Read – Ecclesiastes 2

What does it say?
Solomon observed that pleasures, possessions, wisdom, and hard work are futile without God. True wisdom, knowledge, and joy come only from the hand of God.

What does it mean?
Solomon had everything that anyone could ever hope to have. Yet when he considered it all, he realized that his fate would be the same as that of a foolish man. Death would come to both, and all he had worked for would be left behind. Without God, a person has only the satisfaction of the immediate moment, and even that holds no lasting value. However, God gives those who live to please Him satisfaction in their work because it is accompanied with wisdom, knowledge, and joy. When work has eternal purpose, it gives lasting satisfaction. Only what is done for and through God provides meaning.

How should I respond?
What things have you been working hard to possess and enjoy? From what are you trying to gain satisfaction: the perfect career, a dream home, or a big bank account? Contentment based on such things rises and falls as possessions and accomplishments come and go. Complete satisfaction is the result of desiring the same things God desires and living to please Him (Psalm 37:4). What personal desire needs to bend to God’s desires? What pursuit is He prompting you to stop? Our society may tell you to live for the moment, but the wisdom of God urges us to live for eternity.

Read – Ecclesiastes 1

What does it say?
Solomon, son of David and king over Israel, had gained more knowledge than all before him. Solomon found everything was meaningless and futile, a chasing after the wind.

What does it mean?
God had given Solomon unmatched wisdom, knowledge, and wealth. Yet as he reflected on nature, past generations, and human effort in general, he found no meaning in any of it. Ecclesiastes was written near the end of Solomon’s life. All of the things that had once seemed important are now described as a “chasing after the wind.” He realized that everything in life is endless repetition. What has already happened will happen again and will one day be forgotten. Since life’s meaning cannot be found in any effort of mankind, its true meaning must be found somewhere else.

How should I respond?
Think about trying to catch the wind. It is as futile as children trying to catch their shadow – a meaningless task that can never be completed. Yet how many times do we “chase the wind” as adults? “If I get that promotion, I can spend more time with the family.” Or, “When I pay off this debt, I’ll have money to help others.” What are you chasing right now? Whatever you try to do in your own strength and effort will ultimately be meaningless. Determine today to live for Christ. It’s only then that you’ll find life’s true meaning and purpose.

Read – Proverbs 31:10-31

What does it say?
Her children, husband, and community praise a wife of noble character for her excellence.

What does it mean?
An excellent wife is known for her spiritual wisdom, practical wisdom, and moral virtues. The loyalty, support, and respect she gives to her husband cause him to trust her completely. She manages their home, prepares food for her family, and plans ahead for the future. Being resourceful in investing enables her to be generous to the poor and needy. Her delight in being a mother shows as she instructs her children with wisdom and kindness. The praise she receives from her family and community is the reward of her lifelong diligence. The key to godly character is fear and reverence for the Lord.

How should I respond?
True godly character only comes from the Lord. Knowing God personally gives you continuous access to His divine guidance through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and prayer. As you fear and reverence God, He will enable you to become the godly person He created you to be. When your responsibilities seem overwhelming, where do you turn for help? Remember, the Lord is available and able 24/7. He can empower you to carry out your tasks diligently and accomplish necessary goals. Godly character will develop as the Lord works through you, and you will be blessed while blessing others.

Read – Proverbs 31:1-9

What does it say?
King Lemuel’s godly mother warned him about wayward women, wine, and injustice.

What does it mean?
King Lemuel’s mother loved him enough to instruct him according to the way of the Lord. She cautioned him against giving himself to wayward women so that he would not experience the debilitating effects of immorality. As a king, he would need to have a clear mind in order to decree judgments; therefore, his mother advised against wine and strong drink. Seeking justice for the unfortunate, afflicted, and needy was also a duty of the king. She taught him to carry out justice by ruling righteously with compassion. King Lemuel stood to gain much by following her godly advice.

How should I respond?
Scripture instructs us to teach our children the way of the Lord. How do you accomplish this most important task? As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher and role model. You teach every moment by your words, actions, attitudes, and choices. What areas of your life do you need to bring under the Lord’s control in order to honor Him? Have you found ways to communicate Scripture with your children daily on age-appropriate levels? God’s Word is a believer’s instruction manual for life. As you train your children to believe and obey His Word, your godly influence will become your legacy.

Read – Proverbs 29:11,20

What does it say?
It is foolish to speak in haste or in anger. A wise person maintains self-control when he speaks.

What does it mean?
Woven within this chapter are great nuggets of truth regarding speech. First, the person who allows anger to rule his tongue causes hurt and frustration. It is better to calm down before speaking. A wise person understands the benefits of maintaining self-control in heated conversations. Secondly, the person who speaks before he knows all the facts makes costly mistakes. His words show no thought, whereas a wise person listens and gains information in order to speak carefully and thoughtfully.

How should I respond?
Harsh words spoken when emotions are running high will damage your relationships. Wait until you have control of your emotions before emailing, texting, or having a face-to-face confrontation. Don’t let anger get the best of you. Review all that was said. Is it possible there is something deeper going on? How can you help rather than harm the relationship in a moment of anger? Being cautious of how you respond to a difficult situation demonstrates strength and wisdom. Remember, it’s more important to preserve a relationship than to foolishly vent your feelings.

Read – Proverbs 28:15-28

What does it say?
Those who are faithful and generous will prosper, whereas those who are selfish and greedy end up in poverty.

What does it mean?
The Lord provides for those who put their trust in Him. In most cases, God’s provision comes through the ability to work hard. The person who does so with honesty and integrity is trustworthy and has no reason to look over his shoulder in fear. Because he trusts in the Lord to provide, he is free to be generous to those who have less. By contrast, the stingy and greedy person cannot be blessed by the Lord. He tries to take the easy way out and gain riches dishonestly by chasing worthless schemes. Ironically, people who are eager to get rich often end up in poverty due to foolishly trusting their own judgment.

How should I respond?
Our definition of prosperity in America is somewhat skewed from what it means in other parts of the world. We have become so accustomed to having an overabundance of “stuff” that we fail to recognize the meeting of our daily needs as a divine blessing. Instead, we often expect a certain level of provision that includes luxury and excess. With whom is God prompting you to share His provision? What are you willing to do without in order to be generous? Trust God with all that you have by giving others what they need. Your generosity may very well draw them to Christ.

Read – Proverbs 27:1-17

What does it say?
A friend gives counsel and praise, as well as rebuke when needed.

What does it mean?
The meaning of true friendship comes across throughout these verses. Friends praise each other’s qualities and accomplishments, but genuine care for another person is proven in difficulty. A bona fide friend doesn’t hesitate to be honest, even when it’s difficult. Although the words may initially sting, they are more profitable than false praise intended to manipulate. When a crisis comes, that same person is generous with his time, helping in any way he can. True friendships are marked by mutual love and honesty. Over time, each helps the other to improve.

How should I respond?
Let’s take a friendship quiz. Jot down the names of people who have given you some kind of praise recently. Next, think of people who’ve taken time to offer you wise counsel. Do any of the names match up? Now include anyone who helped you during a personal or family crisis. Has the list gotten smaller? Finally, write down the name of someone who cared enough to lovingly warn against a questionable decision or a character flaw. Look over your list – do one or two names show up more than once – perhaps three times? Those are true friends! How many times would your name be on their lists? Find a way to let them know that you’re a better person for knowing them.

Read – Proverbs 26:1-12

What does it say?
It is difficult for a fool to understand or apply wisdom, but there is more hope for him than for a person full of pride.

What does it mean?
The book of Proverbs gives many examples of the effects of foolish behavior. These verses, however, deal specifically with the consequences of trusting someone who is foolish. Hiring a fool or placing him in a position of responsibility and honor is not wise. He seldom learns from his mistakes and rarely takes wise counsel to heart. While some of his nonsense can be overlooked, correction has to be given when foolishness gets out of hand. The person dealing with a fool should guard against speaking from his own wisdom. Not recognizing pride or self-conceit is worse than being foolish.

How should I respond?
Proverbs tells us over and over again that the Lord is the only true source of wisdom. That’s why it’s best to be cautious when dealing with someone who doesn’t understand – or refuses to believe in – the Word of God. Relationships and friendships can be tested when one person continues to act foolishly. So how should you proceed? First, speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Also, be careful to avoid becoming conceited regarding your advice or understanding of Scripture. After all, any wisdom you have is solely because of the Lord. Pride will only serve to blind you to your own needs.

Read – Proverbs 24:23-34

What does it say?
A wise man learned a lesson from the poor condition of the lazy man’s field: too much sleep and folding of the hands will lead to poverty.

What does it mean?
Several character traits emerge from today’s passage: justice, honesty, and diligence. Wisdom leads a person to strengthen and practice such godly characteristics through observation. The writer saw a man who neglected his fields; because the man allowed thorns and weeds to choke out his crop, he had no way to provide for his household. A wise person is able to learn from the mistakes of others so that he will not make the same mistakes himself. He also sees life lessons in the natural order of the world.

How should I respond?
If you’ve ever done a school science project, you know that there is a difference between seeing and observing. Observing includes watching carefully in order to arrive at a conclusion. Today’s Proverbs encourage us to gain wisdom from what we observe in nature and in the lives of others. Which character trait from today’s passage needs to be developed more fully in your life? Today, take notice of people who are either very strong or very weak in that trait. Look for the way God has demonstrated that attribute in nature. What lesson or warning can you take from your observations? Does someone else receive encouragement or a warning by observing you?

Read – Proverbs 24:1-10

What does it say?
A wise person builds and gains strength, but a fool plots and schemes evil.

What does it mean?
Proverbs once again contrasts the wise and the foolish. A wise man has strength for whatever he undertakes because he doesn’t rely solely on his own knowledge. He seeks to understand more by listening to the counsel of others. The arrogance of a foolish person, however, keeps him from comprehending wisdom when he hears it. When people of knowledge and understanding talk, he has nothing to contribute. He instead falls in with those who talk about making trouble. Because foolish people rely on their own knowledge, they prove to be weak when difficulties come their way.

How should I respond?
Although our culture places value on self-made men, today’s passage supports the idiom that there is strength in numbers. Relying on your own knowledge and power can only get you so far, even with the noblest of intentions. What endeavors are you undertaking at the moment? Has pride kept you from listening to or accepting help from other people? One of the main lessons from Proverbs is to regularly ask God for wisdom to deal with everyday life. As you grow in wisdom, you’ll begin to recognize wisdom when you hear it. Whose advice do you need to seek today? Remember, relying on your own understanding is weakness, not strength.

Read – Proverbs 23:12-35

What does it say?
The Sayings of the Wise warn against envying sinners who indulge in drunkenness, gluttony, and promiscuity. The wise son applies truth, discipline, and understanding.

What does it mean?
Today’s passage looks at a wise father’s desires for his son. He instructed his child to spend time in pursuits that have lasting value rather than temporary pleasures that would eventually trap him. Listening to and following the father’s instructions would result in wise choices. He taught his son to have a proper view of the Lord and to accurately assess the consequences of rejecting godly wisdom. The father used discipline to keep his child from physical and spiritual danger. Both parents anticipated the joy of watching their son choose wisdom and righteousness over a lifestyle of sin.

How should I respond?
Parenting is both exhausting and exhilarating. No other role brings such joy. But parents must first help kids navigate the minefield of adolescence and early adulthood. What is your greatest desire for your children … happiness or holiness? If you only want them to be happy, you’ll find yourself giving in to their latest whim, tantrum, or mood. Directing children toward holiness, however, must be done intentionally. How does your parenting style match up with the wise father in Proverbs 23? What discipline is needed for your child’s physical or spiritual protection? Ask God for the wisdom to raise wise children.

Read – Proverbs 22:17-29

What does it say?
When wise, true, and reliable teaching is applied to the heart, it increases trust in the Lord and provides a person with sound answers.

What does it mean?
Solomon compiled 30 true and reliable sayings from other wise men to impart knowledge and wisdom to his readers (22:22 – 24:34). Even though he was considered the wisest of the wise, Solomon listened to what others had to say. He gave his reader four actions to take: pay attention, listen, apply the teaching, and keep the truths in your heart. Life change isn’t created by simply listening to wise and godly teaching – it must be pursued by meditating on the passage of Scripture and putting into practice what you learn. As a result, trust in God increases, and trustworthy advice can be given to others.

How should I respond?
To whom do you turn for advice? What is their source of knowledge and wisdom? If those you turn to are getting their answers for life anywhere other than Scripture, their advice is risky. So how can we follow Solomon’s prescription for wisdom today? First, recognize that God’s Word is the only reliable source of wisdom. Pay attention to what it says and listen to others who trust Scripture as the final authority for their lives. Then really think about the implication of a particular passage. How can you put it into practice immediately? Knowledge comes from reading and listening, but wisdom is the result of applying that knowledge.

Read – Proverbs 21

What does it say?
God sees the hearts of both the wicked and the wise and righteous. No human wisdom or plan can succeed against the Lord.

What does it mean?
This chapter begins and ends with God’s sovereign control over all, including the most powerful people. Any human effort that opposes God’s plan will ultimately fail. He knows the human heart even better than the individual knows himself; His assessment of a person’s motives is always correct. A clear contrast is drawn between the wicked and the righteous. The wicked – described as arrogant, hypocritical, violent, mean, and deceitful – will be punished because they refuse to do what’s right. The righteous – marked by love, wisdom, generosity, and justice – are blessed here on earth and rewarded eternally.

How should I respond?
The cause of those who oppose Christ is advancing at an alarming pace. Prayer and Scripture are being systematically removed from our culture. The number of Christians being martyred for their faith has doubled in recent years. At times evil may seem to be winning, but its momentary success will ultimately fall to the Lord’s triumph. The ungodly may plot and plan, but God’s purposes will succeed. When God looks at your heart, are you among the righteous or the wicked? You may not be violent or mean, but are you guilty of being arrogant, deceitful, or hypocritical? Ask God to show you the truth about your own heart; then allow Him to use you to accomplish His purpose and plan.