Devotions from April 2023

Passage Read: Psalm 136-139 Meditation Verse: 138:1 I don't have much cause for this, in that I don't spend much time among other gods or among great men who think and act like they are gods, but even when I encounter those who think much…

Passage Read: Psalm 140-143 Meditation Verses: 141:4-5 Several things I learn from this: I don't want my heart to be drawn to what is evil or to take part of evil deeds, so I should not enjoy or partake of their delicacies. Enjoying their riches…

Passage Read: Psalm 144-147 Meditation Verses: 147:19-20 God has revealed His Word to Israel. Paul speaks of that as a great advantage Jews have over Gentiles. It is a privilege that we don't often recognize. That God would choose a people and make sure they…

Passage Read: Psalm 148 - Proverbs 1 Meditation Verses: Proverbs 1:22-33 Wisdom is brutal! Yes, generous to those who listen to rebuke, she pours out her heart to them. But refuse to listen to rebuke, and she cuts you off. When calamity strikes because you…

Passage Read: Proverbs 2-5 Meditation Verses: 2:1-5 Understanding the fear of the Lord and finding the knowledge of God doesn't just happen, it takes effort. It starts with accepting the commands of a parent, directing the ear to listen and the heart to understand wisdom…

Passage Read: Proverbs 6-9 Meditation Verses: 9:7-9 A mocker and a wicked man abuse those who rebuke them, but a wise man welcomes correction and learns from it. This is not just instruction on how to treat different kinds of people and the importance to…

Passage Read: Proverbs 10-13 Meditation Verse: 10:24 This is an encouraging word. As long as my desires are in line with righteousness, with the will of the Lord, they will be granted. The righteous receive what they desire because they do the will of the…

Passage Read: Proverbs 14-17 Meditation Verse: 15:12 To resent correction is the behavior of a mocker, not a wise man. To refuse to consult the wise for fear of finding oneself in error is dangerous. Correction is hard to receive; as good as we all…

Passage Read: Proverbs 18-21 Meditation Verse: 20:15 Gold is precious because it is rare; rubies are supposed to be the rarest of gems. A good wife is as rare as rubies, and so very precious if found. But this says that lips that speak wisdom…

Passage Read: Proverbs 22-25 Meditation Verses: 24:33-34 This proverb suggests that poverty starts with a little coddling of self. Laziness doesn't start off as an absolute unwillingness to do anything, but with a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to…

Passage Read: Proverbs 26-29 Meditation Verse: 28:23 Thought This doesn't always feel true, but if I really care about people and see them going astray, I have to warn them. This proverb assures me that those who rebuke honestly will receive more favor in the…

Passage Read: Proverbs 30 - Ecclesiastes 2 Meditation Verses: Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 Thought Solomon basically says that the one who is content with what he has and is satisfied with the work he had to do, this is a wise man. The fool is one who…

Passage Read: Ecclesiastes 3-6 Meditation Verse: 3:17 Thought There is no guarantee of justice among men, but one thing is for sure: God will judge every one of us. We may be able to escape judgment here, or we may be unfairly judged here, but…

Passage Read: Ecclesiastes 7-10 Meditation Verses: 9:16-18 Thought Wisdom is better than strength, but few if any really appreciate wisdom or honor it. Though wisdom may get a chance to show its power and benefit, men almost always return to praising strength and power. So…

Passage Read: Ecclesiastes 11 - Song of Solomon 2 Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:4 Thought Conditions are often less than ideal for what needs to be done. If there is a work that needs to be done, there will always be excuses that can be found…