12th. July. 2022.Daily Devotions.

Proverbs 2:11

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

Whereas yesterday’s shield metaphor indicated God’s protection from direct attacks, today we learn that wisdom saves us from more indirect attacks: the allure of evil. Proverbs 2:12 says wisdom will rescue us “from the ways of wicked men,” and 2:16 says “wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman.” The original audience of Proverbs was primarily young men, so the author highlights the ways a young man might be tempted. Men can also be adulterous, and women can also be wicked, but that’s not the point Solomon is making here.

Solomon compares wisdom to a father lifting his son out of too-deep waters. The crooked path of wicked men promises much, as does the “wayward woman with her seductive words,” but wisdom quickly lifts us out of the water and shows us the truth: “the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it” (vv. 21–22). Wisdom rescues us by showing us what awaits us at the end of each road, and only one road leads to life.

There are times when we, too, are in over our head. We find ourselves in situations that threaten to drown us; we have no idea what to do. Rest assured that your heavenly Father is present and ready to scoop you out of your circumstances. He is with you. R L Meek.

Lord God, there are unfriendly powers at work in this world—and not all of them are human. Knowing that evil is greater than we are, we turn to You like little children, trusting You to keep us safe. Amen.

For When You’re Starting Your Day

Lord God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go and keep evil far from me. No matter where I am, I will look to You as my Protector, the one who fights for me every day.

Your love and faithfulness, along with Your goodness and mercy, surround me daily, so I will not fear whatever might come against me. My trust is in You, God, and I give thanks to You for Your love and protection. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Wisdom

Almighty God, I pray for wisdom in these times of uncertainty. I look deep into my heart and soul to find your truth. I pray for comfort in times of spiritual restlessness — as I journey through the murky waters of sin and self-doubt. Lord, I pray for your word to enrich my life and bring me to a closer relationship and understanding with you, through your Son, Jesus Christ.

And may all your children be granted the same wisdom, comfort, and the promise of your word throughout their daily lives, that we all can gather in your house and praise you more lovingly and faithfully from this day forward. In Christ’s name, Amen.

We praise you, God, who came to us in your word, for the richness of language, dialect, and idiom. Thank you for the ability to learn and use language – both mother-tongue and others – and for how living a new language leads to deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and you. Above all, we rejoice in the language of your love, beyond words. Amen.

A Prayer for Troubled Times

O God, Help us please to understand and to act, The world has had so many tragedies in recent months. We struggle to see good some days. The news is inescapable, at times; coming even into our pockets and purses. The bad news is broadcast in restaurants and on screens, in every public space it seems. We look for peace and rest. We struggle and try to see good in our society. It feels some days like everything is gone we once counted on.

Please God, give us strength and resolve, to remember that every small act of kindness matters. Help us to rely on you and your word, And not on the media and leaders who are weak. Please guide us and strengthen us to do your will.

We pray Lord, you will forgive us for our pettiness, And help us to remember and follow your Son, our Saviour, who died on the cross. Amen.

~ Prayer by Beth Maxwell Boyle.