"The Key to EVERYTHING" April 14 Readings: Proverbs 20-24

  

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: Proverbs 20-24

Background:  

Today's reading encompasses three collections. It concludes the 191 proverbs applying God's wisdom to life situations that began in Proverbs 16:1, then includes two different "Sayings of the Wise," proverbs that come from sources other than Solomon. 

Daily Devotional: The Key to EVERYTHING

How is that title for a bit of hyperbole? But when you read Proverbs, it actually isn't. In fact, the point I will make today is one of the clear teachings in all of Scripture.

What is the root of all sin? The Bible makes that pretty clear. We read stories of what caused the greatest of the angelic beings to rebel against God and become Satan, the accuser, the enemy of God. We then see that same creature, in the form of a serpent, speaking to Adam and Eve and appealing to them on the same basis. The sin was pride. Rather than serving God, Adam and Eve could "become like gods" instead, if they only sinned.

Pride is an insult to God - when we lift ourselves up to a place we do not deserve we automatically demean God. Pride is rebellion, the failure to recognize God for who he is and see ourselves in the light of his glory and greatness.

And pride is self-destructive. The proud cannot experience God's blessings or power, eliminating themselves by their arrogance.

Proverbs has a lot to say about the dangers of pride and the blessings of humility.  Proverbs 22:4 is one of those verses.

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord

    is riches and honor and life.

I would direct the reader, if you are using the links above, to the note at the bottom of the page. It gives a secondary translation. "The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord and riches and honor and life." What is clear in this verse and in the rest of Proverbs is that the fear of the Lord is the key to all the blessings that God has for us as his people. But to fear God we must humble ourselves - stop relying on our own wisdom and thinking so highly of ourselves.

Humility is part and parcel of a proper relationship with God and an attitude of holy awe, of respectful fear. We cannot walk with God and walk in pride at the same time. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord," God's word commands.

When we humble ourselves before God, he lifts us up and pours out blessings on us. Our verse today describes them as wealth, honor, and life. Humility brings blessing.

Father, may I walk in humility, recognizing that I am nothing without you, that it is only by your grace that I stand. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Do you live in the fear of the Lord?
That is the key to everything else in life!