Devoted to Scripture

Day 194 of the podcast, reading Proverbs 16-18 NET, read along at:

This is day 194 of our journey.

Today we read 85 proverbs.  We start with proverbs professing the greatness of God's plans and direction in contrast to man's shortsighted foolishness.  We can plot all we want, but God is Sovereign! We also see characteristics of the wise and of the foolish that can be used as a gauge to assess where we stand.  Do we accept reproof from others and allow it to direct our character, or do we require more intense punishment and still not change?  Do we seek understanding, or do we simply want to say what is on our mind?

Join me in Proverbs 16-18 and seek to correct those areas where we are living as fools!

Key verses:

Proverbs 16:3

Proverbs 17:10

Proverbs 18:17

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 193 of the podcast, reading Proverbs 13-15 NET, read along at:

This is day 193 of our journey.

Today we read 3 chapters with 93 varied proverbs.  These proverbs continue to contrast wisdom and folly.  They cover topics including: the importance of a parent's discipline and instruction; the importance of investing in the correct things; the need to look deeper than appearances; and the value of being righteous over wicked.  In general, these proverbs cover every facet of life.

Join me in Proverbs 13-15 and listen for the wise advice to counsel you today.

Key verses:

Proverbs 13:24

Proverbs 14:12

Proverbs 15:33

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 192 of the podcast, reading Proverbs 10-12 NET, read along at:

This is day 192 of our journey.

Proverbs 10 begins the heart of the book of Proverbs.  In this section are over 400 proverbs of Solomon.  These proverbs contrast the wise and the foolish, the right and the wrong.  They are usually written in the form of two opposite actions with their opposite results. While there are occasional groupings of similarly themed proverbs, there is no real arrangement to the material as a whole.  One thing to remember about these proverbs as a modern reader:  They are sound life principles instead of foolproof rules and, as such, exceptions can apply.

Join me in Proverbs 10-12 and hear the wisdom of Solomon!

Key verses:

Proverbs 10:9

Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 12:16

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 191 of the podcast, reading Proverbs 7-9 NET, read along at:

This is day 191 of our journey.

Today we conclude the introductory speeches.  First, the father lays out the stages and consequences of seduction and adultery, warning his son to stay far away from the seductress.  The second speech is wisdom calling for the young man to seek her out.  She is noble, just, and true; she is valuable and she delights in creation.  The third speech is a contrast between wisdom and folly.  Wisdom offers life, with no mention of the pleasure that comes with it.  Folly offers pleasure, with no mention of the death that follows.  Choose life!

Join me in Proverbs 7-9 and heed the call of wisdom.

Key verses:

Proverbs 7:4

Proverbs 8:35

Proverbs 9:13

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 190 of the podcast, reading Proverbs 4-6 NET, read along at:

This is day 190 of our journey.

Today we continue with 3 more speeches from a father to his son.  The father continues to encourage his son to seek wisdom above all else.  A life worth living is guided by God's wisdom and discipline while only destruction is born from self-serving folly.  The father specifically warns his son against the enticements of the adulterous woman and of sexual immorality.  The wicked are captured by their own sins while those who follow the commandments will walk in a way that is secure.  Those who accept discipline are walking the path to life.

Join me in Proverbs 4-6 and gain wisdom!

Key verses:

Proverbs 4:7

Proverbs 5:22

Proverbs 6:23

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 189 of the podcast, reading Proverbs 1-3 NET, read along at:

This is day 189 of our journey.

Today we begin the book of Proverbs. I recommend that you watch the summary video of Proverbs put out by "The Bible Project" to help guide our listening.  The link is in the description.

Proverbs begins with an introduction connecting us to King Solomon.  The first 9 chapters are made up of speeches from a father to a son.  The father tells the son to listen to wisdom and cultivate the fear of the Lord.

Wisdom is not simply the acquisition of knowledge but, more precisely, it is practical skill or applied knowledge.  The purpose of this book is to help us, as God's children, to develop a set of practical skills for living well in our Heavenly Father's world.

The "fear of the Lord" is not about terror.  Rather, it refers to a sense of reverence and awe before God. Proper fear, in this sense, is an understanding that our personal lifespan is simply a single thread in the magnificent tapestry that God is weaving.  The fear of the Lord is a posture of humility before God, embracing his definition of good and evil even when it's difficult or inconvenient.

Join me in Proverbs 1-3 and seek wisdom in the fear of the Lord!

Key verses:

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 2:6

Proverbs 3:12

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/videos/proverbs/

Day 188 of the podcast, reading Psalms 145-150 NET, read along at:

This is day 188 of our journey.

Today we conclude the book of Psalms.

Psalm 145 closes book 5 with praise to God because he is a just and merciful king who cares for his people.

Psalms 146-150 form a conclusion to the book of Psalms.  In the center, Psalm 148 says that all creation is summoned to praise the God of Israel, because he has "raised up a horn for his people." This is a metaphor of a bull's horn raised in victory.  The horn is a symbol of the messianic king and his victory over evil - a fitting conclusion to this book.

As we've read through the Psalms, we've seen psalms of lament and psalms of praise.  Both are valid responses to the world around us as we, through prayer, carry our joys and burdens to the God who created all.  However, as we spend more time in worship and prayer to God, I have found that confidence in God's faithfulness in our lives will grow increasingly apparent and the laments of life may begin to become more of a backdrop to our attitude of praise to the Most High God!  He is just and mighty!

Join me in Psalms 145-150 to praise the God of all creation and the Savior of the world!

Key verses:

Psalms 145:18

Psalms 146:5

Psalms 147:5

Psalms 148:13

Psalms 149:2

Psalms 150:6

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 187 of the podcast, reading Psalms 138-144 NET, read along at:

This is day 187 of our journey.

Today we read 7 psalms of David.  In these psalms, David cries out to God in thanks for the many ways that he has been delivered.  He recognizes that God knows all things and that nothing escapes his gaze.  As such, David places his confidence in God's justice while he is being attacked by deadly enemies.  He prays for protection from sin and from the schemes of sinful men.  He laments his persecuted state, but relies upon the Lord to deliver him.  Instead of turning to despair, He expresses his confidence in God and anticipates God's rich blessings on the nation.

Join me in Psalms 138-144 to praise God for his many acts of deliverance!

Key verses:

Psalms 138:8

Psalms 139:17

Psalms 140:12

Psalms 141:3

Psalms 142:6

Psalms 143:10

Psalms 144:15

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 186 of the podcast, reading Psalms 132-137 NET, read along at:

This is day 186 of our journey.

Today we read 6 psalms of praise.

Psalms 132-134 are more songs of ascent.  In 132, the psalmist remembers David's devotion and appeals to the Lord to remember His promises concerning David's dynasty and Zion.  Psalm 133 compares family unity to the consecrated oil used to anoint the priestly line.  Psalm 134 calls on the temple's servants to praise God.

In Psalm 135, the psalmist urges Israel to praise the incomparable God and ruler of the world because of the great things He has accomplished for Israel.

Psalm 136 is a hymn affirming that God is praiseworthy because of his enduring loyal love, sovereign authority, and compassion.

Psalm 137 is a lament by the Babylonian exiles, a vow to remain loyal to Jerusalem, and an appeal for God to avenge the injustices they have suffered at the hands of their enemies.

Join me in Psalms 132-137 and remember all the good things God has done for you!

Key verses:

Psalms 132:13

Psalms 133:1

Psalms 134:2

Psalms 135:5

Psalms 136:26

Psalms 137:4

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Day 185 of the podcast, reading Psalms 120-131 NET, read along at:

This is day 185 of our journey.

Today we read 12 Psalms of ascent.  These psalms were written to be sung by the people of Israel as they were ascending the hills into Jerusalem. They glory in the majesty of the city, but recognize that their help comes from the Lord and not from man-made walls or human strength.  These psalms speak to the deliverance of the Lord in times of trouble and hardship.  They recognize that only God can make a plan succeed.  They praise God for his forgiveness of sins.

Join me in Psalms 120-131 and place your hope in the Lord!

Key verses:

Psalms 120:1

Psalms 121:5

Psalms 122:1

Psalms 123:3

Psalms 124:8

Psalms 125:1

Psalms 126:5

Psalms 127:1

Psalms 128:1

Psalms 129:2

Psalms 130:3

Psalms 131:3

All Scriptures are from the NET.