Category: Daily Thought

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A Silly Question

Daily Reading

Proverbs 24-26

Daily Thought

A silly question has been asked, “Can God create a rock so big he cannot lift it?” The answer? Yes, and then he would pick it up. A nonsense response to a nonsense question, but nonsense plus nonsense equals nonsense. Where is the wisdom?

Enter Proverbs, the book of wisdom, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes” (Proverbs 26:4-5). This sounds like two proverbs that do not get along with each other. Which is it? Do I respond or ignore the fool?

Jesus was approached by a group of Sadducees, religious leaders “who say that there is no resurrection” (Matthew 22:23). Fools. They riddle Jesus, “A guy marries a girl, but he dies, so his brother marries her, but he dies, and so on, seven times. Then she dies. After they are raised from the dead, which of the seven brothers is her husband?” A silly question Jesus does not answer according to their folly, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:29-30). Then Jesus answers the question they did not ask, their true folly. “As for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:31-32).

Never allow the fool to set the terms of a conversation. Wisdom sets the agenda, “and when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching” (Matthew 22:33).

Daily Prayer

My Righteous God, You passionately defend Your Name, because Your Name is good. You come with peace, but also with a sword. You fight for what is right because You care for the poor, the weak, the humble, and the broken. I fight for what is wrong because I care for myself.

Teach me to be passionate about the right things. You have not asked me to be timid, but to be courageous, yet gentle.  You gave me a Spirit of power and love and discipline. Give me also the wisdom to do what is right, to keep from sinning when I am properly angry, and to love and promote peace whenever possible.

Amen

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What Is Truth?

Daily Reading

Proverbs 22-23

Daily Thought

There are things more important than money. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1). Place no price tag on your reputation; it is not for sale. Pursue integrity and honesty, delight in truth and wisdom. “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23). Find truth and keep it, says Proverbs. 

Pilate infamously asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), and humanity has forever sought the answer. Embroidered on the gates guarding Harvard Yard is the Latin word, “Veritas”—Truth. It is the motto of Harvard University; Harvard seeks the answer to Pilate’s question. I walked under those gates (a visitor, not a student), and was greeted by a statue of a seated John Harvard. Except it wasn’t. A plaque states, “John Harvard, Founder, 1638.” Nope, it’s not John–a model stood in. Besides John was not the founder, but he did contribute a LOT of money. In 1636, not 1638. One statue, three lies.  Truth was sold. Alas, the gates that proclaim “Truth” could not keep it.

Truth eluded Pilate because he was a politician looking for something he could use, but truth is something you serve, in truth, some One you follow. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Truth was standing right in front of him.

Daily Prayer

Dear God, I love reading Your Word. I learn so much about You, and about me. Frankly,  I don’t always love learning about me, but I have learned to love the Truth and Your Word is Truth. It reveals Your glory and it exposes my sin. As painful as that often is, God, it is good because it leads me to Your grace, which returns me to Your glory.

God, even while I reject You and rebel against You, You love me so much that You seek me out. You expose my sin with Truth, not to condemn me, but to turn my heart back to You. It opens the door for Your love and grace. I love Truth, God. I love You.

Amen

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That’s Just Stupid

Daily Reading

Proverbs 19-21

Daily Thought

Proverbs speaks highly of this thing called the fear of the Lord, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). It persists throughout the book and is always a good thing, “the fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied” (Proverbs 19:23). Fear seems oddly out of place when we think of our God, full of love and grace and goodness. Why would we be told to fear? Good question, but try turning it around. Picture the guy standing tall and boasting, “I don’t fear God.” Well, that’s just stupid.

I remember December 1973, when Dad entrusted me with the keys to his brown 1963 Ford Galaxie. I loved that car! I was young, 16, and did not have a proper appreciation of two tons of steel and power and speed. And I drove like it. Now jump forward to July 2004, as I hand Abby, my first child, the keys to the family Suburban. As I put them in her hand, I feel the size, the weight, the speed, and the power. I understand, more than ever before, how fear can be a good thing. I hope she has some–it is where wisdom blossoms.

Peter had answered rightly, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:16-19).

The church has the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Our Father hands us the keys to his Kingdom. Consider the size and the weight and the power in our possession. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Daily Prayer

Great and awesome God, Almighty and Everlasting, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. That You even think about me is amazing, that You have saved me, adopted me into Your family, that I share in the inheritance of Your riches, that Your Holy Spirit has taken residence in me, that I am a child of God, welcomed to Your presence, forever a citizen of Your Kingdom. Wow. Thank You. I worship You. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.

May my life reflect Your glory.

Amen

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If You Can’t Say Anything Nice

Daily Reading

Proverbs 16-18

Daily Thought

The book of Proverbs has much to say about what we say, both good, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24); and bad, “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating” (Proverbs 18:8). Its best advice–handle your words with care. “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27). Author George Eliot counseled, “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact”; and my dad frequently advised, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Good advice all.

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt,” has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Socrates, and many others, but Proverbs said it first, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (Proverbs 17:28). Proverbs makes it clear that intelligence and wisdom are not at all the same, and frequently in opposition; no more so than when we use our words. Our intelligence is oft displayed in what we say; our wisdom in what we don’t.

Daily Prayer

Our Wonderful God, when You speak, amazing things happen. The world was created. You spoke the Law that gives us life. And Jesus, the epitome of Your Word, walked on earth. You still speak; may I listen. More than that, may I obey. May I love Your Word.

God, may I also be one who speaks in a way that reflects well on You. May I always seek to bring You glory in all I do, and in all I say, and often enough, in what I don’t say. May my words be measured, and may they be good.

Amen

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Lots of Kids

Daily Reading

Proverbs 13-15

Daily Thought

We had LOTS of kids on New Dawn Drive, the street I grew up on. My brother Drew, Andy and Ronnie, Colleen and Russell, Ricky, Karen, and Alison, Laurie and Craig, Gina, Debbie and Richie, Michael, and Little David. I was Big Dave. There were older people, too. Chuck and Thelma were a couple of the old people living on my street. They were nice people, but no children, and none of us kids ever got in their house–and we got into everybody’s house. Their house was like a museum.

I mowed their lawn, so I was the only kid who made it inside. They had really nice stuff, beautiful chairs and sofas and tables, and all of it was covered. Their carpet was covered, too. Even their Oldsmobile had seat covers. Remember those plastic seat covers with all the bubbles? I don’t think anybody’s feet or rear ends ever touched the actual material of anything.

They died a number of years ago. Alone. I was sad because I liked them. I hear their stuff was still really nice. Almost like new.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. ~Proverbs 14:4

Daily Prayer

Father God, Creator. You made this world and You called it good. And it was good. It will be again. But at the moment it’s messy, and that’s my fault. Our fault. We people decided to do things our way. God, if You hadn’t created us, Your world would be a lot more peaceful, maybe. Forgive us for the mess we make.

What amazes me is that You still find joy in me. And pleasure. And you love me. So much that You did what it took to bring me back into Your family. God, it amazes me how You create so much delight out of the so much trouble we create. You are a wonderful Father.

Amen

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Even When It Hurts

Daily Reading

Proverbs 10-12

Daily Thought

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. ~Proverbs 10:9

The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. ~Proverbs 11:3

Proverbs are truths in a general sort of way; they do not work every time–sometimes the crooked gets away with the goods. But, in general, they describe life.

I am a John Wooden fan, and he is a man who walked in integrity. John Wooden was born in the Midwest, liked the Midwest, and wanted to stay forever in the Midwest. And he would if the University of Minnesota called him before the deadline, but they did not. So, in 1948, John Wooden agreed to go west to Westwood, leaving his beloved Midwest to coach the UCLA Bruins, a team that had three winning seasons in the previous 17 years and finished last last season.

Then Minnesota called, something about a snowstorm knocking out communication. They had tried to call before the deadline. It was a good honest excuse–it snows a lot in the Midwest. The job is yours, they said. Can you come? But John Wooden had given his word to UCLA.

O Lord, who shall may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He who keeps his oath
even when it hurts. ~Psalm 15:1, 4

John Wooden would never return to the Midwest. He stayed at UCLA, and for the next 27 years, UCLA did not have a losing season. The final twelve seasons under Wooden, UCLA collected 10 NCAA Championships. How? Coaching, discipline, determination, talent. But it began with integrity. A man kept his word.

Daily Prayer

Creator, by Your Word all things came into existence. You speak and it happens. Your Son is Your Word to this world. When we see “The Word,” Jesus, we see You because You are One: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

God, may my word be as true. May I speak without duplicity. May I always keep my word. You said I must walk in Your Word. Your Word is truth. If I am to be like You, God, then my word must be truth, as well.

Amen

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Turn On the Light

Daily Reading

Proverbs 7-9

Daily Thought

When you speak sin aloud, when you describe it accurately, the glamour fades. We prefer the secrecy of darkness; wisdom turns on the light. She knows what is going on, “For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense” (Proverbs 7:6-7). She knows what you are up to, why you are where you should not be, “passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house” (v 8), and when you should not be, “in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness” (v 9). She knows the tempting way of the wicked, “I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. For my husband is not at home” (vv 16-17, 19). And she knows you, “All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter” (v 22). 

She called you an ox. Wisdom does not flatter like that other woman, “the adulteress with her smooth words” (Proverbs 7:5).

Daily Prayer

My God, Creator of all, Author of good, Wise Judge, Loving Savior, I live this life for an audience of One. You are the crowd, it is Your applause I long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” May my life be a reflection of Your grace and goodness. May I at all times be concerned for Your reputation, not my own. If I say I love You with all my heart and soul, mind and strength, may my words be backed up by my life.

Amen

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Lady Wisdom

Daily Reading

Proverbs 4-6

Daily Thought

In God’s eyes, and therefore in reality, there are only two ways to live, two paths, one leading to life, the other to death. In Proverbs, the two paths are traveled by two women, each to her own way. One is Wisdom, and she is a lady; “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life” (Psalm 4:13). The other, not a lady, is “the evil woman, the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Her feet go down to death” (Proverbs 6:24; 5:5). It is we who seek shades of grey between, who want to keep a woman in each hand, but God says choose.

One woman is enticing and easy, “for the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (Proverbs 5:3). The pleasures are immediate, the dangers delayed, the temptation terrible. “Do not let her capture you with her eyelashes” (Proverbs 6:25). In contrast, the lady Wisdom must be pursued. You must want her and work for her; she doesn’t come easy. Proverbs 4:7 makes me laugh, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom”–like Steve Martin explaining how to become a millionaire, “First, get a million dollars.” It means, simply, to become wise you must want to become wise. You must choose to become wise, choose one woman over the other, because you must choose a path, and each woman has her own path. You must be willing to let go of that pleasingly available Wicked Woman of the moment and set your sights down the road.

Daily Prayer

God, forgive me the desires of the moment, of the immediate, of the attractive, of the available. Strengthen and deepen my desires, to love what is eternal and good, what never loses her beauty, what bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, what never ends.

Give me wisdom, Heavenly Father. I seek it and I will work for it. I will dig deep in Your Word and let it dig deep in me. I love the path of wisdom, the path of life, the path that leads to Your Kingdom forever.

Amen

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Common Sense

Daily Reading

Proverbs 1-3

Daily Thought

For a few years as a youth pastor, I took a youth choir on tour, and one stop was a California Youth Authority facility in Ione. By facility, I mean prison, and the teenagers there had committed the most violent crimes, arson, rape, even murder. At the end of a performance, the inmates were given an opportunity to speak to us, and the first rose and said, simply, “Listen to your mother.” Apparently he had not. What he said was a proverb, not unlike what we find in the first chapter of the biblical proverbs,

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8).

Proverbs are just that, simple slices of wisdom, often a couple lines long, poetic and easy to remember, and that’s the point. It is the simple, seemingly obvious things in life we neglect to our detriment. The book of Proverbs was written to make common common sense, “to know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth” (Proverbs 1:2-4).

Proverbs present a choice, a choice with consequences, “the wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace” (Proverbs 3:35). Results are not automatic; if you don’t listen to your mom, it does not mean you will end up in prison. But you have upped the odds.

Daily Prayer

My God, Creator of all, I’m going to ask for what Solomon asked for: wisdom. Teach me Your ways. I will stay on the path You put in front of me, I will follow You. As I do, God, may I know You better, may I understand You and the world You created, may I see more clearly the difference between right and wrong, and may my will be strengthened to choose rightly.

God, You have let me stand close to You. I trust You completely with everything, and deep down inside I know it would be foolishness to do anything but that. I know You hold all of life, all of what is good in Your hand. May I choose well, choose life, choose You. Simple choices matter; may I choose wisely.

Amen

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Praise God

Daily Reading

Psalm 146-150

Daily Thought

Twelve of the 13 lines of the final psalm begin with the word “praise.” The one that doesn’t ends with “praise the Lord,” and tells everything that has breath to do it. Jesus says even the rocks would cry out if the things that breathe did not (see Luke 19:40).

Look to the past, the stars, the sky, this vast universe, “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names” (Psalm 147:4); “he commanded and they were created” (Psalm 148:5). Peer into the future, “The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations” (Psalm 146:10). And in between, break out the band; “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalm 150:3-5).

The Psalms, Israel’s songbook, close with five songs of praise. Only praise. These 150 psalms teach me to pray, to speak with God, to ask questions, to complain, to celebrate, to share my troubles and my victories, to open my heart, to seek help; but always and ultimately at the end, to stop everything else and praise the Lord. All things begin and end with God.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! ~Psalm 150:6

Daily Prayer

My Creator, my God, when I star-gaze, I look at Your handiwork. Amazed by the universe, I am awed by You. You explode the universe into existence by Your Word, by Your breath. All things were designed and created by You and for You. May all creation glorify its Creator.

I worship and praise You.

Amen