Focus
Let your soul take a moment of rest as you hear God’s word. Put your busy schedule, wandering mind, stressful thoughts, and burdened heart at the feet of the cross and open up to God’s voice as the Giver of Life tends your soul.
Read
Proverbs 15:1-17
New Revised Standard Version
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way,
but one who hates a rebuke will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
how much more human hearts!
12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
they will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are hard,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
Reflect
“Better is…”
These two simple words that the writer of Proverb 15 uses to begin verses 16 and 17 remind me that I am blessed beyond measure. I don’t need to surround myself with material things. I don’t need to have “the best of the best,” the “latest and greatest,” the top of the line anything. Even if I had the biggest house in the neighborhood, or the nicest car, or that $328 Kate Spade work bag that makes me swoon, chances are it will never be enough.
God gives us all that we could ever want or need. With God. Better is the day, even the bad ones. Better is the day when we call upon the LORD. Better is the day when we have faith. Better is the day when we surround ourselves with family and friends we love and who love us.
Better is life with love, faith, hope, and joy – none of which can be bought, or even found in worldly possessions.
Pray
God of heaven, only you can offer us better days, better weeks, better months, better years, and better lives. Help us to look to you and accept all that is better. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.
Go with God!
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