Month: February 2021

Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:26Isaiah 27–28II Peter 1–3Psalms 39 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:26) As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,     so are sluggards to those who send them. Meditation The proverbs we look at in depth each day are but a selection from the entire book of Proverbs. Naturally, I selected proverbs that have made an impression on me over the years. Since I struggle with laziness, it’s not surprising to find that today’s proverb is another one that looks at the problem of sluggards. Proverbs 10:26 says, in the NRSV, “Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:20Isaiah 25–26I Peter 4–5Psalms 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.…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:19Isaiah 23–24I Peter 1–3Psalms 37 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:19) When words are many, sin is not absent,     but he who holds his tongue is wise. Meditation Proverbs 10:19 is one of the first proverbs that I memorized: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” I memorized it, of course, because it was one of the first verses that the Holy Spirit highlighted to me. I was cut to the heart. It impacted me, staying in my mind and memory. I’m a wordy person. I can talk a lot. I…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:18Isaiah 21–22Romans 15–16Psalms 36 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:18) Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips     and spreads slander is a fool. Meditation Proverbs 10:18 is another proverb that can be understood somewhat differently depending on the translation you use. The New International Version says, “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.” The New Revised Standard Version says, “Lying lips conceal hatred, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” These translations are similar, but there are also some different nuances. As anyone who has studied another language knows, languages don’t perfectly overlap. One language may…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:17Isaiah 19–20Romans 13–14Psalms 35 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:17) Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,     but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Meditation Today’s proverb is one of those that can be interpreted in different ways, so your view of what God is saying to you will differ depending on the translation you read. When I read the proverb this morning, I was reading the New Revised Standard Version. Proverbs 10:17 said, “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.” Straight-forward enough. I spent time meditating on rejecting…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:12Isaiah 17–18Romans 11–12Psalms 34 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:12) Hatred stirs up conflict,     but love covers over all wrongs. Meditation Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening! Or, good night, too, if you prefer. 🙂 Proverbs 10:12 says “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” This is not one of those more obscure proverbs that we have to puzzle over: the meaning is simple and easily grasped. I am reminded of I Corinthians 13:5 where we are told that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” As believers, we want our actions to be loving. The contrast…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:11Isaiah 15–16Romans 9–10Psalms 33 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:11) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,     but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Meditation The book of Proverbs pays a lot of attention to our speech. The power of words, for good or evil, is a recurrent theme. We see it at work in today’s proverb from chapter 10, verse 11: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” In this proverb, we see the life-giving impact of the words of the godly as contrasted…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 10:9Isaiah 13–14Romans 7–8Psalms 32 Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:9) Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,     but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Meditation Good morning, and welcome to February — or to your second month (should you have begun this plan on a date other than January first). 🙂 As believers, we want to be people of integrity. So, what does that mean? We’re so familiar with the word integrity that we sometimes struggle to define it. I had to laugh when I read The Urban Dictionary’s definition of integrity. They said, “Doing the right thing even…

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