Category: Proverbs

Proverbs 20:12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both. (NIV)

This verse struck me because it is so full of nuance. There is a vast difference between looking and actually seeing. For instance, when I am driving, I am concentrating on the road, paying careful attention to where I’m going. But I might miss you waving at me from a passing car, even if I’m looking right at you. I’m looking, I’m seeing, but I’m not fully paying attention.

Proverbs 20:12 The LORD has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with. (GNT)

The same is true for listening and hearing. I can hear the words coming out of your mouth and miss their true meaning. Ask people how they are and really pay attention to their answers and you’ll see what I mean. The New Testament is full of instances where people who can see and hear are not paying attention. So is daily life.

Proverbs 20:12 Hearing and seeing are gifts from the LORD. (CEV)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the understanding that we must go beyond the surface to really look and listen so that we can connect with Your people in this suffering world. Thank You for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear. Help me to pay attention, to use them to draw closer to You and to shine Your light for others. Amen.

Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. (ERV)

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 19:3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.

Lord, Thank You for this week and for the knowledge that I am where You need me. Thank You for the reminder of how much I love my job, love working with students. Thank You for the hope I feel for the coming school year.

Proverbs 19:6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.

Lord, We both know that there can be a lot of favor-currying in this job. Help me stay laser-focused on You this year. Help me remember, through the daily ins and outs of teaching, that with every breath I want to draw closer to You and to shine Your light for others.

Proverbs 19:8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that it’s not about me. It’s about You. Thank You for the students I will be able to work with this year. Help me to be a positive, uplifting influence. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

The verses I pulled from Proverbs 18 deal with fools and gossips. Their words are not aimed at edifying but at destroying. When they speak, they spread dissension  and destruction. They hope to uproot, to tear down. The words of fools and gossips don’t just sit on the surface of the soul. They “go down to the inmost parts.” They infect. Clinging to God instead of listening to fools and gossips is, of course, the antidote.

Proverbs 18:4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

But as I read this scripture and type these words, I know God has a bigger lesson for me because He knows my heart. He knows what I’m struggling with right now. He knows what will make the situation worse (gossip) and what will make it better (the fortified tower of the Lord). He is reminding me as I work through this matter to turn to Him as I struggle. My hope is in God alone.

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for knowing my heart and understanding my struggles. Thank You for Your love, protection, and guidance. Thank You for reminding me to turn to You. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Have a blessed day.

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.