Verse from Proverbs

“在灭亡以先，必有骄傲；在跌倒以前，心中高傲。”

箴言 16:18 

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 16:18 

The account of King Nebuchadnezzar is an example of how pride can lead to a fall. The prophet Daniel reminded him that God had given him “dominion and power and might and glory” (Daniel 2:37). Nebuchadnezzar initially acknowledged Yahweh was “the God of gods and Lord of kings” (v. 47), but pride got the better of him when he ordered everyone to worship a ninety-foot-tall gold statue of himself (3:1–6). 

Ignoring God’s warning, he persisted in his pride and said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built . . . by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (4:30). Just as he was boasting about this, he was suddenly struck down by an illness, believed to be boanthropy, a rare mental disorder where a person believes he is a cow or ox (vv. 31–33). 

After seven years, God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity. Then he humbly confessed, “Now I . . . praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven. . . . Those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (v. 37). The arrogant king learned that “when pride comes, then comes disgrace” (Proverbs 11:2) and “pride brings a person low” (29:23).

When have you seen pride lead to disgrace?

Verse from 1 Peter

“最要紧的是彼此切实相爱，因为爱能遮掩许多的罪。”

彼得前书 4:8 

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 

Linus Van Pelt, better known as simply “Linus,” was a mainstay in the Peanuts comic strip. Witty and wise, yet insecure, Linus constantly carried a security blanket. We can identify. We have our fears and insecurities too.

The disciple Peter knew something about fear. When Jesus was arrested, Peter displayed courage by following the Lord into the courtyard of the high priest. But then he began to show his fear by lying to protect his identity (John 18:15–26). He spoke disgraceful words that denied his Lord. But Jesus never stopped loving Peter and ultimately restored him (see John 21:15–19).

Peter’s emphasis on love in 1 Peter 4:8 came from one who had experienced the deep love of Jesus. And he, in turn, stressed the importance of love in our relationships with the words “above all.” The intensity of the verse continues with the encouragement to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Father, 

Your love, in and through Jesus, 

has rescued us time and time again. 

Help me to be an instrument of Your saving love for others.

Verse from Job

“约伯却对她说：「你说话像愚顽的妇人一样。嗳！难道我们从上帝手里得福，不也受祸吗？」在这一切的事上约伯并不以口犯罪。”

约伯记 2:10 

“He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”

Job 2:10 

Job lost his children, his wealth, and his health. But after hearing the news, Job 1:20 tells us “he fell to the ground in worship.” When advised to curse God, he said, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (2:10). 

What a radical initial response. Though Job later complained, ultimately he accepted that God had never changed. Job knew that God was still with him and that He still cared.

Lord, 

prepare me for the times when praise is most difficult to utter.

Verse from John

“我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟随我。”

约翰福音 10:27 

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”

John 10:27 

He speaks to us every day, summoning us in our restlessness and our longing. He calls to us in our deepest sorrow and in the incompleteness and dissatisfaction of our greatest joys.

But primarily God speaks to us in His Word (1 Thessalonians 2:13). As you pick up His book and read it, you too will hear His voice. He loves you more than you can ever know, and He wants you to hear what He has to say.

Dear Lord, 

thank You for giving us Your Word. 

Help me to listen to Your voice as I spend time alone with You.

God speaks through His Word when we take time to listen.

Verse from Psalms

“他荣耀的名也当称颂，直到永远。愿他的荣耀充满全地！阿们！阿们！”

诗篇 72:19 

“And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.”

Psalms 72:19 

In our natural state, we all fall short of it (Romans 3:23).

Jesus was the radiance of it (Hebrews 1:3), and those who knew Him saw it (John 1:14).

In the Old Testament, it filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34–35), and the Israelites were led by it.

And we are promised that at the end of time, heaven will shine with it in splendor so great there will be no need for the sun (Revelation 21:23).

What is the “it” in all those statements above?

“It” is the glory of God. And He is amazing!

Throughout the Bible we are told that we can enjoy glimpses of God’s magnificent glory as we dwell on this earth He has created. God’s glory is described as the external display of His being. Because we cannot see God, He gives us clear pictures of His presence and His work in things like the majesty of the universe, the greatness of our salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Today, look for God’s glory—for the evidence of His greatness. You’ll see it in nature’s beauty, a child’s laughter, and the love of others. God still fills the earth with His glory.

Verse from Proverbs

“恩慈的话好象蜂巢中的蜂蜜，使人心里甘甜，骨头健壮。”

箴言 16:24 

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Proverbs 16:24 

We can’t control the words that come our way, but we can harness the words we speak so that they bring life and encouragement, not destruction. That’s why the psalmist asked God to “set a guard over my mouth” (Psalm 141:3). His prayer is especially apt for us today when our words can travel far and wide via social media.

Jesus set the pattern for how we should use our words. He never backed down from a challenge, yet He spoke with love and grace. His twofold goal was to honor His Father in heaven and to bring about the spiritual health of His hearers. The words He spoke aligned perfectly with His life of sacrifice.

How are we doing with our speech? What do we do when our words have hurt someone? A good start is to offer a heartfelt apology. Then ask the Spirit to help us use words that promote life instead of destruction, unity instead of division.

Lord, 

help us never to take for granted the powerful gift of language. 

May we use our words wisely to heal and strengthen others and point to the hope we have in You.

Verse from Colossians

“你们要把握时机，用智慧与外人来往。”

歌罗西书 4:5 

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”

Colossians 4:5 

There are opportunities to love and serve and interact with people every day, as Paul exhorts in Colossians 4:5. But are we always aware of those moments? Are we paying attention to opportunities to be an encourager in seemingly mundane interactions? 

God is at work in the lives of every person we relate to, from our family and coworkers to a clerk at the grocery store. Each interaction offers a chance for us to pay attention to what God might be doing—even if it’s something as seemingly “small” as kindly asking a server at a restaurant how she’s doing.

Who knows how God might work in those moments when we’re alert to the opportunities He sends our way.