S – A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.

 Proverbs 17:3 CSB

O – Commentary:  As silver and … gold are purified under intense heat (cf. 27:21), so a believer’s heart is purified by the heat of trials which the Lord brings (James 1:2–3; 1 Peter 1:7).

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

A – The Lord will test us…and it will be intense.  As we grow in the Lord, the testing and challenges continue to grow so our faith will develop even more.  Interesting that the result is purification.  Goes back to God looking at our motives.  We can clean up our acts (words, thoughts and emotions) but He sees the heart…an ongoing battle that needs constant refinement.

R – Lord, search and purify my heart each day.  In the process, draw me closer to you.

S – All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs motives.

 Proverbs  16:2 CSB

O – Commentary: A person may think nothing is wrong with what he does; outwardly it may seem innocent. But God knows his heart, whether the motives behind his actions are pure or not. The Lord judges people on the basis of why they act (cf. 17:3; 21:2) because He sees human hearts (cf. Matt. 6:4, 8, 18).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God looks at the heart.  My intentions and my attitudes are on display for him to judge.  I need to act from a pure heart and motive.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 

Proverbs 15:22 CSB

O – As wise and knowledgeable as one person can be, they are limited to only what they bring to the moment.  With a number of wise advisors, they will have more complete success.

A – It is my responsibility to bring my best to the moment.  It is also my responsibility to know where I lack and invite someone with that strength to the moment.  When I do this, I will achieve greater results than if I was alone.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

 Proverbs 14:23 CSB

O – There is something to be gained in work.  Mentally, physically and psychologically – we grow when we work.  Those who chose to talk, strategize and explain beyond a healthy point will never achieve the gain of the task.

A – We should embrace our work as a catalyst to make us better.  We need to talk and listen in a healthy way that is a catalyst for us to work effectively.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – The Lord hates six things; 

in fact, seven are detestable to him: 

17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, 

hands that shed innocent blood, 

18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, 

feet eager to run to evil, 

19 a lying witness who gives false testimony, 

and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16–19 CSB

O – Commentary: The purpose of this kind of numerical pattern (x and x + 1) (6 things and 7)  is not to give a complete list. Instead, it is to stress the final (x + 1) item, as the culmination or product of its preceding items.

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

A- This is a good list to evaluate ourselves.  We don’t do any of these things blatantly.  Yet, we all can be guilty of these to some degree.  We are born into a sinful nature.  Using the commentary’s principle, it brings light to strife and issues among people. We have broken people interacting with broken people every day.  The answer is two things.  Continue to grow closer to Christ each day so that my sin nature diminishes and my Godly character grows.  Second, give the same grace and forgiveness to others that God gives me daily.  

R – Lord, help me to do both of these things today.

S – Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. 

Proverbs 5:18 CSB

O – “Fountain” – mâqôr,  s source :— fountain, issue, spring, well (-spring).

 “Blessed”: bârak, to kneel;  impl. to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); 

  “Pleasure”– sâmach, to brighten up, i.e. (fig.) be (caus. make) blithe or gleesome:— cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, × very

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – It can be taken two ways.  The source of my physical relationship is my marriage or my relationship with my source, which is God.  It is an act of adoration and reverence to God when I turn to my spouse for pleasure.  This chapter focuses on physical and sexual expression.  It can go further in our relationship, helping each other grow, empowerment and friendship.  Jesus chose marriage as his image of the relationship between his believers and Him.  

R – Lord, let me honor you by loving Kristin with all that have physically, emotionally and spiritually.

S  – Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. 

And whatever else you get, get understanding. 

⁸Cherish her, and she will exalt you; 

if you embrace her, she will honor you. 

 Proverbs 4:7–8 CSB

O – “Supreme” – first in order, first place.  Wisdom is the first thing, so get it.  Second place goes to “understanding” – attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal)

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Exalt wisdom and she will reciprocate.  Come close to her and you will receive honor.

A – I love the elevation of wisdom based on yesterday’s devotion (creation, like Jesus).  Today, it takes the highest place to acquire.  If we do this and then apply understanding, we reap huge benefits.  I listed the entire meaning of “understanding” because it demonstrates the variety and breadth of how we can apply wisdom to our lives.  

R – Lord, I want to do this each day…especially today.

S – The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. 

 Proverbs 3:19 CSB

O – Commentary:  “wisdom”:  qanah:  taken as “created,” this line refers to wisdom as God’s first act of creation, before all other things. But if the word qanah is understood as “brought forth,” this line portrays wisdom as an instrument of God during creation. Wisdom then would be the first primary instrument used in the act of creation and pre-existent before the world (compare Prov 8:23–24). This second interpretation aligns well with the nt depiction of Jesus as the agent of creation (Col 1:16; 1 Cor 8:6) who is referred to as “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24, 30; compare Matt 23:29–36; Luke 11:45–52; Heb 1:1–3).

 Faithlife Study Bible 

A –  Interesting take on wisdom – a tool of God during creation or the personification of wisdom in Jesus.  Both are important in my daily walk.   If I can “acquire” wisdom and align my character with Christ’s on a daily basis, I will apply my knowledge and understanding in a manner that reflects him.

R – Lord, help me to do this today!

S – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 

⁷ He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity 

⁸ so that he may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of his faithful followers. 

 Proverbs 2:6–8 CSB

O – We can ask and the Lord will give wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  He has victories for those who follow his ways and purpose.  He will protect those who do so.  He will maintain justice and those who believe in Him.

A – There are benefits to knowing God through a relationship with Christ.  You can actually grow your wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  You need to ask for all these.  The application of these invites God to bring true success and oversight into your day and for justice.

R – Lord, help me to grow in my wisdom, knowledge an understanding.  In doing so, let me follow your purpose and leading today so that you can do what only you can do.  

S – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline. 

Proverbs 1:7 CSB

O – Commentary:  The main theme of Proverbs can be summed up in just ten words that appear near the beginning of the book: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge” (1:7). Fear implies respect, awe, and (at times) knee-knocking terror. It also acknowledges that everything, including knowledge and wisdom, comes from total dependence on God. The fear of the Lord leads people toward humility and away from pride

Fear of the Lord recognizes God’s central place in the order of the world. God is the Creator and Master of all things. This is why Ps 14:1 labels those who reject God as “fools.” Those who fear the Lord receive wisdom because they begin to understand that everything is under God’s rule and in his service. This is more than just an attitude; it is a way of living that takes into account God’s power and authority and our ultimate accountability to him.

Wisdom is closely connected with a proper relationship with God—both require choices in line with God’s character.

New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Proverbs brings out these three qualities – knowledge, wisdom and discipline.  I need all three in my life daily.  The struggle to walk with God is real.  I must have reverence for God to walk with Him. I must walk in humility, not in pride, to walk in his character.  I can walk in his power and authority when I display these qualities because I can be trusted.  

R – Lord, help me to do this today.