Learning to Walk in Wisdom One Choice at a Time - Your Nightly Scripture - July 2nd

Learning the Way of Wisdom One Choice at a Time

Evening Scripture

Proverbs 10
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.

The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Evening Reflection

Our entire life is made up of choices. While many seem neutral and not life-altering, they say a lot about who we are at the core. What do we prioritize most? Who gets our best? How do we treat our bodies? The list goes on, and as we start to add up the answers to these questions, I think we begin to realize that all our choices do matter. The big and small, and God’s word makes that clear, too.

Proverbs 10 provides a clear view of the importance of walking in the ways of the Lord. It reveals that God cares about all our choices and that He is with us as we make them. There is never a time when we are alone, and He is always available to us to ask for His guidance. Better yet, He desires for us to invite Him in and seek His voice for clarity.

As we journey through our days, we can rest in the promise that God does not lift His hands from His people. We are always within His reach and view. Even when we stumble, He provides the grace to draw near to Him. We will not get our life perfect on this side of heaven, and the Lord does not desire for you to live under the weight of perfectionism. He wants you to walk faithfully with Him, as best as you can. He desires for you to live within His parameters and guidelines to keep you from heartache and hardship, because He loves you.

Rest in His great love and unending wisdom.

Evening Prayer

Father,
What a gift it is to live under your grace. Thank you for forgiving the choices I made that were not aligned with your desires for me. As I continue to grow in my walk and desire understanding of your word, keep me encouraged on my journey. Holy Spirit, give me a heart that longs to know my Creator more deeply and keep my feet walking faithfully on the path set before me. I pray for a Spirit that endures well as I make choices that glorify and honor you, Father. 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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