Choosing God’s Wisdom for My Journey - Your Nightly Scripture - July 23rd

Choosing God’s Wisdom for My Journey

Evening Scripture

Proverbs 22 
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all.
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”

The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Saying 1
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,I teach you today, even you.
Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?

Saying 2
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Saying 3
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Saying 4
Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Saying 5
Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6
Do you see someone skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

Evening Reflection

Life throws a million curveballs. Sometimes it feels as if they all come at once, and by the grace of God, as they do, the Lord promises to pour out His wisdom, which flows forth as we navigate the issues that come with them. In Proverbs 22, we’re told, “That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you.” We can trust in God’s heart to be faithful despite what we may be walking through.

Ponder the life of David in the Bible, or even what the disciples, who carried the gospel to many nations, endured. Curveball after curveball. Choice after choice. They could either trust in the heart of God as they faced disparity and circumstances that asked much of them, or they could falter and fall into tremendous worry and fear.

They chose to trust. They trusted the wisdom of God to carry them through whatever was presented to them that day. I think that’s one of the greatest things we learn from scripture: they didn’t know much of what was coming, and when faced with big asks from God or the persecution of man, most often they kept walking forward.

You have the same invitation to do so. You can trust in God's wisdom and instruction. Not out of fear, but knowing that out of His great love for you, He has given you a book full of wisdom and the Spirit of God to lead you as you journey out your faith in the day-to-day. No matter what tomorrow holds, trust the heart of God to guide you. The wisdom of the Lord and confidence in who He says He is will carry you through anything.

Evening Prayer

Father,
Thank you for the wisdom you generously pour out over me. As the curveballs of my life come, help me to keep my eyes on you as the faithful guide. Make me a brave and bold disciple in the places you have me. Make my life a great witness, one marked by faith in who you are. You are the one constant in my life. You are my only hope. Lead me in your ways and make known to me where your Spirit is leading me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.

Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3

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