Today's Verse - Proverbs 20:22

Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

—Proverbs 20:22

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Vengeance is an awful and painful way to respond to those we feel have wronged us. The LORD is our assurance of genuine justice, so let's leave our being wronged to God. Let him bring justice. As the apostle Paul taught:

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21)

Escalating vengeance and trying to make things "come out even" only leads to broken people and broken lives. Worse yet, it leads to broken character in us!

My Prayer...

Through your Spirit, Abba Father, please empower me to be patient as you right the wrongs and injustices committed against me and the wrongs done to me. I need the Spirit's power to overcome my desire for revenge against those who have wronged me and to have patience while waiting for you to make things right. Please help me to be more concerned about the salvation of those who may have wronged me than I am about getting even with them. Please give me more of a heart like your Son, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Psalm 37:16-17

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

—Psalm 37:16-17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Which is your most important investment: Your money or your character? I can assure you, this question will be asked of you in a myriad of ways, quite often at the worst times and when you are most vulnerable. Martin Luther supposedly said that the last thing converted in a person is their wallet. So will you choose the little of the righteous over the wealth of the wicked? Hmmm! Tricky question if we are honest with ourselves. So let's make that decision now before the circumstances change, our vulnerability goes up, and temptation comes knocking on the door of our hearts. God, his Kingdom, will, and righteousness come first, right? Yes, it must, and for us, with each other's help, it will!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, creator and owner of everything, please give us love for righteousness and a disdain for greed and covetousness. We want to serve you with undivided hearts that cannot be swayed by the material values involved in a decision. Please help us know and do what is righteous. Please help us make our decisions based on what is pleasing to you, aligns with your will, and honors your righteousness. To honor Jesus our LORD, and to give glory to you and live your truth, O Father, we pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

—John 17:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer right before his Passion, is our great example of how we can and must pray for God's spiritual protection over those we love. The LORD Jesus knew what would happen to him, yet chose to pray for them rather than focusing on himself. Praying for them was that important to the LORD! His disciples could not leave the world and still serve the world and reach the lost with God's grace. So, Jesus prayed protection over them and for them. Jesus' example is our command to pray for God to protect his disciples from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). The apostle Paul reminds us:

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

We need to pray following the LORD's example!

My Prayer...

Loving and Tender Shepherd, the great Guardian of the Flock, please physically and spiritually protect your people from evil and the evil one. We trust in your faithfulness to strengthen and protect them. In the name of Jesus and following his example, we offer ourselves and our prayers to you. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.