How does God want you to treat people? Two verses in Proverbs 3 challenge us regarding our relationships with those around us:
:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”
:29 “Do not devise harm against your neighbor, while he lives securely beside you.”
People may tend to focus on one of these more than the other: Continue reading
David’s prayer in Psalm 25:16 is a little gospel in miniature: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” At least two elements in this verse are significant: what he realizes about himself, and what he asks God to do for him: Continue reading
Proverbs 2:11-13 contains a great Biblical prayer to pray for younger loved ones, like teenaged & college students, and younger adults: “Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.” Of course, as with all scripture, the context of these verses is also important: Continue reading
People seem to think that they can respond to God whenever they feel like it, but scripture points to an opposite reality. Proverbs 1:28 says, “Then they will call on me and I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me.” Continue reading
Many people claim to be “a friend of God”, but the Bible indicates that number may be far fewer in actuality. Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make known to them His covenant.”
The word translated “secret” by the NASB here is the Hebrew word “sod”, which BDB tells us means “secret, scheme, intimacy.” So the ESV translation “friendship” may not be a bad one. But notice for WHOM this “intimacy” with God is reserved: Continue reading
After a brief introduction to the book, the wisdom of Proverbs begins in earnest in verse 10: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” It is no coincidence that the first word of wisdom given after the introduction is to avoid temptations to sin. It is a word many of us today need to heed as well. Continue reading
We know who wrote the Book of Proverbs; verse 1 says they are the “proverbs of Solomon the son of David, King of Israel.” But who are they written FOR? Verses 4 & 5 give us the answer: Continue reading
Job 42:10 contains an interesting detail regarding Job’s restoration by God after his trial. It says: “YHWH restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends.” Those last words may hold an important key to our own restoration and blessing. Continue reading
Scripture records two responses of Job to God’s appearance to him in the whirlwind. After God first spoke, Job answers in 40:3-5. But God was not finished. He continued to ask Job questions and reveal His glory through His creation, until Job gave a second, more thorough answer in 42:1-6. This sequence gives us some insight into God’s dealings with us as well. Continue reading
Many people spend their lives trying to get God to “owe” them salvation, or blessing, or answered prayer, etc. But in Job 41:11 we find God stating an important principle: He doesn’t owe anyone anything!
“Who has given to Me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” Continue reading
I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
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