Month: August 2021

Proverbs 16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

The thing that struck me about this collection of verses is that they all deal with human plans, and if you know me, you know that I am a huge planner. Not only do I plan activities, but also I plan what “should” happen (you can imagine how well that works out), I try to make contingencies for what might happen, I worry about what will probably never happen, etc. 

Proverbs 16:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

It can be exhausting, and not only that, all that planning, which usually doesn’t go the way I had planned anyway, often leads to discontentment in the moment, to not enjoying what is because it’s not the way I thought it should be. This is an issue God and I have been working on for some time. Slowly, very slowly, I think I’m getting better, but there is still much work to be done.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for showing me this issue and working with me to lay aside my plans and find You in my reality. I’m better than I was, but I know I still have a long way to go. Help me, Jesus. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Verses 13-15 caught my eye because they all deal with the heart: a happy heart, a discerning heart, a cheerful heart. I want to be a positive, encouraging person. I want to draw closer to God and shine His light for all to see. These things all begin in the heart.

Proverbs 15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

A Facebook memory yesterday reminded me of a quote a friend shared a year ago: Just because you’ve been given a cactus doesn’t mean you have to sit on it. Toxic positivity is not from God. He doesn’t advocate sitting on the cactus. But if I truly believe that He is with me always (and I do), then I will see His light and His Hope in even the darkest situation if I look, and praising Him is always appropriate. Thank You, Jesus.

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that You are with me always and for the God winks and blessings You so liberally shower me with so that the hope of Your presence is fulfilled in my life. Help me to have a positive, encouraging heart, to draw closer to You, and to shine Your light. Amen.

Proverbs 15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 14:3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

The four verses here, which resonated with me, deal with pride and wisdom, laughter (and the fact that our joy, rooted in Him, goes much deeper), and peace and envy. Pride is something I struggle with always—wanting recognition and kudos for my hard work. But I know that human recognition is foolish and fleeting, and I know my Savior sees my heart.

Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

My family has a bit of gallows humor, laughing to keep from crying in tough situations, but we know where true joy resides. A heart at peace is something I strive for, something this world makes so difficult, but God’s peace, which passes all understanding, is waiting for me to claim. God’s wisdom and discernment are things I continue to strive for daily. Help me, Jesus.

Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for these verses, especially the ones I connect with. Thank You for Your wisdom and discernment to know that this world is not my home, that You know my heart, and that joy and peace are found only in You. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.

Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she let’s herself be known.

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (NIV)

I find the various translations of this verse fascinating because they range so greatly. The BST version seems to indicate the verse is about someone who promises to help but never does while the GWT seems to allude to personal hopes that never come to fruition. 

Proverbs 13:12 Delayed hope makes the heart sick, but fulfilled desire is a tree of life. (HCSB)

My sister and I were talking yesterday about the importance of hope. I think what this verse gets to is that while hope is important, for the soul to flourish, the hope that God is with us has to be fulfilled. From my vantage point, that fulfillment can be God winks or blessings He sends our way (sunshine, blue skies, a butterfly, a kind word, etc), not necessarily the one thing that we have our hopes set on. 

Proverbs 13:12 Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads another to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life. (BST)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the gift of hope and the million little ways that You help us to hold on to hope, even in difficult situations. Where it is possible, help me encourage others in hope. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 13:12 Delayed hope makes one sick at heart, but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life. (GWT)

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (NIV)

As we were checking out at the hardware store the other day, I noticed the cashier had eyes the most amazing shade of hazel. They were gorgeous, and I told her so. As I was walking the other day, I passed a women wearing a striking blouse. It looked wonderful on her, so I told her so.

Proverbs 12:25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (NLT)

There are those who would flay me for focusing on appearance in the two examples above, but I know the power of a positive word, so I try to speak life (to borrow a phrase from TobyMac ) to those I meet in whatever ways I can. Looking silly or being thought shallow is a chance I’m willing to take to encourage others.

Proverbs 12:25 Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer. (CEV)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the character trait You gave me that encourages me to speak life to others. I know the power of a positive word, unexpected compliment, or honest question about my day. Thank You for that understanding. Help me to speak life to everyone I meet, Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 12:25 A person’s anxiety will weigh him down, but an encouraging word makes him joyful. (GWT)

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Humility is something I struggle with at times, not because I think I’m “all that and a bag of chips,” but because when I throw my heart into something, I want recognition from someone, just a “good job,” or “I see how hard you are working,” or something will do, but that is still pride—wanting someone on this earth to give me accolades for my actions.

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

I struggle with this a lot. My validation needs to come only from God. It truly doesn’t matter what humans think. But it’s so nice to know what you do is appreciated. I try to use that knowledge to compliment others more, and I keep trying to turn my earthly, prideful side over to God. Jesus, Help me.

Proverbs 11:7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the understanding of the role of pride in my life. Help me to humble myself before You daily. It doesn’t matter what this world thinks of me. Help me not to crave earthly accolades. Draw me closer to You. Amen.

Proverbs 11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Chapter 10 is where Proverbs dips into its familiar form. While the pithy advice can be useful, I miss the cohesion of a story. For me, there is a huge mindset shift that has to happen for these chapters to have the same impact.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

For instance, I find verse 12 to be incredibly true: hatred leads to conflict. Love leads to reconciliation. What more is there to say? But I know the longer I spend in scripture, the more my Savior will whisper to my heart, so I will continue to ponder and study, trying to draw closer with every word.

Proverbs 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the times when sitting with You and drawing closer seems so effortless. Thank You also for times where I have to read and study (and then read and study some more) to discern Your meaning. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.

Proverbs 10:14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Lord, Thank You for taking the time each day to sit with me. Forgive me for the times that I am distracted or inattentive. When I come before You each morning, help me to block out the distractions of the world and focus solely on You.

Proverbs 9:11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

Lord, I know that my attitude makes a huge difference in how I approach each day and in how each day feels. Help me to have a positive attitude, non-toxic but optimistic. Help me to approach each day with the hope that can only come from You and to share that hope with others.

Proverbs 9:12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to ground myself in You every morning. Help me to protect our time together and to take Your peace with me throughout my day, no matter what the day entails. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 9:13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 8:32 “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

I pray daily to draw closer to God in my reading, study, and prayer time. What I am praying for is wisdom to know God better, to see Him more clearly, to follow His way more closely. 

Proverbs 8:33 “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

I love the way wisdom is personified in this chapter, but for me, what is crucial to remember is that I am not seeking wisdom for wisdom’s sake. I am seeking wisdom to draw closer to my precious Savior so that I can shine His light more keenly.

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for this deep desire to seek You each day, to know You more and better. Help me, always, seek wisdom to draw closer to You. Help me to shine Your Light for all to see. Amen.

Proverbs 8:35 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.”

Have a blessed day.