Kirsty

Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:11Numbers 27–28Matthew 14Psalms 11 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:11) A person’s wisdom yields patience;     it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Meditation I love what today’s proverb tells us! Proverbs 19:11 says, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Perhaps you too have struggled with patience. When you’re impatient, you might know that you need to gain patience, but how to go about that can seem mystifying. Here, we are told that patience is a byproduct of wisdom. Indeed, Paul tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:9Numbers 25–26Matthew 13Psalms 10 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:9) A false witness will not go unpunished,     and whoever pours out lies will perish. Meditation Today’s verse focus, Proverbs 19:9, is nearly identical to Proverbs 19:5, which we looked at a couple of days ago. Proverbs 19:5 says, in the ESV, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.” Proverbs 19:9 says, again in the ESV, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.” So the only difference is how the verse ends — “will…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:8Numbers 23–24Matthew 12Psalms 9 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:8) The one who gets wisdom loves life;     the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. Meditation Today’s verse focus, Proverbs 19:8, says in the NRSV, “To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper.” Acquiring wisdom is a matter of prudence and self-interest; keeping that wisdom will help you find success. The NIV translates the first half of this proverb by saying, “The one who gets wisdom loves life.” And life is one of the meanings of the Hebrew word nephesh; other meanings include a soul,…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:5Numbers 21–22Matthew 11Psalms 8 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:5) A false witness will not go unpunished,     and whoever pours out lies will not go free. Meditation Proverbs 19:5 says, in the ESV, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.” Although the verse does not mention God directly, we understand that it is God who will punish the false witness, and God who will imprison the one who pours out lies. God may use people to bring about His justice, but these are very serious offenses. Indeed, this is even one…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:4Numbers 19–20Matthew 10Psalms 7 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:4) Wealth attracts many friends,     but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. Meditation Proverbs 19:4 says, in the NRSV, “Wealth brings many friends, but the poor are left friendless.” Since friendship is one of the best blessings that God has given us, it’s rather distressing to think that friendship can be merely a function of how much money you have. Of course, this has been the plot of many a television drama — we see the superficiality of relationships among the very wealthy and thereby learn to…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 19:3Numbers 17–18Matthew 9Psalms 6 Verse Focus (Proverbs 19:3) A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,     yet their heart rages against the LORD. Meditation Our verse focus today, Proverbs 19:3, says, in the ESV, “When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.” It is ironic, and somewhat ridiculous that a person will blame God for his or her own failures, but it is also very true. When things go wrong, we look for someone to blame. Preferably anyone other than ourselves. That’s hardwired into us as part of our sin nature.…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 18:23Numbers 15–16Matthew 8Psalms 5 Verse Focus (Proverbs 18:23) The poor plead for mercy,     but the rich answer harshly. Meditation Today’s verse focus is Proverbs 18:23. This verse only came to my attention recently, and I’m still not sure I’ve got a good grasp on what it means or how I should apply it. The NIV says, “The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.” The ESV says, “The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.” The NASB says, “The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answers roughly.” I also like what the GNT…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 18:21Numbers 13–14Matthew 7Psalms 4 Verse Focus (Proverbs 18:21) The tongue has the power of life and death,     and those who love it will eat its fruit. Meditation Our verse focus today, Proverbs 18:21, says, in the NKJV, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” As the NIV says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” I have always loved this verse. Such impact! Like a one-two punch, the verse collides with my heart. This is…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 18:20Numbers 11–12Matthew 6Psalms 3 Verse Focus (Proverbs 18:20) From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;     with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. Meditation Our verse focus today, Proverbs 18:20, is intriguing. The ESV says, “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.” To me, what is interesting about this proverb is that there is no mention of good or harm. Most proverbs about the tongue speak of the power to heal or to hurt. Yet this proverb only says that…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 18:18Numbers 9–10Matthew 5Psalms 2 Verse Focus (Proverbs 18:18) Casting the lot settles disputes     and keeps strong opponents apart. Meditation Proverbs 18:18 says, “Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.” At heart, this proverb recognizes the sovereignty of God. And we have a very different mindset in today’s culture. We think of random happenings, and chance. We do not consider the toss of the dice to be directed by God. Nor could we imagine that a coin throw might settle a dispute between angry parties. As I meditate on this verse, I think the lesson for…

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