S – A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense

Proverbs 19:11 CSB

O – Commentary:

Patience, extolled several times in Proverbs (14:29a; 15:18b; 16:32; 25:15), stems from and is a mark of wisdom (śēḵel, “prudence,”  “understanding”). In contrast, is one who is hotheaded and impatient (14:17, 29b; 15:18a; 19:19; 22:24; 29:22). A prudent, patient man is not easily upset by people who offend him; in fact he overlooks offenses (cf. 12:16), knowing that to harbor resentment or attempt revenge only leads to more trouble. Overlooking them is his glory, that is, it is honorable.

“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Trouble is guaranteed in the Bible.  Why invite more of it by our own impatience or lack of common sense?  We need to slow things down, listen and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in those times.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one true God.  As we face today, give us wisdom and patience.  As things come up, let us see things through your eyes and listen with your understanding.  Help us to act in a way that honors you.

S – He will repay each one according to his works:^{, 7} eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness.

Romans 2:6–8 CSB

O – Commentary:

A person’s habitual conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart. Eternal life is not rewarded for good living; that would contradict many other Scriptures which clearly state that salvation is not by works, but is all of God’s grace to those who believe (e.g., Rom. 6:23; 10:9–10; 11:6; Eph. 2:8–9; Titus 3:5). A person’s doing good shows that his heart is regenerate. Such a person, redeemed by God, has eternal life. Conversely a person who continually does evil and rejects the truth shows that he is unregenerate, and therefore will be an object of God’s wrath.

  “Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Our thoughts, words and actions reveal our hearts.  We will never be perfect but we do need tenacity in aligning with God’s Truth and Word.  God honors the integrity to pursue Him and will punish those who do not.

R – Heavenly Father, we come to you in worship and surrender.  We want to know you more.  Help our thoughts, words and actions align with your Truth and Word.  Strengthen us as we pursue you.  We want our hearts and actions to show your love for us and others.

S – They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. 

Romans 1:25 CSB

O – Commentary:

The truth of God is not only the truth concerning God but also God’s truth concerning all things, including mankind. This truth is that people are creatures of God and can find true fulfillment only in worshiping and obediently serving God the Creator. A lie (lit., “the lie”) on the other hand says that the creature—angelic (Isa. 14:13–14; John 8:44) or human (Gen. 3:4–5)—can exist independent of God, self-sufficient, self-directing, and self-fulfilling. Mankind made himself his god in place of the true God. Because God the Creator is forever praised (in contrast with creatures who are undeserving of worship), Paul added Amen. This word transliterates in both Greek and English the Hebrew word meaning “so let it be.” As an affirmation, not a wish, it places approval on what has just been said 

“Romans,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We must worship God in spirit and in truth.  To do this, we need to know the truth.  Knowing God and His Word gives us the foundation of who God is, His heart and character and his power.  When someone knows this and believes they can live separate from God, they are living a lie.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one and only God.  Continue to reveal your truth to us daily.   Let us grow in our understanding of this so we are not distracted by any lies or false entities.  We desire to walk in relationship knowing you fully and being fully known.

S – A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

Proverbs 19:5 CSB

O – A person who bears false witness is acting against someone else and justice will be served. Also, someone who lies will not walk in freedom but is “imprisoned” by their own words.

A – Words are powerful.  We must speak with character and integrity.  How can we be a light if our words are not honest and true?   For our own sake, how can we walk in personal freedom if our words cause us to be bound by lies?  

R – Heavenly Father, we want to honor you today.  Let our thoughts, words and actions align with your Word.  Jesus said, “I am the Truth, the Way and the Light.”  Let our conversation today reflect all of those.   Let us walk in personal freedom, free from anything hindering our relationship with you.

S – Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance

Acts 28:30–31 CSB

O – Commentary:

Despite being under house arrest (28:16), Paul boldly proclaimed the Kingdom message. • And no one tried to stop him (Greek akōloutōs, “without hindrance”): This single word in Greek is the last word of the book of Acts and one of the keys to its meaning: God’s word cannot be chained, even when its messengers are (2 Tim 2:9; see Phil 1:12–14). Acts is the story of an unhindered message of Good News, available to all people throughout the world, whether Jew, Gentile, proselyte, rich, or poor. The mission of proclaiming this message is accomplished in the power of the Spirit (1:8); it embraces Jews (3:1–5:42), Samaritans (8:1–25), converts to Judaism (2:11; 13:43), “God-fearers” (8:26–40; 9:32–11:18), and Gentiles (13:1–28:28). • Luke ends his account with Paul still under house arrest in Rome (about ad 60–62). Paul was later freed and traveled freely (see chart, p. 1845). According to tradition, Paul was imprisoned again in Rome in about ad 64 and was martyred there during Nero’s persecution of believers.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Ac 28:31.

A – Imprisoned, Paul writes a portion of the New Testament.  He shares the gospel freely and is protected.  God continues to make a way for Paul to do ministry where opposition appears.  He will do that for us as well in our daily walk with him.

R – Heavenly Father, we are in awe of all that you do in our lives.  We surrender and worship you.  Continue to work in our lives when opposition comes.  Bring the opportunities for your love and salvation to be shared.  Let us be a light today.

S – One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. 

Proverbs 18:24 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Some people who present themselves as “friends” are not. The wise see beyond pretense, discerning a real friend from false friends by how they act in adverse circumstances.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We all need people in our lives who are real, honest and committed.  These are few and hard to find.  When you do, they catalyze your growth and consistency in your lives.  Even Jesus had his twelve and one of them betrayed him.  But, the remaining eleven changed the world.

R – Heavenly Father, we give you all honor and glory today.  Help us develop those relationships that will come alongside us as we follow you.  These relationships are vital to our growth.  We need them to achieve what you called us to do.

S – A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord

Proverbs 18:22 CSB

O – The Hebrew word for “good thing” is defined as “good in its widest sense.”  The word “favor” is defined as “delight.”  A man who finds a wife is complemented with a help mate and God is pleased.

A – I am grateful for my wife.  Together, we make a strong team as we both endeavor to follow the Lord individually and as a couple.  I appreciate the definition of  “good in its widest sense.”  I can’t compartmentalize all the things I love about her. I can see pleasure in our relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of you.  Thank you for my wife.  I am a better man because of her.  Together, we choose to follow you today.  We want our love for you to be evident as we also love others. 

S – The king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, ³¹ and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is not doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” 

³² Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Acts 26:30–32 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Paul is not guilty before Roman law, and this is the only conclusion that Roman law would care about. Nor is he offensive to Agrippa’s more liberal form of Judaism, which abhorred revolutionaries and did not accede to the demands of the Jerusalem aristocracy.

26:32. Agrippa’s opinion would have been included in the cover letter for the case. Because Paul had used his Roman right to appeal to Caesar’s tribunal, Agrippa and Festus can only refer him there with a letter specifying their own opinion. This necessity was likely political rather than legal, and it extracted Festus from a difficult political situation vis-à-vis Paul’s local accusers. This appeal had earlier saved Paul’s life (25:3), and now it provides him free passage to Rome (cf. 19:21) and a public forum for the *gospel.”

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Most would say Paul’s further imprisonment would be a challenging part of his life.  It proved to be just the opposite.  It saved him from being killed by the Jewish leaders. It gave him constant protection. The gospel’s message would go to the highest forum of its time.  How do we view our circumstances?  Do we dwell on the negative or find the positive in it?

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to give us understanding that we may know all that you are doing.  Please enable us to see and listen to discern what is going on in all realms.  

S – But I enter your house by the abundance of your faithful love; 

I bow down toward your holy temple in reverential awe of you

Psalms 5:7 CSB

O – Commentary:

In contrast with such wickedness David did not extol his own virtues. Rather he stressed God’s mercy (ḥeseḏ, “loyal love”) toward him. By this he could approach the tabernacle (cf. comments on house and temple in the first paragraph under Ps. 5) to worship the Lord in reverence. The Hebrew word for bow down (often trans. “worshiped,” e.g., Ex. 34:8) signifies prostrating oneself, a posture that represents the proper inner attitude toward God in worship. The wicked are arrogant; a worshiper is humble before God.

“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We need to check our hearts.  We should revere God in times of worship but also at all times.  This talks of physically going to a place of worship.  If our lives are an act of daily worship, we should carry ourselves in a way that demonstrates a healthy fear and reverence of God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  We stand in awe of your unlimited power and presence.  Nothing compares to you.  Let us walk in this attitude and bring honor to your name today.  Let others see your love demonstrated in our lives.

S – You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 

⁸ I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety

Psalms 4:7–8 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The joy and contentment David experienced in trusting in the Lord was greater than the mirth of the harvest festivities. Even in distress and away from the visible evidence of God’s goodness, he enjoyed peace and safety in his God (on sleep; cf. 3:5). True joy and peace depend not on circumstances but on God’s protection and provisions.

 “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Do we have joy and peace?  In all situations, we can.  The more we grow our relationship with God, we will increase our trust and faith in Him.  In the good, we can have more than we would have naturally.  In the bad, we can have it when it is unexplainable.  The foundation for both is our relationship with God.

R – Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of who you are.  We invite your Holy Spirit to grow us today.  We want your presence with us in our thoughts, conversations and situations.  We want to know your peace and joy throughout the day. Give us a deep rest at night.