S – Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.

Matthew 24:46 CSB

O – We should be actively doing what God has called us to do daily while anticipating His coming.  We can know that day is prophesied.  Yet, we cannot be in waiting mode.  We need to grow in our faith and trust in God and help others do the same.

A – Every generation has events that make them think “This is the end times.”  That should not be our focus.  If we are growing in our faith and helping others do the same, we will be doing God’s will if / when he returns.  

R – Lord, I thank you for the gift of today.  I submit to your sovereignty that your will is accomplished today and I want to be a part of what you are doing today.  Start with me and I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me and grow me.  Help me to have the courage and strength to help others draw closer to You.

S – You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. ²³ If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to me, and I will certainly hear their cry

Exodus 22:22–23 CSB

O –  Commentary: 

The widow, the orphan, and the foreigner were in a helpless and economically disadvantaged position. God, by his protective stance toward these persons, demonstrated that he does not value people on the basis of their power or wealth, the standards accepted by most humans. Instead, God values people because they share his image

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – In all these verses, this is the only instance where God responds to the issue.  All the other ones, He tells us what to do.  God interacts with everyone but takes a stronger step with these.  We should treat all people the same, no matter where they stand in life. But, orphans and widows deserve an extra measure of care since their resources can be challenging.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for caring and providing for us.  You know what we face and you meet us right where we are. Holy Spirit, we invite you into today.  Guide us and lead us to Your thoughts, words and actions that will keep us aligned with God.  Help us to demonstrate the heart of God that looks out for those who need help in their walk with you today.

S – Do not have other gods besides me. ⁴ Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth

Exodus 20:3–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

Not recognizing any other god is the first step toward learning the truth that there are no other gods besides the Lord (see Deut 4:35; 6:4; Isa 43:10–11; 45:21–22).

20:4 Not making an image of God is the first step toward recognizing that he is transcendent—that he is the Creator of the universe and distinct from it. To represent God as something in creation was inevitably to end up worshiping the creation rather than the Creator, and this had deadly moral consequences (Rom 1:18–25).

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – God does not want to be limited or defined.  We will “worship” that definition or form instead of the heart and character of who He is.  This is difficult as humans because when we can put form to something (see, hear, feel, taste and smell), it gives us comfort.  God takes us beyond our comfort to a place of faith and trust in a God who has no limits.

R – Heavenly Father, please help us not to put you in a box.  We invite you Holy Spirit to continue to take down the walls we put up around you and allow us to see You as You truly are.  Allow your presence to far exceed any challenge we put in following You.

S – When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down

 Exodus 17:12 CSB

O – In this instance, Moses’ uplifted hands were the key to the Israelites’ victory.  When he humanly weakened, others were able to come alongside and help him keep his hands up.

A – We were not meant to do life alone.  We all have issues or challenges that cause us to weaken.  In community, others can come alongside us and help us remain strong through the battle. 

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for those you have put in our lives that help us “lift our hands.”  As we face daily challenges, help us to build into others so all us can walk victoriously.

S – My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching. 

²¹ Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck

Proverbs 6:20–21 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Parental instruction provides guidance, protection (cf. 2:11), and counsel (6:22). That teaching should be given from God’s Law, for the parents’ commands, like the Word of God, should be like a lamp and a light, giving guidance to one’s conduct (Ps. 119:105). Discipline (cf. Prov. 1:2, 7), though painful (cf. Heb. 12:11a), helps keep a person on the right path, leading him in the way of life.

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

A – We are in a constant state of growth.  We are in a place today that we have never been before.  The past of even yesterday changes what we face today.  We need the principles that we have learned along the way to keep us grounded and centered in God’s will.  As parents, one of our responsibilities is to teach solid, healthy wisdom to our kids.

R – Heavenly Father, we need your Holy Spirit to remind us of the principles that will empower and protect us today.  Help us to walk in humility and in a teachable mindset.  Give us the discipline to stay true to the lessons that bring life to us and those around us.

S – But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

Exodus 14:13–14 CSB

O – “You must be silent” – chârash,  to scratch, to engrave, plow; hence, (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); fig. to devise (in a bad sense); hence, (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence, (by impl.) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness):

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Why would God ask them to be silent?  To prevent them from creating words lacking faith in God.  They could talk themselves out of allowing God to be their salvation.

A – We do this too.  We face a situation and instead of inviting God to work on our behalf, we create a “story” in our head.  It can be of God’s lack, his delay in helping or even how we can do it better than Him. Being “silent” is to quiet the noise so our faith can raise up in Him.

R – Lord, there are many challenges we face.  We invite you to move powerfully and for our behalf.  Help us to “quiet the noise” we can create in our own minds.  Help us to allow you to do what only you as our Heavenly Father can do.

S – The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he reveals his covenant to them.

Psalms 25:14 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Intimate fellowship with The Hebrew noun used here, sod, can mean “council” (Jer 23:18); it refers to a close relationship of confidence (Job 29:4; Prov 3:32). Those who fear Yahweh will enjoy His friendship.

Faithlife Study Bible 

“Fear” – yârê˒, yaw-ray’; from 3372; fearing; mor. reverent:— afraid, fear (-ful).

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Word

A – We can have a “close relationship of confidence” when we approach God in awe and honor.  Intimacy with the Creator of everything is an amazing concept.  We must be reverent of Who God is but intimacy eliminates distance and inauthenticity.  Just as we should honor our parents at any age, relationships eliminate formality.

R – Heavenly Father, you are big.  Yet, you draw as your child close to you to walk together today.  Let us walk in the confidence of our relationship while recognizing that You have no limits.  

S – They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat them

Exodus 12:7 CSB

O – Commentary:

God could not simply exempt his people from this plague as he had preserved them from the other plagues. Death reigns in the world because of sin, and in light of God’s justice, sin cannot be ignored; it must be either punished or atoned for. Since the blood represents life (Lev 17:11), it alone is acceptable for the forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22). As Deut 6:9 suggests, doorframes represent the totality of life as the place of going in and coming out.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – The blood is the difference maker in this situation and in our lives.  The blood of Jesus was our sacrifice.  It was given for our sins.  When we accept Christ as God’s son, who came as a man, was crucified on a cross, resurrected back to life and ascended into heaven – His blood supernaturally does the work we cannot do.  It is the sacrifice for our sins.

R – Lord, thank you for the work of the cross and the blood that Jesus shed on our behalf.  We accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  In doing so, we can access your forgiveness of sins through Him.   Help us to walk in that confidence in humility and gratitude for what Christ has done for us.

S – Moses said to Pharaoh, “You may have the honor of choosing. When should I appeal on behalf of you, your officials, and your people, that the frogs be taken away from you and your houses, and remain only in the Nile?” 

¹⁰ “Tomorrow,” he answered

Exodus 8:9–10 CSB

O – When given the choice, Pharoah chose one more night with the stench and plague of the frogs.  Why would he want another night when it could have been remedied immediately?

A – Why would would choose one more day of anything opposing God in our life?  Fear and Pride are big culprits.  Staying in a place that is familiar is easier than moving into the unknown.  We can get used to the “stench” of our sins and actions and they are not “so bad.”  God waits for us to make the move today.

R – Lord, thank you for the power of the cross to transform our lives.  Give us courage today to look soberly at our lives and move toward you.  It may be uncomfortable or even challenging for us.  Yet, the alternative is staying where we are is no the answer.  Holy Spirit, lead us into a place of freedom today.

S – The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 

² He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 

³ He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake

Ps 23:1–3 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The first blessing David experienced was spiritual nourishment. As a shepherd leads sheep to fresh grass for feeding, so the Lord leads His people. One who follows the Lord does not lack any spiritual nourishment. Under-shepherds (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2) are expected to feed the flock (Ezek. 34:1–10; John 21:15–17) as well. Food for the soul is the Word of God (Heb. 5:12–14; 1 Peter 2:2).

23:2b–3a.

A second blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is spiritual restoration. As a shepherd leads his sheep to placid waters for rest and cleansing, so the Lord restores or refreshes the soul. Here the spiritual lesson is clear: the Lord provides forgiveness and peace for those who follow Him.

23:3b.

The third blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is guidance in the right way (paths of righteousness). A good shepherd knows the right paths on which to bring the sheep home safely. So too the Lord loses none of His sheep but guides them in the right way. He does so partly because of His reputation (for His name’s sake).

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

A – As believers in Christ, we have the daily blessing of spiritual nourishment, rest and cleansing and protection.  When we tap into these blessings, our lives are at peace.

R – Lord, thank you for Jesus going to the cross.  There are many benefits we receive in walking with you each day.  Help us to take hold of these today.  We can walk confidently as your children and in humility of all that you do for us.