IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Free Yourself

Date: Oct. 10, 2023

Passage

Proverbs 6:1-11

Practical Warnings

6:1   My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
    have given your pledge for a stranger,
2   if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
    caught in the words of your mouth,
3   then do this, my son, and save yourself,
    for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
    go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
4   Give your eyes no sleep
    and your eyelids no slumber;
5   save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
    like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6   Go to the ant, O sluggard;
    consider her ways, and be wise.
7   Without having any chief,
    officer, or ruler,
8   she prepares her bread in summer
    and gathers her food in harvest.
9   How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
    When will you arise from your sleep?
10   A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11   and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want like an armed man.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Proverbs 6:5

save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Often without wisdom, we agree too hastily to a commitment that we cannot keep or will burden us too much. When we realize that we have done so, we must not sleep until we have freed ourselves. We will regret it if we do not. The financial, physical, mental, and emotional toll will be our undoing.

The author of the proverb gives two analogies of freedom: a gazelle from the hand of the hunter and a bird from the trap of the fowler. It is highly unlikely that either can get free, but it’s possible when they try persistently with all their strength. To succeed, the trapped prey doesn’t give up until they have escaped, even if they are injured and bleeding.

Why do people not seek a way out from their unwise commitments? It is because they procrastinate or are too lazy to try. Those who sleep and try to forget about it will lose precious opportunities and become impoverished. The proverb offers the example of an ant, which is so diligent and self-starting. Though so small, an ant displays extraordinary commitment, diligence, patience, planning, work ethic, and wisdom.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me the means to get out of any situation when I persistently do something by faith. Help me to escape unwise commitments before it is too late.

One Word: One Word: Be diligent and be free

Daily Bread

Praise the Lord

Psalm 103:1-22

Key Verse: 103:1

Of David.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!

Read More

Intro Daily