IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Lord is a Secure Fortress

Date: Dec. 6, 2023

Passage

Proverbs 14:18-35 (ESV)

18   The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19   The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20   The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    but the rich has many friends.
21   Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22   Do they not go astray who devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
23   In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24   The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
25   A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26   In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.
27   The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
28   In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
    but without people a prince is ruined.
29   Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30   A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
    but envy makes the bones rot.
31   Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
    but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32   The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33   Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
34   Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
35   A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 14:26

  In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.

Whatever we have is a blessing from God. The author of Proverbs observes that the poor are shunned, even by those close to them, whereas the rich have friends (20). God’s children do not reject and despise the poor. Doing so is a sin. Rather, we must be kind to the needy (21b). With wisdom, God’s children work hard which leads to profit and wealth. Profit and wealth are kindnesses from God which we can use to show kindness to the poor and needy. This honors God and practically demonstrates how to love our neighbor as ourselves (31). God has blessed us with wealth – material, spiritual, love, time, opportunities, etc. Let us honor God with our wealth!

Yet, wealth cannot provide lasting refuge and security. Only the LORD is an eternally secure fortress for us and for our children (26). No amount of material wealth can save a person from death. But fearing the LORD is a fountain of life and can turn a person from the snares of death (27). The wicked are brought down when calamity strikes. But the LORD our God, even in death, is a refuge and strength for the righteous (32, Ps 46:1). Will you fully trust God to be your fortress and refuge?

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for being my true security and for being a refuge in times of trouble. Help me use what you’ve given to me to bless those who are in need.

One Word: One Word: God is my refuge and fortress

Daily Bread

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

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Intro Daily