For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have been convicted over the last few weeks to seek to develop a disciplined prayer life. It is still a work in progress. Please pray for me, that the Holy Spirit may show me how to pray in a disciplined manner.
All of today’s proverbs warn us about the dangers of becoming involved with a fool. Verse eleven tells us how to recognize if we are a fool. All of us do foolish things from time to time. However, only a fool does the same foolish thing over and over.
Will you join me in singing praises to God, in shouting out loud about His great works? Please join me in coming before the Lord in humble thanks giving. Let us listen to His voice today. I will not harden my heart and rebel against Him. Oh Lord send Your Spirit into me so that I do not try Your patience.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
The gods whom others worship are mere idols, but our God is the Creator of heaven and earth. In the past I have read this psalm as an enthusiastic encouragement for people to praise the Lord. Today, I read this as a plea. Please come and worship the Lord. There is joy to be had in doing so. Do not wait for Him to bring His judgement against evil.
We are instructed to preach the word of God at all times, whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. It is not enough to tell people about our faith when they are receptive. We must discuss our faith even when they are unreceptive. Let us correct, rebuke, and encourage those around us, but remember to do so patiently and gently. We are in a time when people do not want to listen to sound doctrine. People seek teachers who will tell them what they want to hear rather than the hard truths. People will reject the truth and seek after myths which allow them to do what they want to do. There will come a time when we will suffer for serving the Lord, for remaining true to the Gospel. Rather than fear such suffering let us embrace it as evidence that we are being faithful.
I must admit that I struggle with that last. I see a time of persecution coming and I am afraid that I will not be strong enough to stand up under it. I fear that I will not remain faithful in the face of persecution. Oh Lord, set your Holy Spirit upon me that I will remain faithful even when it costs me.
Jeremiah gave prophesies against Judah’s neighbors, lands which had rejoiced to see the downfall of Israel and Judah. However, the peoples of these lands had boasted of their riches, power, and gods as protecting them from the fall which struck down Israel and Judah. The lesson which strikes me today is that it is a mistake to revel in the misfortune of others. When disaster strikes, whether natural or man-caused, it does not respect borders. If our neighbor suffers misfortune, we should do our best to help, otherwise that same misfortune may strike us as well.