What a wonderful reminder that spiritual fruitfulness isn't limited to a particular season or age in our lives! 

Psalm 92 begins by reminding us that it is good to praise the Lord and proclaim His love and faithfulness (v.1). As we remain planted in His presence, our lives continue to flourish. Even in old age, we can still bear fruit, staying fresh and green (v.14). 

What a beautiful legacy to leave for the next generation. Our greatest testimony is not simply what we have

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Every building depends upon the strength of its foundation. What is often unseen determines whether the structure will stand when pressure comes. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (v.11) 

Paul reminds us that our faith is not in a person, nor is it reliant upon our own wisdom (v.18), because the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. 

Our foundation is Jesus Christ, and everything else must be built upon

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“Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips” (v19). The proverbs say that three types of people can cause trouble in a community. The liar (v18) is destructive, like a weapon of war. The “treacherous” or unreliable individual causes pain to others like an abscessed tooth, and the tactless person (v20) strips a person of comfort on a winter day. In contrast, those who can be counted on to do what they promise are refreshing to

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“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (v3-4). “A house,” a stable and fruitful life, is built by wisdom and understanding. The true “precious and pleasant riches” that fill the rooms of our lives are generosity and kindness, self-control and sacrifice, obedience to the Lord and endurance (v10). God’s ways of integrity, faithful work, and the willingness to help others gi

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“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist” (v4). While the proverbs encourage the virtue of hard work (Proverbs 6, the hard-working ant), they equally warn against the alluring temptation of pursuing wealth. Material goods and financial security are tools by which we can live faithful, useful lives for the Lord, but when we pursue them as goals, they deceive us and lead us to value the wrong things (v3). Wealth and other human achievements can be lost

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“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (v1). While the world offers us short-term profit and beautiful false images, the proverbs teach us about the unglamorous, slow, day-by-day process of building a “good name” and a solid life. Just like training a child takes time, the daily faithfulness of following God’s ways in our relationships and our work leads to abundant life (v4,6). He warns us against greed, lust, and a

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“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent” (v9-10). While God’s people experience real hardship and sorrow like everyone else, the psalmist declared that God does not allow evil to destroy us. The “wicked” (v8), those separated from God, are helpless against the enemy, but those who trust in the Lord live protected under “the shadow of the Almighty” (v1).

“You

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“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God” (v12). Paul used “spiritual” to mean people who have been given new life by God’s Spirit, and “natural” to mean those who remain dead in their sins. Those who follow the world’s ways (the “natural”) reject “the things of the Spirit of God” (v14) because God’s ways seem like “folly” to them. Once God’s love invades our hearts, His wa

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“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” (v28). The idea of God as Savior wasn’t new for the Jews or all that radical for Gentiles, who called their leaders “saviors”. The radical part was how God saved, and whom: Jesus was low and despised and suffered on a cross to achieve victory for everyone, even pagans; this was a “stumbling block” and “foolishness” (v23). It was a plan that “no human being” woul

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“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered” (13).  The proverbs teach that what we do has consequences, and actions flow from our hearts.  God wants us to pursue “righteousness and justice” on behalf of those around us (v3), rather than making sacrifices that give us a good reputation.  We easily justify all kinds of behavior, but “the Lord weighs the heart” (v3) and wants us to be holy.  “A wicked man puts on a bold face, but

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“Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” (v6).  The proverbs emphasize that behavior matter more than what we say about ourselves.  From childhood, we know that actions speak louder than words: “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright” (v11). Keeping our promises and treating others with kindness and respect creates generational blessings. “The righteous who walks in his integrity-- ble

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“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse” (v1).  Poverty was a terrible thing in ancient times, just like today.  Still, the Scripture says that being “a fool” – one who rejects the ways of God – is much worse than poverty.  Unfortunately, when we reject God’s path and choose our own (v3), sometimes we blame our “ruin” on God Himself, refusing to accept responsibility.  But the proverbs urge us to respect God, and in our obedience, we wi

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“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (v1).  Typically, when we want to do something that we think others won’t approve of, we do it quickly and without discussion.  But the proverbs remind us that “sound judgment” comes from being part of a healthy community, not from depending solely on ourselves and our own opinions (v2).  In the same way, our real security doesn’t depend on our own wealth or possessions (v11), but on

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“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (v12).  While we are bombarded by promises of looking younger and enjoying a longer, healthier life, the psalmist instead embraces the reality of death and shows us how to live well during our short years on earth.  We may experience “trouble and sorrow,” but God’s compassion and unfailing love never leave us (v13-14).  Rather than living in fear, guilt, and shame, we can confess our “secret sins” to our Sav

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“Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (v17).  Paul warned the Roman church that their unity could be disrupted.  They were working together, even risking their lives, but false teachers and those who loved conflict could cause divisions.  These people would not appear dangerous, but “by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve” (v18).  Paul wanted the Roman believer

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