Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Summary: Solomon’s ongoing contrast between the righteous and the wicked takes an interesting turn. Here he compares caring for animals with acts of kindness.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:10 — A Measure of Kindness”
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
Summary: How do we relate to people with servants? Actually, it is quite easy. If you have a toaster, you have an electric servant.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:9 — The Obvious”
A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped mind is despised.
Summary: Today’s simple passage provides an important clue to applying God’s will in the world.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:8 — Opinions”
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.
Summary: How are we to understand some of the things Solomon says? Today’s passage is a good example. Are the wicked really “no more?” Seeing things as God sees them helps us understand the words he gave to Solomon to write down.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:7 — Eternal Perspective”
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
Summary: This passage provides another argument for righteousness before God. The wisdom God provides to those who ask gives us the words we need to avoid the wicked.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:6 — The Best Defense”
The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
Summary: On this 4th of July let us remember that this nation was not founded on the will of men, but on the will of God.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:5 — July 4th”
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Summary: Solomon switches gears suddenly and turns his focus on the married. How does our faith in God impact our relationship with our spouse? If we do a little reading between the lines we see that there is a right way and a wrong way to be a spouse.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:4 — Double Crown”
No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Summary: This passage is a powerful encouragement in times of trouble. It points us to our need for God and his faithfulness to those who rely on him.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:3 — Deep Roots”
Good people obtain favor from the Lord,
but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
Summary: Are you a “good person?” That question is one that we should ponder now and then. The favor of the Lord depends on the answer.
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:2 — Favor”
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Summary: Calling someone “stupid” is a big deal in our society. It seems like turning on the TV is an invitation to have someone call me stupid. People are yelling and screaming as if that is going to convince someone to change their mind. So who is stupid?
Continue reading “Proverbs 12:1 — Stupid is as Stupid Does”