Month: July 2021

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:17Deuteronomy 11–12Romans 5–6Psalms 28 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:17) Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,     but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. Meditation Our verse focus today, Proverbs 20:17, says, in the NIV, “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” Bread that we did not labor for honestly is appealing — after all, everyone wants something for nothing! But this food was actually gained by deceit of some kind. Our sin nature takes pleasure in getting the better of someone else, and thus the food tastes sweet…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:15Deuteronomy 9–10Romans 3–4Psalms 27 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:15) Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,     but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. Meditation Proverbs 20:15 says, in the NIV, “Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.” Speaking wisdom is both rare and precious; its value surpasses monetary wealth and riches. Indeed, gold and precious gems are commonplace by comparison. This proverb speaks not only of what is, but of what should be. God values wisdom and knowledge. So, we too should value wisdom and knowledge. When the…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:13Deuteronomy 7–8Romans 1–2Psalms 26 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:13) Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;     stay awake and you will have food to spare. Meditation Proverbs 20:13 speaks against slothfulness that is expressed by spending too much time in bed asleep. As the NIV says, “Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” This is a verse that I memorized many years ago. As someone who battles against laziness, I also have to battle against the desire to stay in bed. I find it interesting that…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:10Deuteronomy 5–6Matthew 28JudePsalms 25 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:10) Differing weights and differing measures —     the LORD detests them both. Meditation Proverbs 20:10 says, “Differing weights and differing measures — the LORD detests them both.” Or, as the ESV says, “They are… an abomination to the LORD.” When I read this proverb, I think of the way items were bought and sold in traditional markets. By weight, and by volume. There would be standard weights that would be used to weigh the goods, and standard measuring cups or baskets or jars — to measure an equal volume of goods…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:5Deuteronomy 3–4Matthew 27Psalms 24 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:5) The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,     but one who has insight draws them out. Meditation Proverbs 20:5 says, in the NKJV, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” Or, as it says in the NIV, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” There are many different layers to this proverb. To understand what is going on within your own heart, or within someone else’s heart,…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:4Deuteronomy 1–2Matthew 26Psalms 23 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:4) Sluggards do not plow in season;     so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Meditation Proverbs 20:4 says, in the NIV, “Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” I like this translation, even though it is not a strictly literal translation of the Hebrew. The ESV, which follows the Hebrew more closely, says, “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.” Being an urban dweller, I found the reference to plowing in the…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:3Haggai 1–2Matthew 25Psalms 22 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:3) It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,     but every fool is quick to quarrel. Meditation Our verse focus today is Proverbs 20:3, which says, in the NIV, “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” It is familiar Biblical wisdom packaged in an apt and succinct verse. The upright and righteous are peacemakers — they avoid strife. But fools are known for their lack of patience and self-control. We have seen these same principles in some of the earlier proverbs we have…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 20:1Daniel 11–12Matthew 24Psalms 21 Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:1) Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;     whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Meditation Our verse focus today speaks of the danger of intoxicants. As Proverbs 20:1 says, in the NIV, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” I took a look at the Hebrew interlinear text to understand a bit more about the verb used here — to be led astray. The Hebrew verb is shagah, and its primary meaning is to err or go…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:21Daniel 9–10Matthew 23Psalms 20 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:21) Many are the plans in a person’s heart,     but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Meditation Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” This is a bit like Proverbs 16:1, which we looked at on April 26th (Day 116): “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” God determines the outcome. What God wants to happen will happen. There’s a lot of comfort in understanding that “it is the LORD’s purpose that…

This was liked by:

Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:20Daniel 7–8Matthew 22Psalms 19 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:20) Listen to advice and accept discipline,     and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Meditation Our verse focus today is Proverbs 19:20. It says, in the ESV, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Our proverb is similar to many other verses. We have heard this wisdom before. We know that listening and learning lead to wisdom. But for me, what’s unique about this particular version of this truth, is the final phrase: “in the future.” Wisdom is not instant.…

This was liked by: