Thursday 5/21

Into the Wilderness (week 5) Day 4

Before you read God’s Word today, ask for His help by praying this short prayer:
Lord, quiet my heart and settle my mind. Help me set aside the distractions and busyness around me. Let Your Word do more than fill my mind with knowledge, let it change my heart. Show me what is true, correct me where I need it, and guide me in how I should live. Lord, help me not only to hear it, but to receive it and obey it. Draw me closer to You through this time and continue growing me to live like Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 19

[1] Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than a fool whose lips are perverse.

[2] Desire without knowledge is not good—

how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

[3] A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,

yet their heart rages against the Lord.

[4] Wealth attracts many friends,

but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.

[5] A false witness will not go unpunished,

and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

[6]Many curry favor with a ruler,

and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.

[7] The poor are shunned by all their relatives—

how much more do their friends avoid them!

Though the poor pursue them with pleading,

they are nowhere to be found. 

[8] The one who gets wisdom loves life;

the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

[9] A false witness will not go unpunished,

and whoever pours out lies will perish.

[10] It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—

how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

[11] A person’s wisdom yields patience;

it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

[12] A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

[13] A foolish child is a father’s ruin,

and a quarrelsome wife is like

the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

[14] Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

[15] Laziness brings on deep sleep,

and the shiftless go hungry.

[16] Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,

but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.

[17] Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,

and he will reward them for what they have done.

[18] Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;

do not be a willing party to their death.

[19] A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;

rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

[20] Listen to advice and accept discipline,

and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

[21] Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

[22] What a person desires is unfailing love;

better to be poor than a liar.

[23] The fear of the Lord leads to life;

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

[24] A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

[25] Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;

rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.

[26] Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother

is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

[27] Stop listening to instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

[28] A corrupt witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

[29] Penalties are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.

Reflection:
Reread (v. 21) Where are you most tempted to live as though some hostile voice has the final word over your life?  Possible areas:

criticism from people, family conflict, spiritual attack, fear about the future, workplace pressure, political chaos, dark circumstances, regret from the past

Pray “Lord, forgive us for living as though opposition, fear, pressure, or dark circumstances have the final word. Teach us to trust Your sovereignty, rest in Your purpose, and stop trying to control what only You can govern. Strengthen us to walk in peace, confidence, and obedience because what You have blessed cannot be undone by what man schemes.”