S – The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9 CSB

O – “Integrity” – tôm,  completeness; fig. prosperity; usually (mor.) innocence:— full, integrity, perfect (-ion), simplicity, upright (-ly, -ness), at a venture. 

“Securely” – eṭach, beh’takh;  a place of refuge; abstr. safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adv. with or without prep.) safely:— assurance, boldly, (without) care (-less), confidence, hope, safe (-ly, -ty), secure, surely

“Perverts” – ˓âqash, to knot or distort; fig. to pervert (act or declare perverse):— make crooked, (prove, that is) perverse (-rt).

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – The person is “complete” in God it isn’t perfection.  It is the relationship of that person’s honest, genuine best and God makes up the difference in our imperfections and shortcomings.  It brings security because we know God takes us where we cannot go.  There is freedom knowing we are not in this alone and can openly admit that we are not enough. 

R – Heavenly Father, we invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today.  We are not enough and do not want to go through today without You making up the difference in us. We surrender and worship You. Thank you for Your love and protection daily.

S – Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has spoken: 

I will demonstrate my holiness^, to those who are near me, 

and I will reveal my glory^, before all the people.” 

Leviticus 10:3 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The two eldest sons of Aaron (cf. Ex. 6:23; 28:1; 1 Chron. 6:3), either through ignorance or presumption, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. This incident interrupted the regular pattern of the previous two chapters in which everything was done in accord with the commands of the Lord (cf. Lev. 8:36). It is not stated what made their offering of incense “unauthorized”…“The moral of the story” as summarized by Moses is that those who have the privilege of being nearest to God must bear special responsibility to exemplify His holiness and glory.

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

A – Every day, we have the opportunity to be near God and with it comes the responsibility of displaying His holiness and glory.  This isn’t just for OT priests.  It is for us as His ambassadors to walk in a manner that honors Him.

R – Heavenly Father, we invite Your presence into our lives today.  Help us to honor You in our thoughts, words and actions.  We desire to exemplify Your holiness and glory in our lives today.  Draw us closer to You so that we can do this genuinely.

S – He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed and consecrated him.

Leviticus 8:12 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Moses then poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head … to consecrate him (cf. Ex. 29:7; 30:30; 40:13). The purpose of these anointings was to set apart the tabernacle (Lev. 8:10), the various articles of sacred furniture (vv. 10–11), and the priest who ministered in the sanctuary (v. 12) as most holy to the Lord

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

Consecrate – qâdâsh,to be  clean (cerem. or mor.):— appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), × wholly.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – God wanted the priests to be set apart.  All throughout the NT, we are encouraged to do the same.  When we put distance between ourselves and those things, desires or temptations that will trip us, we are saying “I am God’s first.”  

R – Heavenly Father, we choose to consecrate ourselves today.  We are your vessel.  We desire to be holy in mind, body and spirit.  We cannot do this without the blood of Jesus and the forgiveness of our sins daily applied to our lives.  Give us a fresh annointing today to be led by You.

S – Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely.^, 

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires

Psalms 37:3–4 CSB

O –  Commentary:

Rather one should trust in the Lord who can answer prayers of the heart (vv. 3–4). The promise, He will give you the desires of your heart, is based on the condition, delight yourself in the Lord. One who delights in Him will have righteous desires

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

A – When our heart lines up with God, it aligns the rest of us.  As our faith grows in who God is, we become more like him in our character.  We will not be perfect but our love and faith in God will reveal the areas of sin.  We will be able to ask for forgiveness and restore health to that area.  Our desires will be an outflow of this growth.

R – Lord, thank you for your love for us.  It works inside of us to transform our earthly being and desires into a vessel of your love and Spirit.  Help us to grow into the person you created us to be so we can share your love with others in a tangible way.

S – A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother. 

Proverbs 10:1 CSB

O – A child’s actions reflect on the parents who raise them.

A – There is a love parents have for their children.  Foundationally, a child grows as they learn lessons.  Wisdom demonstrates moving toward growth and understanding.  Foolish is selfish and immature.  The consistency in the journey is what brings either joy or frustration to the parents.  The same principle could be applied to our walk with God.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that your love for us does not waver.  Help us to be wise today.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts, words and actions.

S – Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!

Mark 2:12 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Jesus commanded the paralytic to get up (a test of his faith), take his mat, and go home (demand of obedience). The man was enabled to do this immediately (euthys; cf. 1:10) in full view of them all, including Jesus’ critics. They were forced to recognize that the man had received God’s forgiveness. This showed the character of salvation Jesus brought, namely, healing whole persons. Everyone (probably including the scribes) was amazed (existasthai, lit., “out of their minds”; cf. 3:21; 5:42; 6:51) and praised (ascribed glory to) God because of Jesus’ display of supernatural power.

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

A – When we walk in the authority God has given us, it opens up the door for God to work in us and through us.  It is a catalyst for others to grow in their faith.  It silences the critic because it is authentic and undeniable. After all, you can’t do this yourself.  All ascribe glory to God. (critic included)

R – Heavenly Father, I want to walk in your authority today. Through the power of the cross and Jesus’s sacrifice for me, I am adopted into a relationship with you.  I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in humility and authenticity today.  And, full of your power and courage to accomplish your will as well. 

S – The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 

Exodus 40:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary:

The climax of the Exodus occurred when the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. God’s goal from the outset was not merely to deliver his people from their bondage, but to bring them into a relationship with himself. Their real need was to know God personally in their lives. Without that, the Promised Land would not be a land of promise. Now it would be, because the glory that had been on Mount Sinai was in Israel’s midst; it would not be left behind, but would travel with them wherever they might go.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We are the “modern-day tabernacles.”  God doesn’t dwell in a tent but His Spirit lives in us.  The question we face – “Does the glory of the Lord radiate out to others?”  The word “glory” means “weight, splendor, distinction and honor.”  Do we allow His glory to work through us and do we demonstrate His qualities and character?

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that you live in me today.  I invite your Holy Spirit to work in me so that my thoughts, words and actions align with you.  May Your presence in me be seen outwardly and that Your glory will be real to others.

S – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding

 Proverbs 9:10 CSB

O – If we have a healthy terror or awe of God, it will cause us to trust in Him as our source.  The more we get to know Him,the more we see His plan.

A – The fear of the Lord can be terror fear or awe. When you stand next to twenty-foot waves by the ocean, you have “terror fear” recognizing their power and ability.  Or, you are amazed and in awe of them.  Same with God, you acknowledge His unlimited character and abilities.  This leads to both responses.  You also understand more of Him when you spend time with Him in His word and prayer.

R – Lord, thank you that you have no limitations and yet know us intimately.  We acknowledge you are the one and only God.  We humble ourselves and surrender all that you have given us back to you.  We worship you as our God.  Thank you for revealing more of your character to us today.

S – In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said, ⁴² “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him

Matthew 27:41–42 CSB

O – The leaders mocked him for not being able to do a “miracle.”  He saved others but couldn’t replicate the power for himself.  He couldn’t come down from the cross.  

A – God’s ways are counterintuitive to ours.  Jesus is exalted as the Son of God because He went to the cross and was crucified.  He saved the world by not saving Himself. (Demonstrating more power than humanly possible because He died sinless for a world of sinful people).   He came down from the cross dead but rose three days later.  Everything the leaders hurled at Him while on the cross, He answered in a different way.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for the cross.  Thank you for Jesus valuing us so much that He endured all of the pain on our behalf.  We can trust You because your ways are higher than ours.  We invite Youto work on our behalf and You are good.

S – We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield. 

²¹ For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name. 

²² May your faithful love rest on us, Lord, for we put our hope in you. 

Ps 33:20–22 CSB

O – Commentary: The conclusion of the psalm is a reassertion of faith in the Lord. God’s people demonstrate their faith in three ways. First, they wait in hope for deliverance from the Lord as their Help and Shield. Second, they rejoice in Him whom they trust (33:21). Third, they pray for His unfailing love to rest on them. So they are confident (hope) He will consummate His program of salvation

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

yâchal, yaw-chal’; a prim. root; to wait; by impl. to be patient

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – Waiting is often a challenge as we grow our faith in God.  It isn’t easy being patient.  Yet, while we wait, God works for us and protects us.  We can rejoice in Him and his character.  Our love for Him grows as we see His character and actions.  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you do for us.  We are blessed in many ways.  Thank you for your protection and help – we need it.  We will patiently wait for you to reveal more of your character.  Our faith is in You.