Daily Meditation

Scripture Readings Proverbs 8:17Genesis 49–50Matthew 25Psalms 25 Verse Focus (Proverbs 8:17) I love those who love me,     and those who seek me find me. Meditation Do you love wisdom? Do you love Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father? In Proverbs 8:17, Wisdom declares, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” What a wonderful promise for us! Not only that God loves us, but that those who seek Him shall find him. I’m particularly struck by the verb tense used. This is present tense. In the now, you find wisdom. You find Christ.…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 8:11Genesis 47–48Matthew 24Psalms 24 Verse Focus (Proverbs 8:11) For wisdom is more precious than rubies,     and nothing you desire can compare with her. Meditation “For wisdom is more precious than rubies,” says Proverbs 8:11, “and nothing you desire can compare with her.” To me, this perfectly sums up the book of Proverbs. Wisdom — Christ — the Word of God. This is what it’s all about. Although we don’t trade in precious jewels the way the ancient world did, we still understand treasure. And to say that nothing else compares to wisdom — what else can you say?…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 7:2Genesis 45–46Matthew 23Psalms 23 Verse Focus (Proverbs 7:2) Keep my commands and you will live;     guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Meditation We come to the end of another long week. How fitting is our proverb for today! Proverbs 7:2 says, “Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.” We want to live, we want life and abundant life. We want renewal. Keeping the commands of Scripture, practicing the words of Jesus — this is how we will live. I think about the “apple of your eye”…

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Scripture Readings Proverbs 7:1Genesis 43–44Matthew 22Psalms 22 Verse Focus (Proverbs 7:1) My son, keep my words     and store up my commands within you. Meditation Proverbs 7:1 begins by addressing us as “my son,” reminding us that we are learning wisdom from one who loves us deeply and intimately, desiring only the best things for our life and future. It also reminds us that we are learning from one who is older and wiser than we are. Again, there are those who have trouble with the gender-specific language, objecting to the designation as “son.” Yes, it was a patriarchal, male-dominated society when…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 6:23Genesis 41–42Matthew 21Psalms 21 Verse Focus (Proverbs 6:23) For these commands are a lamp,     this teaching is a light,and the corrections of discipline     are the way to life. Meditation Never have we needed light, truth, and clarity more than we do now. Our verse focus tells us that these “commands” and this “teaching” not only bring light, but they are light. In the context of the chapter, the verse is talking about your father’s commands and your mother’s teaching — but, of course, we know that the verse is really talking about God’s law. The Bible is a lamp;…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 6:9–11Genesis 39–40Matthew 20Psalms 20 Verse Focus (Proverbs 6:9–11) 9How long will you lie there, you sluggard?     When will you get up from your sleep?10A little sleep, a little slumber,     a little folding of the hands to rest—11and poverty will come on you like a thief     and scarcity like an armed man. Meditation Hello, again! Welcome. 🙂 So our verse focus from Proverbs 6:9–11 continues yesterday’s topic on the dangers of laziness. But these verses hold a special sting for me. Just about every time I read these verses I can feel the Holy Spirit pricking my conscience because I do…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 6:6–8Genesis 37–38Matthew 19Psalms 19 Verse Focus (Proverbs 6:6–8) 6Go to the ant, you sluggard;      consider its ways and be wise!7It has no commander,      no overseer or ruler,8yet it stores its provisions in summer      and gathers its food at harvest. Meditation Today’s verse focus from Proverbs asks us to consider the industry of an ant, tirelessly working to provide food for the community. What is particularly noteworthy about the ant is that it does not require an overseer to compel its work. Humans, on the other hand, will often only do work because it is required by someone…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 5:23Genesis 35–36Matthew 18Psalms 18 Verse Focus (Proverbs 5:23) He will die for lack of discipline,     led astray by his own great folly. Meditation Our verse focus today says, in the NIV of 1984, “He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” The NIV of 2021 says, “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” The translation I read this morning, the NRSV, says, “They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost.” I understand the move to make the language…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 5:21Genesis 33–34Matthew 17Psalms 17 Verse Focus (Proverbs 5:21) For your ways are in full view of the LORD,     and he examines all your paths. Meditation Today’s verse from Proverbs tells us that the LORD is always watching us. The second half of the verse says that “he examines all your paths” — some translations say “ponders” all your paths; other say “considers” all your paths. So, in one sense, God is watching everything you do; in another meaning, He is watching everywhere you go. As I read this verse, it seems to me that God is watching all…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 4:23Genesis 31–32Matthew 16Psalms 16 Verse Focus (Proverbs 4:23) Above all else, guard your heart,     for it is the wellspring of life. Meditation Hello! Welcome! Proverbs 4:23 has long been a favorite verse for me. As I memorized this verse in the NIV translation of 1984, it said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The NIV today says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” NASB says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” CSB says, “Guard your…