S – Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded

Acts 19:14–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

I know—I know (γινώσκω—ἐπίσταμαι). There is a purpose in using two different words to denote the demon’s recognition of the Divine Master and of the human agent, though it is not easy to convey the difference in a translation. It is the difference between an instinctive perception or recognition of a supreme power and the more intimate knowledge of a human agent. A divine mystery would invest Jesus, which the demon would feel, though he could not penetrate it. His knowledge of a man would be greater, in his own estimation at least. The difference may be given roughly, thus: “Jesus I recognize, and Paul I am acquainted with.”

Word Studies in the New Testament, 

A – Each of us needs a personal relationship with God.  We cannot say, “My parents or good friends know God” and expect us to get “grandfathered” into the relationship.  Each of us will be accountable for our own relationship.  We need others to help us grow but the responsibility falls on us.

R – Heavenly Father, you invite us to enter a relationship with you.  We know that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior.  Help us to grow that relationship in strength and intimacy.  

S – He remains faithful forever, ⁷ executing justice for the exploited 

and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. 

⁸ The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed.^, 

The Lord loves the righteous. 

⁹ The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, 

but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Psalms 146:6–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

The idea of God’s faithfulness (v. 6) suggested to the psalmist many ways in which the Lord is gracious and righteous to people. He helps the oppressed … gives food to the hungry (cf. 111:5; 132:15; 136:25; 145:15), releases prisoners … gives sight to … blind people, raises up the defeated, loves the righteous, protects the sojourner, and leads the orphan and widow to security. But, because He is just, He also leads the wicked away into frustration.

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

A – God is faithful.  It is hard to comprehend an unlimited God.  Yet, he “gets into the weeds” when it comes to us and bringing justice to those in need.  I personally love that he takes care of the fatherless and the widows.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the God above all things. Thank you for getting into the details of our lives.  We invite you to do your will and fulfill your purposes.  We love you today!

S – The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head 

is a person of understanding. ²⁸ Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—

discerning, when he seals his lips.

Proverbs 17:27–28 CSB

O –  Commentary:

A wise man is cautious in what he says; he thinks before he talks (cf. 14:8) and does not gab. This reveals that he is even-tempered (lit., “cool of spirit”; cf. the recent phrase “keeping one’s cool”). Restraint in talking may even cause a fool (’ěwîl, an arrogant, hardened fool; see comments on 1:7) to be considered wise.

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

A – Most people are considered wise for what they say.  This brings the other side of the equation.  Listening and restraint is an important aspect as well. 

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and stand in awe of you.  Help us to listen today.  Give us restraint when we we want to surge forward.  We desire to do your will and accomplish your purposes today.

S – When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. 

²⁸ But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” 

²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved

 Acts 16:27–30 CSB 

O – Paul and Silas had impressed the jailer with their cheerful faith (16:25), their composure in crisis, and their concern for his well-being (16:28). Whatever the jailer’s previous understanding of Paul’s message, God touched his heart, and he cried out for divine help

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Notice that Paul’s focus is on the jailer and not himself.  In the midst of being jailed, it was their faith and concern for others that brought the jailer to salvation.  We can go through trials and still have a focus on other people. That is being a light in the darkness.

R – Heavenly Father, we all are going through challenges.  Thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit in all situations.  Help us to demonstrate our love for you and others in all situations.

S – Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 

¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

2 Kings 6:16–17 CSB

O – Commentary;

Elisha was not at all disturbed by the present situation. He encouraged his aide to stop fearing, and assured him that they had behind them a force superior to that of the enemy. Elisha then asked the Lord to enable his servant to see this host and the Lord did so. He gave the servant the ability to see the normally unseen world of invisible spirits (angels) that are constantly ready to do God’s bidding (cf. Gen. 28:12). The hills around Dothan were filled with superior horses and chariots. These appeared as fiery agents of God suggesting to the servant their superterrestrial origin (cf. 2 Kings 2:11).

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

A – Even when we don’t see it, God is in control.  We can put our trust and faith in him.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for another day with you.  You hold and know all things.  We surrender and worship you.  Help us to see as you see and to put our faith in you.  

S – But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he only tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” ¹⁴ So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored and became like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean

2 Kings 5:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

Naaman turned from Elisha’s house angry for two reasons: (1) His pride had been offended by Elisha’s offhanded treatment of him; he had expected a cleansing ceremony in keeping with his own dignity. (2) He resented having been told to wash in a muddy river that he considered inferior to the Abana and Pharpar … rivers in his hometown; the water of the Jordan, he thought, could not possibly do him any good.

The commander’s servants, however, had not been personally put down as their master had and could view the situation more objectively. Approaching him tenderly they appealed to him as a father to be reasonable. They pointed out that it was not as though Elisha had requested something difficult (some great thing). What harm would there be in giving his remedy a try? Undoubtedly feeling rather ashamed Naaman humbled himself and obeyed the word of the Lord. As he obeyed in faith he was cleansed. God did even more for him and restored his flesh to its soft boyhood texture.

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

A – Most people will do something “great” or strenuous to achieve an amazing result.  How many will do a simple, humble thing?  Our culture points to the greatest results and biggest wins.  What about the person who wins the daily battles that no one sees or applauds?  Both are important.  We need to listen to the Holy Spirit and tells us what to do each day.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of all praise and honor.  We want to be faithful to the small things to accomplish the big things when needed.  We surrender our fear and pride to you so that we won’t be led away from your will.  Give us the ability to hear your Holy Spirit today.t

S – Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” 

She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”

2 Kings 4:2 CSB

O – Commentary:

Her little bit of oil was olive oil used for food and fuel. Elisha told her to collect empty jars; they would be filled with oil God would provide. The widow’s faith can be “measured” by the number of jars she collected in response to the prophet’s instructions. Shutting the door provided privacy for the task of pouring the oil. Not everyone was to see the miracle take place; only the widow and her sons, the direct beneficiaries of God’s grace, should see it. But later she probably told all her friends about God’s miraculous provision. God provided oil enough to fill all the jars the woman had collected, all she felt she needed. She returned to Elisha with a report of the miracle and he told her to sell the oil and pay her debts. There was enough money left over for her to live on after all her financial obligations had been met.

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

A – Two great principles.  First, “What is in your house?” God provides everything you need to obey his will and be successful.  It is in you (gifts, talents, attitude) or it is accessible to you.  Second, “Where is your faith?”  Do you believe God is with you and will provide?

R – Heavenly Father, we stand in awe and revere of all you do for us.  Thank you for your provision.  Help us to steward all that you entrust to us to bring honor to your name.

S – God, how precious your thoughts are to me; how vast their sum is! 

If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with you.

Psalms 139:17–18 CSB

O – God is thinking about us all the time.  His thoughts about us are so many, it would be virtually impossible to count them.

A – To illustrate this point.  My wife, Kristin, and I have been married for 36 years.  If I filled a square box with 24-inch sides, you could fill it with 5 million grains of sand.  If each grain of sand represents me thinking of her in that time frame, I would think of her just under every 6 seconds.  Now…put that box on any beach.  Now, put that box on all the sands of the earth.  Amazing.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are the one, true God.  Thank you for thinking of us for more than we can even imagine.  You are for us and your plans are for our best.  We put our faith and trust in you.

S – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time. 

Proverbs  17:17 CSB

O – The terms friend and brother are not distinctive because of birth.  Instead, it speaks to the bonding of two people who become close as a sibling.

A –  There are people in your life that you will have a healthy, deep connection.  This is evident of the proximity you keep when you or they are going through life’s challenges.  Stepping into someone else’s mess is not easy.  Doing so says “I am here, how can I help?”  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for stepping into our messy lives by sending Jesus for our sins.  The ultimate act of love was his willingness to lay down his life for us.  Thank you for those relationships you give us where we can serve someone else in their time of need.