Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
Under conviction?
Scripture reading for May 4th: Matthew 21, Psalm 89, Proverbs 27
Matthew 21: 42-46 “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, because they held Him to be a prophet.”
Jesus was always using the Scriptures to help those opposing Him to understand God’s will and ways. He had just told a parable of the tenants of a vineyard owned by a master. It was leased to them and when the season of ripened grapes arrived, the master sent servants to get his portion of the fruit. They mistreated and killed the servants. After sending other servants, the master sent his son, saying that they would surely respect him. But again, the son was killed and the vineyard taken over by the tenants. The Pharisees knew that Jesus was telling this parable (and others) about them and felt threatened. But instead of repenting, they plotted to arrest Jesus and ultimately do away with Him. We are all tenants in our Master’s world. We owe Him our lives and allegiance. Let’s not reject the Son of God, owner of all!
Psalm 89:3-4 “You have said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'”
Prayer: Father God, You alone are owner of all things and are the One that all of mankind owes honor, obedience and worship. Forgive me for not honoring You with all my life and even at times opposing You. You know my true heart and can bring about the needed transformation. I offer my whole heart, soul and body to do Your will and share Your Good News with a lost world.
Proverbs 27:19 “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.”
Crying out, not silenced!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: Matthew 20, Psalm 88, Proverbs 26
Matthew 20: 29-34 “And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed Him.”
When people who are living in a hopeless situation have a ray of hope, they get motivated to act. Such was the case of the two beggars outside of Jericho as Jesus traveled on to Jerusalem. They heard Jesus was passing by and began to cry out loudly for mercy, addressing Jesus with a messianic title, “Son of David”. They crowd considered them nuisances and tried to silence them. But these men would not be denied and cried out persistently. Jesus heard their cry and summoned them with the question of what they wanted Him to do for them. They plainly stated their desire for healing of their sight. Jesus, moved by compassion, touched their eyes and immediately restored their sight! Humbly and persistently crying out gets God’s attention!
Psalm 88:1-2 “O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for another example in this story of Your heart of compassion for those blind and hurting. Thank You that you take time even for those the world tries to silence as a nuisance. Forgive me when I have foolishly considered someone not worthy of time or attention that You want to touch. Use me to be Your hand extended to those blinded by the god of this world, and all to Your glory.
Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Back to basics for marriage
Scripture reading for May 2nd: Matthew 19, Psalm 87, Proverbs 25
Matthew 19: 3-9 “And Pharisees came up to Him and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that He Who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.””
Marriage and divorce issues have been a part of mankind since the fall. There has been enmity and violence sown by Satan against those called to love one another and live together in harmony. Even in the law of Moses, God made an allowance for divorce because of the hardness of heart that develops in these situations of strife. Jesus carefully explained God’s original design. God made male and female, man and woman, to live together in a holy relationship of marriage. Their union was blessed and ordained by God to become ‘one flesh’ and produce children made in God’s image. God loves children and designed a loving home with father and mother as a place to instruct the children, protect them, and provide for them until they would also marry and pass it on. Sacred marriage produces sacred children because it models Christ Jesus and His Bride.
Psalm 87:5-6 “And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High Himself will establish her. The Lord records as He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this clear and simple instruction about marriage and divorce. Have mercy on our nation for ignoring and twisting this instruction to mean something else. Forgive us for our own hardness of heart, broken families and hurt children. Heal our people of their rebellion against Your simple design and use Your people to model loving and sacred marriages and raise children to know You.
Proverbs 25:24 “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”
Children are precious to our Father!
Scripture reading for May 1st: Matthew 18, Psalm 86, Proverbs 24
Matthew 18: 10-14 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father Who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of My Father Who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
Jesus made it clear to His disciples that children were precious to Him and His Father in heaven. Each child is made in God’s image and has a special place in God’s heart and kingdom. God has given each child at least one angel with access to God’s face. If a sheep is straying away from the shepherd and the safety of the flock, the shepherd goes after it. So too, are God’s shepherds to watch out for straying people who are young in the faith. Jesus emphasized that His Father’s will was that none of the little ones should perish. This teaching is like the honey from the honeycomb, sweet to the taste and like wisdom, nourishing to our souls. Take care of the children! Don’t neglect them! Don’t mistreat them!
Psalm 86:11-12 “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your Truth; unite my heart to fear Your Name. I give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your Name forever.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this strong Word from Your heart concerning children and those young in faith. As one of Your shepherds and a father and grandfather, I have sought to watch over the children. Help me in my old age to continue to value children as a heritage from You and precious in Your sight. Forgive our nation for its neglect, abuse and misuse of children for selfishness and immorality.
Proverbs 24:13-14 “My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Faith will move mountains
Scripture reading for April 28th: Matthew 17, Psalm 85, Proverbs 23
Matthew 17: 14-21 “And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to Him and kneeling before Him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing shall be impossible for you.”
A man with an epileptic son brought him to the disciples for prayer while Jesus was with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. They were unable to cast out the spirit. The man returned to find Jesus and again asked for mercy. Jesus was not happy with the disciples failure to have the faith necessary to complete the work. He rebuked the demon and the boy was instantly set free. The disciples came to Jesus afterwards for instruction. Jesus simply told them it was a lack of faith. Even a ‘mustard seed’ of faith has the power to move mountains. Jesus’ desire was that nothing would be impossible for those who believed His Word and walked in relationship with Him. He wanted them to show off God’s mercy that all might know His Father!
Psalm 85:6-7 “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your patience with me and others who follow You but walk in unbelief. I want to please You and walk in faith. Help me to grow in faith. I have only a ‘mustard seed’ of faith. Use it to move mountains and accomplish Your will to heal and deliver those needing freedom and salvation. I thank You and rejoice in You and Your great wisdom and words of knowledge and love.
Proverbs 23:12 “Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.”
“Little faith!”
Scripture reading for April 27th: Matthew 16, Psalm 84, Proverbs 22
Matthew 16:5-12 “When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Our human tendency is to think naturally about the issues of life and provision. We look with our eyes, hear with our ears, and process through our experience or others opinions. Jesus’ disciples did the same with a simple statement of warning from Jesus where He used the term ‘leaven.’ Leaven is yeast used in making bread. These disciples had forgotten the bread and were now concerned with what they might eat. Jesus was speaking to them about deeper issues–the ‘leaven’ of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which was their teaching of traditions of men instead of the Word of God. Jesus reminded them that their shared experience of the miraculous feeding of thousands twice should bring faith for the food needed.
Psalm 84:4-5 “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise! Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.”
Prayer: Father God, forgive me when I think naturally instead of with spiritual insight from Your Word and Holy Spirit. Give me discernment concerning the ‘leaven’ of false teaching and divisive doctrine found even in those claiming to know You. Use me to proclaim Jesus as the “Living Bread” of heaven. Use me to help those weak in faith to see danger and find strong faith through believing Your Word.
Proverbs 22:3-4 “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”
“Great faith!”
Scripture reading for April 26th: Matthew 15, Psalm 83, Proverbs 21
Matthew 15:22-28 “And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And He answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”
Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who has sought Him out for the deliverance of her daughter from demons. She had diligently pursued Jesus and was crying out for mercy and help in this hopeless situation. Jesus at first did not even answer her request. Persistently, she kept on crying out to the disciples and finally the disciples begged Jesus to send her away. Jesus answered them by saying that His mission was to the lost of the Jews. The woman knelt before Jesus and asked again for help. Jesus responded by telling her that the ‘children’s bread’ (healing for her daughter) was not to be thrown to Gentiles (dogs). She persistently asked for crumbs from the master’s table! At this, Jesus proclaimed her faith as “Great faith!” The child was immediately delivered!
Psalm 83:1 “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold Your peace or be still, O God!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this example of great faith and persistence to press in to obtain the promises You have made. Forgive me for my ‘little’ faith of not trusting You or doubting Your goodness and mercy towards me or others I am ministering to. Strengthen my faith today and help me to always press in and trust You for the needs I have or prayers that need answers. Do not be silent, O God!
Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Jesus shows compassion!
Scripture reading for April 25th: Matthew 14, Psalm 82, Proverbs 20
Matthew 14: 13-16 “Now when Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed Him on foot from the towns. When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.””
God the Father’s heart of compassion was on full display through His Son Jesus. Jesus had just been told of His cousin John the Baptist’s death at the hands of Herod. He withdrew to a lonely place for solitude, but crowds of people ran to where He was going. They had great need of healing and encouragement because they all lived under the cruel reign of Herod. Jesus took time to be with them and minister to them. When the day was nearly gone, the disciples suggested that Jesus send them away for food. Jesus had other plans that put the burden of their need for food in His disciples hands. Taking the little that they came up with, Jesus blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples to distribute. A miracle of compassion flowed through His disciples as they gave out the bread and fish. God’s heart was revealed!
Psalm 82:3-4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your heart of compassion for the hurting, the sick, the needy and the poor, including orphans and widows. Challenge me and Your followers to show compassion by praying for the sick and hurting, feeding the hungry, and giving Good News to those in despair and darkness. Uphold Your Glorious Throne through acts of covenant love flowing through Your servants.
Proverbs 20:23 “Steadfast love and faithfulness reserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.”
Hearing ears–seeing eyes!
Scripture reading for April 24th: Matthew 13, Psalm 81, Proverbs 19
Matthew 13: 13-16 “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can hardly hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.””
Jesus taught the people in parables. Parables are short stories that reveal spiritual truth to those humble enough to listen and look with open hearts. Parables also hide God’s Truth from those who scoff or mock at God’s ways. Jesus explained the Parable of the Sower to His disciples because they had ears that wanted to hear and eyes that wanted to see God’s truth. The “sower” was God or Jesus or His appointed disciples. The Seed was God’s Word. The soil was the hearts of those who had opportunity to see and hear. The soil determined the growth of the seed and the eventual harvest or lack thereof! Eyes that see and ears that hear are blessed with a great harvest!
Psalm 81:13-14 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the parables that Your Son taught and the privilege of having ears that hear. You have opened my ears to hear Your Truth and my heart’s soil You have broken up to make it fruitful. I continue to receive Your Word and then sow it to others that the great harvest of souls for Your kingdom may be completed! Amen!
Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
Mercy over sacrifice!
Scripture reading for April 21st: Matthew 12, Psalm 80, Proverbs 18
Matthew 12: 9-14 “He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”--so that they might accuse Him. He said to them, “Which of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, how to destroy Him.”
Jesus was continually trying to instruct the religious leaders on the real heart of God: showing mercy over keeping rules or sacrifice. They continually sought to trap Him or judge Him in matters concerning the law. Here, they confronted Jesus about if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Was healing forbidden as a form of work that did not honor God’s Sabbath commandment? Jesus gave them a simple truth about taking a fallen sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath and them told them that people were much more valuable than a sheep. He healed the man’s hand as a demonstration of mercy from God. They refused instruction like fools, and sought to destroy the Messenger of God’s Truth. This still happens today.
Psalm 80:17-19 “But let Your hand be on the Man of Your right hand, the Son of Man Whom You have made strong for Yourself! Then we shall not turn back from You; give us life, and we will call upon Your Name! Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts! Let Your face shine, that we may be saved!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to help us understand the heart of God and the depth of meaning in Your laws. Help me to understand how to be merciful instead of judgmental. Correct me when I become like those Pharisees. Use me today to demonstrate Your mercy to those in need of healing and the Good News of a Savior Who is merciful and forgiving.
Proverbs 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”