Month: August 2021

Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:11Judges 3–4I Corinthians 13–14Psalms 59 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:11) One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace     will have the king for a friend. Meditation Congratulations to us all — we have reached a significant milestone. With today’s reading, we complete two thirds of the year. We also complete two thirds of the Old Testament. And there are only four months left until our journey through the Bible is complete. Praise God for bringing us through thus far! Hallelujah!! 🙂 Our proverb today, Proverbs 22:11, says, in the NIV, “One who loves a pure heart…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:9Judges 1–2I Corinthians 11–12Psalms 58 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:9) The generous will themselves be blessed,     for they share their food with the poor. Meditation Today’s proverb is yet another commentary on the virtue of generosity. As Proverbs 22:9 says, in the NIV, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” This brings to mind Proverbs 11:25, which we looked at back on February 22 (Day 53). Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Those who give will receive. Biblical economics. The ESV translation…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:8Joshua 23–24I Corinthians 9–10Psalms 57 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:8) Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,     and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. Meditation Our verse focus today is an interesting one. Proverbs 22:8 says, in the NIV, “Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.” The KJV has a slightly different take on the proverb. It reads, “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: And the rod of his anger shall fail.” To my mind, injustice is a very different thing than iniquity. Likewise, calamity also seems quite different…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:7Joshua 21–22I Corinthians 7–8Psalms 56 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:7) The rich rule over the poor,      and the borrower is slave to the lender. Meditation Today’s proverb talks about the power of money to control society. As Proverbs 22:7 says in the NIV, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Although having wealth will not in and of itself make one a bad ruler, history has shown how frequently the rich have abused the poor. Since the Bible deplores this kind of oppression, it is a severe warning for those of…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:6Joshua 19–20I Corinthians 5–6Psalms 55 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:6) Start children off on the way they should go,     and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Meditation Our Proverb focus today is from chapter 22, verse 6. It speaks of both the importance and the impact of raising your children with the values and disciplines of a godly life. As the NIV translates this verse, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” My father ate oatmeal for breakfast most of…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:4Joshua 17–18I Corinthians 3–4Psalms 54 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:4) Humility is the fear of the LORD;     its wages are riches and honor and life. Meditation Our verse focus today is Proverbs 22:4, which says, in the NIV, “Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.” The ESV translates the verse a little bit differently, saying, “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.” I took a look at the interlinear Bible to see if I could understand from the Hebrew where the difference in…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:3Joshua 15–16I Corinthians 1–2Psalms 53 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:3) The prudent see danger and take refuge,     but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Meditation Our verse focus today is Proverbs 22:3, which says, in the NIV, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Last year I was reading this proverb at a point when we were more than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. I couldn’t help but interpret this proverb from within that context. So I think of the prudent — those who wear masks and…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:2Joshua 13–14Mark 16PhilemonPsalms 52 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:2) Rich and poor have this in common:     The LORD is the Maker of them all. Meditation Proverbs 22:2 says, in the ESV, “The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all.” This particular translation is very close to the Hebrew wording. The NIV is less literal in its translation, and thus can sometimes be easier to understand. It says, “Rich and poor have this in common: the LORD is the Maker of them all.” Obviously, this proverb speaks of the intrinsic worth of human…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:1Joshua 11–12Mark 15Psalms 51 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:1) A good name is more desirable than great riches;     to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Meditation Our verse focus today is Proverbs 22:1. The verse says, in the NIV, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” This is Biblical wisdom. Your reputation and how you are regarded is more important than wealth. Yet wealth can be confused with honor and self-worth. How much of the drive to acquire riches comes from a misplaced desire to be…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 21:31Joshua 9–10Mark 14Psalms 50 Verse Focus (Proverbs 21:31) The horse is made ready for the day of battle,     but victory rests with the LORD. Meditation Proverbs 21:31 says, in the ESV, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” I love this verse! Victory always belongs to God. Yesterday’s proverb reminded us that God’s purposes are what stand; nothing can prevail against the LORD. Yet even though it is God’s will that affects the outcome, we are still required to do our part. And our part is to get…

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