Proverbs 18:1-12 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;the righteous man runs into it and is safe.A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,and like a high wall in his imagination. Proverbs 18:10-11 Two places of security. One is invisible, but outshines the sun. The other is in plain sight, but will fade …
Author Archives: John S.
July 16 / Proverbs 17:15-28
Proverbs 17:15-28 A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 “Friend”. That is a word that gets used quite a lot in today’s world. We have even turned it from a noun into a verb, so we can readily “friend” someone on social media. And we can even more …
July 15 / Proverbs 17:1-14
Proverbs 17:1-14 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,and the LORD tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3 What does it mean for the LORD to test hearts? What does testing the heart look like? The first half of this proverb — the crucible and the furnace — suggests intense heat. Zechariah 13:9 and …
July 14 / Proverbs 16:17-33
Proverbs 16:17-33 A worker’s appetite works for him;his mouth urges him on. Proverbs 16:26 Some people are just plain driven and work constantly, but they are the exceptions. Most of us gladly take advantage of paid time off. I’d even venture to say that if we were given unlimited paid time off, we’d take it, …
July 13 / Proverbs 16:1-16
Proverbs 16:1-16 Several of today’s proverbs explicitly mention “plans” (i.e., Pr. 16:1,3,9) — and Pr. 16:2 might as well have used “plans” instead of “ways”. So I thought I might focus on planning today, how it is good and prudent to plan, but that we need to hold our plans loosely, recognizing that the Lord …
July 12 / Proverbs 15:18-33
Proverbs 15:18-33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33 I am sure most of us have heard teaching to the effect that the word “fear” in the phrase “the fear of the LORD” doesn’t mean “fear” at all, but rather “respect” or “reverence”. That’s a common teaching, …
July 11 / Proverbs 15:1-17
Proverbs 15:1-17 A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 So true. How many times have you seen the truth of this proverb play out? And how often has it gone down the positive (soft) path vs. the negative (harsh) one? My guess is we’ve all witnessed the negative …
July 10 / Proverbs 14:18-35
Proverbs 14:18-35 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,but he who is generous to the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31 Truly, I say to you, as you did [not do] it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did [not do] it to Me. Matthew 25:40,45 Enough said.
July 9 / Proverbs 14:1-17
Proverbs 14:1-17 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 Or how about a Bluegrass equivalent: “You don’t win the Kentucky Derby without shoveling a lot of horse ____.” (I’ll let you fill in the blank with whatever term you like.) Yes, real …
July 8 / Proverbs 13:14-25
Proverbs 13:14-25 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 It matters whom you hang out with. But that begs the question: how is it that one “falls into” a given crowd? We do not always get to choose our associates. In particular, we don’t choose our …