been praying to use your gifts for a purpose that has eternal value. Whenever I read this verse in the past few years, I could feel God calling me to use my writing talent for his kingdom. The call was not just to use this gift, however; it was also a call to not be afraid to use it. Now that I’ve embarked upon this devotional project, verse 11 is a reminder to not be afraid to speak for God as I write.
I pray that whatever your gifts may be, God in His “manifold grace” will enable you to use these gifts as you serve Him.
Peter continues in this chapter to tell us not to view suffering as something “strange.” Suffering is a way that we share in Christ’s sufferings, and it will enable us to better appreciate his glory when it is revealed. Further, if we suffer as a result of our faith, we are blessed. As the chapter concludes, Peter counsels those who suffer to “entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good (v. 19).”
The last chapter of 1 Peter speaks of the need for humility in our dealings with one another as well as humility before God. Verses 6, 7, and 10 are more time-tested gems — from the must-memorize pile of Scriptures. “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I love the promise that the suffering will end and that God Himself will restore us!
Psalm 38 is a song of guilt and repentance. David pleas for forgiveness from God. Interestingly enough, though, David does not specifically ask for forgiveness. He does ask that God not rebuke him or discipline him in anger, and David confesses his sin and his iniquity. After that, he simply waits for the answer from the LORD. Verse 3 describes the physical effects of sin: “There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.” Verse 5 speaks of “my foolishness.” As David waits for an answer from the LORD, his final plea is for God to “make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.” I love this final remembrance that God is our salvation.
Father God, thank you that you save us. We are foolish, and sometimes willfully rebellious, but you chasten us and call us back to you. Sometimes we suffer as a result of our own folly; sometimes we suffer from circumstances outside our control. Help us to continue to do what is good as we patiently and humbly wait upon you.
Father God, we long for the day when the dead shall rise and all tears will be wiped away. We sing your praises now and look forward to the joy to come. Thank you for sending us your Son. We pray in his name, Amen.
First, Kirsty, I want to praise God for your gift of writing, and that you have been called to share your insights with us. The study has revitalized my relationship with the Lord.
Proverbs verse 20 gave me pause. I am thinking it is the evil person’s thoughts that are of no value if they are constantly laced with dangerous unrepentant sin. The individual, however, is still a valued child of God who can be redeemed through a transformation of thought. It is very sad, however, if that person refuses to change or acknowledge their destructive pattern – it makes no difference if they are in a position of power or otherwise – their thoughts are considered of no value.
I found todays scriptures so encouraging. Even Isaiah sings a Psalm of hope and joy! The message of love comes through the comforting versus in both Isaiah and 1 Peter. I want to share Charles Swindoll’s comment – “Jesus’ plan for living may be simple, but it is not easy.” God calls us to disciple – Peter points out the challenges – and we are offered the tools to succeed. God, I praise and thank you that you give us the power to overcome adversity – help me to remember that.
I have a friend, an older woman whose husband married my ex-husband and I, then years later her husband was unfaithful, as mine, and we would email back and forth. My kids were teens and she was helping raise 2 of her grandsons, whose mom died from cancer. We were states away, but for over a year we often emailed and she was always so encouraging and affirmative, with strong faith. She taught me how to be an encourager. As I read I Peter 4:8-11, I am reminded of the power in speaking encouraging words, words of love and affirmation, and that it is a powerful way of serving the Lord that does not take any extra time of mine. Something as simple as noticing a mom, in the grocery store, patiently dealing with an obstinate, whiny toddler, and telling her she’s a good mom and that it gets better. There is power in words, to make a difference in someone’s day andufe, and it springs from the love the Lord has shown us. Lord, help me to not be so focused on myself, that I miss opportunities to be an encouraged to those whom You place in my path.
Thanks for your interpretation Kirsty. I find it very helpful. I too admit I often prefer the language of the kjv.
Most interesting passages.
Kirsty thank you for sharing your insights. You are indeed a gifted writer.
I especially enjoyed reading chapters 25.and 26 .The praise given to the Lord. “I will exult you and praise your name for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things”. And the promise “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal”
I pray that I can take Peter’s instruction to heart- “to be clear minded and self controlled and to be serve others, knowing it is by the provision of God’s strength”