Month: May 2021

Scripture Readings Proverbs 17:10Ezekiel 11–12Acts 28Psalms 131 Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:10) A rebuke impresses a discerning person     more than a hundred lashes a fool. Meditation Proverbs 17:10 teaches us, “A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.” What a contrast we see here! A quiet word can have more impact than physical force. But effectiveness depends entirely on the person who hears the rebuke or receives the punishment. Are they wise? Or foolish? A hundred lashes is an extreme number. Deuteronomy 25:3 limits the number of lashes that can be given to 40. Even the Romans…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 17:9Ezekiel 9–10Acts 27Psalms 130 Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:9) Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,     but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Meditation Our verse focus today, Proverbs 17:9, says, in the ESV, “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” As the NIV puts the proverb, “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” The second half of this proverb is very similar to the second half of a proverb we looked at just a week ago. On May 3rd…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 17:5Ezekiel 7–8Acts 26Psalms 129 Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:5) Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;     whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Meditation Today’s proverb, Proverbs 17:5, tackles a new subject for us, especially in the second half of the proverb. As the NIV translates the proverb, “Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.” About a month ago, on April 6th (Day 96), we looked at Proverbs 14:31, which says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 17:4Ezekiel 5–6Acts 25Psalms 128 Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:4) A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;     a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Meditation Proverbs 17:4 says, in the NIV, “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.” The ESV is similar, saying, “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” On the one hand, the proverb makes perfect sense. People who are wicked will listen to lies and mischief because it matches what they have in their own hearts. Lies, deceit, gossip, insults,…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 17:3Ezekiel 3–4Acts 24Psalms 127 Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:3) The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,     but the LORD tests the heart. Meditation I love Proverbs 17:3! As the NIV translates it, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” We immediately understand that silver and gold are purified by fire; likewise, God tests our hearts and purifies us by the situations he places us in. We think of silver and gold as valuable, but rarely think of the process that made it valuable and coveted. The raw ore is…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 17:1Ezekiel 1–2Acts 23Psalms 126 Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:1) Better a dry crust with peace and quiet     than a house full of feasting, with strife. Meditation Today’s verse focus is similar to one we looked at on April 14th (Day 104). Proverbs 17:1 says, “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” The proverb we looked at earlier was Proverbs 15:17, which says, “Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.” Both proverbs contrast material wealth against spiritual health. Without the values that make life…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 16:33Leviticus 26–27Acts 22Psalms 125 Verse Focus (Proverbs 16:33) The lot is cast into the lap,     but its every decision is from the LORD. Meditation Our verse focus today, Proverbs 16:33, tells us, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” What a profound statement! God controls even the things that seem random chance. God’s sovereignty is absolute. Nothing is too small for the LORD to notice. Nor is anything so big that He cannot handle it. He knows when sparrows fall; He sees what happens behind closed doors; He controls every…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 16:32Leviticus 24–25Acts 21Psalms 124 Verse Focus (Proverbs 16:32) Better a patient person than a warrior,      one with self-control than one who takes a city. Meditation Proverbs 16:32 says, in the ESV, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” I also like the way the NIV translates the proverb: “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” This proverb offers Biblical wisdom. It is almost the antithesis of what we would naturally believe. We trust…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 16:28Leviticus 21–23Acts 20Psalms 123 Verse Focus (Proverbs 16:28) A perverse person stirs up conflict,     and a gossip separates close friends. Meditation Proverbs 16:28 says, in the NIV, “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” The ESV translation is similar, saying, “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” I looked at the Hebrew words to see if I could gain additional insight. To my surprise, the word being translated as “perverse” in the NIV and “dishonest” in the ESV is actually pretty narrowly translated. Perverse or perversity is the primary…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 16:24Leviticus 19–20Acts 19Psalms 122 Verse Focus (Proverbs 16:24) Gracious words are a honeycomb,     sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Meditation Drum roll… ta dah! Congratulations, all! It’s been one third of a year!!! Thanks and praises to God for His faithfulness in bringing us through so far. Hallelujah! 🙂 Our verse focus today, Proverbs 16:24, says, in the ESV, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” I do like this proverb. However, I would like this proverb better if it simply said gracious words are sweet to…

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