SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people—I will certainly give you the wisdom…
Author: Norm
the ones Jesus celebrates
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 31 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. [Proverbs 31:8-9] Lemuel reflects on the purpose of power and authority entrusted to us by God – to speak up for the poor and…
just enough to honour God
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 30 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name?…
mercy for the oppressors
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 29 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The poor and the oppressor have this in common— the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. [Proverbs 29:13] This proverb reminded me about how Jesus describes the grace of God for the good and the bad: For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends…
the prayer God delights in
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. [Proverbs 28:13] Solomon observes that people who sin live in fear (Proverbs 28:1], but those who are honest about their sinful attitudes and behaviours can find mercy and freedom. Denial or pretending do not…
painful words that heal
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. [Proverbs 27:6] Two stories from the life of Jesus come to mind when I think about this passage. I recall how Jesus speaks sharply to Peter when he resists Jesus’ talk about going to Jerusalem to die. But Peter took…
foolish arguments
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. [Proverbs 26:4-5] These verses from Proverbs have always intrigued me. On the one hand, wisdom teaches that we should…
words that bless
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an axe, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. [Proverbs 25:18] You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you…
love my enemies?
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. [Proverbs 24:17-18] You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those…
addicted to sin
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the…