April 29 ▪ Day 119

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 16:19
Acts 16
Psalms 119

Verse Focus (Proverbs 16:19)

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
     than to share plunder with the proud.

Meditation

Today’s proverb is an interesting take on the theme of pride versus humility. As the ESV translates Proverbs 16:19, “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.” The word being translated as “poor” in the ESV and “oppressed” in the NIV does mean poor, wretched, weak, needy, and afflicted. The word being translated as “lowly” can also mean humble.

Even though Jesus taught us that the poor in spirit are blessed, no one really desires to be afflicted, needy, or oppressed. Yet the Scripture is telling us here that this condition is more desirable than a victory where you are dividing the plunder. Why? Perhaps because victory is dangerous. We start to think that it was with our own skill that we won; we covet the plunder and think that it is owed to us. The mindset you have toward your defeated enemies might start tainting your other relationships.

Some interpret this verse as the quintessential divide between those who follow Christ and those who love the world. Those who are enticed by the riches that can be obtained through violence or through deceit become enemies of God. God Himself loves and cares for the lowly — the story of the Israelites is the example of this. God took slaves to be His chosen people.

Father God, help us to understand how the poor are blessed. Give us insight to know how dangerous pride is. Help us also to have your heart of compassion for the needy and oppressed. Thank you for how your Scripture teaches us right from wrong. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Acts 16, we read of how Timothy joined Paul and Silas on their second missionary journey. Timothy was of mixed descent; his mother was a Jewess, but his father was Greek. Verse 3 tells us that Paul circumcised Timothy “because of the Jews,” even while he was carrying and communicating the decisions of the church in Jerusalem that the Gentiles need not be circumcised (v. 4).

It seems a little puzzling that Paul did this. We know he is a staunch proponent of the freedom we have in Christ Jesus; in many of his letters he makes a point of teaching that circumcision is not necessary for salvation. It was given as a sign of God’s favor, but after the fact — after the covenant had already been established. So why did Paul decide to do this with Timothy?

I suppose the biggest reason is because Timothy’s mother was Jewish. He would have been perceived as Jewish, rather than Gentile. In I Corinthians 9:20, Paul writes, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.” As a favor, as a convenience, a way to avoid contention — Timothy was circumcised, even though he was already a believer. The circumcision did not grant him salvation, but merely made him more of a Jew to the Jews.

Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia, and so the team heads to Philippi. What I find interesting about this isn’t that Paul received a vision for guidance, but that verses 6 and 7 speak of the Holy Spirit preventing them from going certain places. Verse 6 tells us they were “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,” while verse 7 tells us they were blocked from going to Bithynia. Of course, we can’t know why they were not allowed to go into Asia or Bithynia. “Asia” (Asia Minor) was where the seven churches of Revelation were located — so, clearly, it was a fruitful ground for the gospel. But the timing wasn’t right. Or, the timing wasn’t right for Paul. Perhaps he would have died before writing some of his letters. Died before getting to Rome. Who knows?

My point isn’t to speculate on why Paul, Silas, and the others didn’t go to Asia or Bithynia. Rather, it is that God has plans and ways of doing things that aren’t necessarily what we think is best. We may be headed in a direction that will enable us to fulfill the things that God wants us to do. But it still may not be the right direction even though we would have opportunity to serve God in that direction. But God provided guidance for Paul; He provides guidance for us, too. We just have to ask.

It seems significant to me that the reason Paul and Silas ended up in jail was because of financial loss. By healing the servant girl of the spirit by which she predicted the future, the owners realized that their “hope of gain was gone (v. 19)” and so they seized Paul and Silas and brought them before the magistrates, accusing them of unlawful things. They were able to freely preach the gospel until there was a financial impact. As I recall, this is what upset the folks in Ephesus too (although it will be a couple of days before we get to that chapter). Perhaps it’s always when the gospel threatens how someone makes money that there is the most risk of violent opposition. Love of money — wealth — may just be the biggest idol of them all.

When they were in jail, Paul and Silas sang hymns of praise to God. Most find this fact a bit astonishing. We are not so quick to turn to God in difficult situations, nor do we find it easy to continue to praise when we are in distress. But this is the obvious lesson from Acts 16. There are others as well. There was a violent earthquake. The building was shaken; the doors came open; everyone’s chains came loose. God literally set the prisoners free. And it was done in such a way that no one could mistake Who was freeing them. Talk about a miracle! And one that confirms the message of salvation Paul and Silas were giving!

Of course, as you know the story, Paul and Silas do not take advantage of this freedom. They stay put. And thereby they save the life of the jailer — both from immediate physical death, but also from spiritual death. This is fascinating — that God could free them so publicly, but allow Paul and Silas to stay in jail. It makes me wonder how much fruitful ministry there is for us in the situations that we think we need to leave.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, both by number of words (around 2,445 words — depending on the translation of course) and by number of verses (176). Thus, obviously, it is the longest psalm, too. In this reading plan, I planned to skip the Old Testament reading today in order for you to be able to fully appreciate today’s psalm without your daily reading taking up more time than it typically would for you. Tomorrow, however, we’ll return to reading Leviticus. 🙂

Psalm 119 is also an acrostic psalm; each segment corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Hebrew, every verse in each segment also begins with that same letter of the alphabet. It is a beautiful psalm: an ode to Scripture and the perfection of God’s ways.

There are many verse jewels in this psalm — verses that have been beloved for years, and that are beloved for most believers. Verse 11 and verse 105 both fall into this category. Verse 11 says, in the NIV (the translation I have read most frequently), “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Such an encouragement to memorize and meditate on Scripture! Verse 105 says (again in the NIV), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

There are many themes that run through this psalm. Even though each segment takes a look at one topic, many of the themes run across the entire psalm. One such theme is the importance of meditating upon the Word — verse 11 is the perfect illustration of this theme, but the theme repeats throughout the psalm. Another favorite verse for this theme is verse 18: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” This verse is frequently my personal prayer whenever I start to read the Bible.

Of course since the topic of the psalm is Scripture — or “the law” as the psalmist usually refers to the Word — wisdom cannot help but be one of the constant themes. Verse 99 says, in the ESV, “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” Indeed, meditation is one of the keys to wisdom.

Verse 100 continues the theme of wisdom, but also includes the theme of obedience. As the NIV says, “I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.” Verse 60 is one of the jewels on the topic of obedience: “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”

Another theme is of how God strengthens us through His Word, giving us hope and life. Verse 28 cries, in the ESV, “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” Verse 49 says, “You have made me hope,” while verse 50 continues, “Your promise gives me life.” Verse 114 is another favorite: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”

One theme that you might find surprising is the theme of affliction. Suffering is purposeful as it brings us back to God. Verse 67 says, in the ESV, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” Verse 71 even claims, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Verse 75 emphasizes the goodness of God’s discipline, saying, “In faithfulness you have afflicted me.”

A favorite theme is the plea of the psalmist that God would make him constant and faithful. Verse 5 cries, “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!” Verse 10 prays, “Let me not wander from your commandments!”

Of all the different themes and verse gems, however, my very favorite is the last verse of Psalm 119. The psalmist praises God for His wonderful commandments, promises to faithfully obey, chooses the beauty of God’s law, pleads for help in keeping to God’s ways, speaks of all that he has done to cleave to God’s Word through meditation, prayer, and obedience — but the sum of it all? Verse 176 confesses, “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.”

Father God, thank you for your Word. Thank you especially for the psalms, which teach us how to pray and how to love your commandments. As much as we desire to seek you, though, we do wander and stray. Thank you that you love us and will seek us when lost. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ so that we might truly know you. In his name, Amen.