January 17 

The Blessing of Wisdom

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:11-15; Genesis 35:1 – 36:43; Matthew 12:1-21; Proverbs 3:21-26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Proverbs 3:21-26

“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way with safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet . . . . The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared” (Proverbs 3:21-26, NIV).

The Proverbs present practical wisdom for everyday living. To apply these principles to life brings great blessing (3:13). The writer mentions some of those blessings: “long life are in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace” (16-17).

Perhaps the greatest blessing is the peace and assurance of knowing that you are walking in right relationship with God–of knowing that he is “your confidence” (26) and the one who will keep your foot from being snared.

Knowing that he can be trusted, that he is “our confidence,” brings peace in any circumstance. Knowing that he is there to keep us safe helps us deal with our fears. Resting in His everlasting arms, we are able to sleep at night (24).

To fail to heed God’s wisdom is to invite trouble and turmoil. Failing to live by his Word brings anxiety and fear. The fool who deviates from God’s path of wisdom has trouble sleeping at night.

God intends for us to live in the blessing that comes from walking in his wisdom. Knowing and applying these practical principles leads on the right path and keeps us from stumbling. The principles bring the potential for long, full lives lived with honor and under the blessing of God. As we walk in his truth, he becomes our peace and confidence and we are able to sleep sweetly without fear. This is the blessing of walking in God’s wisdom.

God of Wisdom, direct me toward the pleasant paths of peace. May I find the rest that comes from trusting your ways and leaning on your wisdom. Amen.

Digging Deeper

January 17 

The God Who Reveals

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 10:11-15; Genesis 35:1 – 36:43; Matthew 12:1-21; Proverbs 3:21-26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 35

“Come, let us go to Bethel, and I will build an altar there to the God who answered me when I was in distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3, Tanakh).

Bethel was a special place for Jacob. It was here that God had revealed himself. He had been in distress, and here he cried out in his need; God answered with his very presence.

At God’s prompting, Jacob returns to Bethel. But he and his family must be prepared. He encourages them to purify themselves, to rid themselves of idols, and to change their clothes.

They returned to Bethel. “And there he build an altar and named the site El-bethel, for it was there that God had revealed Himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother” (7).

God appears again at Bethel. This time with a name change and a blessing. He would now be known as “Israel” and would be blessed with the promises given to Abraham.

Israel sets up a monument. This is a place to be remembered. This is where he met God personally and powerfully. This is a place where his life and destiny were unalterably changed.

Perhaps you too have “Bethels”—places where God met you in your despair and need; places where he revealed himself and you were changed. It is good to remember those times, those places, those encounters with God.

Perhaps it is time for a return to Bethel— a time to remember how God met me in the past. Perhaps in preparing to return, there will a fresh encounter with God. These holy times must be remembered. These holy places memorialized. These holy moments experienced again and again.

God of Bethel, I celebrate the times you have met me in the past, and look forward to holy moments of your presence today and in days to come. Amen.