How to Read God’s Word: Proverbs 15
When I first came to the Lord, I started practicing how to read God’s Word. I started by pouring over the Gospels, Paul’s Letters, and the Psalms. They felt comforting, accessible, and made me feel seen. They gave me permission to bring all my rejoicing and all my lamenting to the Lord. I also poured over the Proverbs. For hours in my dorm room alone or at a park or at the library. The Proverbs felt assuring; the wisdom was like guardrails on the path of my life. Where the Psalms seemed to strengthen my emotions and my soul, the Proverbs strengthened my actions and decisions.
Practice: How to Read God’s Word
We all have different bents and personalities and God meets all of us in our unique ways. How you read God’s Word will be different according to your temperament and learning style. I read everything as if it’s as purposeful and power packed poetry. This works with God’s Word because every word IS purposeful and power-packed! (But it doesn’t work as well with many long winded history textbooks I’ve tried to read!)
Some people can read large passages of Scripture all the time. But I like to meditate and do a deep dive on just a verse or two until they become part of who I am and until I fully experience the truths and promises and trainings in them.
I have sat with just the first verse of Proverbs 15 for years. May we have grace on our tongues! May we have kind answers to turn away the wrath of others! And may we speak in wisdom’s gentleness, to build up our household and those around us with kind words.
As you sit and read Proverbs 15 with me today, see what God highlights to you. As you read His Word, ask Him to illuminate what you most need to hear. Sometimes, it will comfort you. Sometimes, it will convict you. Either way, both are from God’s heart of love for you.
A Prayer Before We Read
Father God,
Thank you for your Word and your Truth. I’m here today, quieting my soul and stilling my mind. I just want to be in your presence. I just want to hear your heart. Please speak to me today and show me what you have for me. Help me be humble, teachable, and open to hearing what you want to say to me. Thank you that your Word speaks to this day! That your Word is powerful and can teach, correct, rebuke, and train me in righteousness. Thank you that your Word never fails and always accomplishes what you purpose it to accomplish.
In Jesus name, amen
Proverbs 15
The Lord Sees Everything
15 A kind answer
soothes angry feelings,
but harsh words
stir them up.
2 Words of wisdom
come from the wise,
but fools speak foolishness.
3 The Lord sees everything,
whether good or bad.
4 Kind words are good medicine,
but deceitful words
can really hurt.
5 Don’t be a fool
and disobey your parents.
Be smart! Accept correction.
6 Good people become wealthy,
but those who are evil
will lose what they have.
7 Words of wisdom
make good sense;
the thoughts of a fool
make no sense at all.
8 The Lord is disgusted
by gifts from the wicked,
but it makes him happy
when his people pray.
9 The Lord is disgusted
with all who do wrong,
but he loves everyone
who does right.
10 If you turn from the right way,
you will be punished;
if you refuse correction,
you will die.
11 If the Lord can see everything
in the world of the dead,
he can see in our hearts.
12 Those who sneer at others
don’t like to be corrected,
and they won’t ask help
from someone with sense.
13 Happiness makes you smile;
sorrow can crush you.
14 Anyone with good sense
is eager to learn more,
but fools are hungry
for foolishness.
15 The poor have a hard life,
but being content is as good
as an endless feast.
16 It’s better to obey the Lord
and have only a little,
than to be very rich
and terribly anxious.
17 A simple meal with love
is better than a feast
where there is hatred.
18 Losing your temper
causes a lot of trouble,
but staying calm
settles arguments.
19 A lazy person refuses
to clear a thorny path,
but everyone who does right
walks on a smooth road.
20 Children with good sense
make their parents happy,
but foolish children
despise them.
21 Stupidity brings happiness
to senseless fools,
but everyone with good sense
follows the straight path.
22 Without good advice
everything goes wrong—
it takes careful planning
for things to go right.
23 Giving the right answer
at the right time
makes everyone happy.
24 All who are wise follow a road
that leads upward to life
and away from death.
25 The Lord destroys the homes
of those who are proud,
but he protects the property
of widows.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts,
but kind words please him.
27 Being greedy causes trouble
for your family,
but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.
28 Good people think
before they answer,
but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.
29 The Lord never even hears
the prayers of the wicked,
but he answers the prayers
of all who obey him.
30 A friendly smile
makes you happy,
and good news
makes you feel strong.
31 Healthy correction is good,
and if you accept it,
you will be wise.
32 You hurt only yourself
by rejecting instruction,
but it makes good sense
to accept it.
33 Showing respect to the Lord
will make you wise,
and being humble
will bring honor to you.
Selah. (Think on these things. May it be so.)
Til next time… Toodle-loo, and Peace be with you.
If you want to walk in full forgiveness and the full power of the Holy Spirit, here’s a prayer to ask Jesus to wash you clean and lead you in a new life.
If you decided to give your life to Jesus today, please let us know so we can share in your new joy! And seek out someone in your area who loves Jesus and walks in humility who can help show you the way.
If you have any questions, you can drop in comments below. That’s what I’m here for!
