Day 353 Bible Readings for December 20 – Proverbs 27: 19 (ESV)

Ezra 4 & 5, Revelation 11, Proverbs 27: 15-22

Proverbs 27: 19 (ESV)

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.”

In verse 19 from Proverbs 27, Solomon tells us that you can only know a person by knowing his heart. Just as water reflects a face, so too does a person’s heart. I think sometimes people often think and make decisions with their head, which can lead them to trouble. A person can control their behavior with their head but if it is in too much opposition to what is in their heart, then what the heart feels will eventually come out and often at the wrong time.

Some people can control their behavior with their head, but if the heart is too much denied then sometimes a person’s health will be affected. The heart is the true barometer of a person, so we must all try to act with what is in our heart.

Day 352 Bible Readings – Proverbs 27: 7 (ESV)

Ezra 3, Revelation 9: 13-21, Revelation 10, Proverbs 27: 5-14

Proverbs 27: 7 (ESV)

“One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.”

When I read verse 7 from Provers 27, I was so touched. Solomon tells us when you are full, something as sweet as a honeycomb is not desired. Bible commentators have said that this verse means that when your life is satisfying, you will find it easy to reject things that others would consider rewarding. I have been at this place in my life, but I always knew that something was missing. Even when my life was rich and abundant, it just wasn’t enough.

Solomon then tells us when your life is not abundant and you are hungry, you will find everything very sweet. I’ve been in this place as well. I remember when I used to take night classes, and I used to bring my dinner to eat on campus because I didn’t have enough money to eat in the cafeteria. Eating out even if the meal was under $10 was such a big deal.  

Having had an abundant life and a life of not having enough money to even eat out, I used to think that if I just had enough money I would be satisfied. But when I had a lot of money and was able to eat out and did not think anything of spending over $150 on a dinner, the abundant life was not satisfying. The only thing that I have found truly satisfying is having a relationship with God in my life. God is the only thing in my life that seems to satisfy the hunger in me.

Day 351 Bible Readings – Proverbs 27: 4 (ESV)

Ezra 1 & 2, Revelation 8, Revelation 9: 1-12, Proverbs 26: 23-28, Proverbs 27: 1-4

Proverbs 27: 4 (ESV)

“Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”

Verse 4 from Proverbs 27 is a truth that resonates as truth, but Solomon reminds us in case people have forgotten it. Wrath is indeed cruel, and anger can be overwhelming when expressed, but they tend to be short lived. Jealousy on the other hand can be long lasting, and therefore may lead to more cruel and overwhelming actions for those who are envious. We can see the results of envy in Matthew 27: 18 “For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.” Matthew speculated that it was envy that led the Sanhedrin to plot to kill Jesus Christ. 

While anger is often caused by something someone has done, jealousy on the other hand seems to sometimes be unreasonable and caused by someone becoming upset by the good fortune of another person. Jealousy also seems to be more hidden as it is not something another person would openly confess to in public, unlike wrath and anger which is often expressed publicly and not hidden well.

Day 350 Bible Readings – Malachi 3: 10-12 (ESV)

Malachi 3 & 4, Revelation 7, Proverbs 26: 13-22

Malachi 3: 10-12 (ESV)

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.  Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.”

In verses 10 through 12 from Malachi 12, we read of God telling us that we can test him regarding the promise of tithing. Malachi tells us that God promises that he will pour down blessings on us until there is no need. God will also make sure our property is not destroyed, and everything we have will be fruitful. God says we will be so blessed that we will be recognized by others as being blessed by God.

Tithing is such an interesting topic for people of faith, especially if money and time are not abundant in one’s life. We can tithe our money and our time to God, but for some to give away both is a hardship. I know for myself that I never felt more abundant in my life than when I was tithing both money and time to God. Was it hard to tithe sometimes? Absolutely! Did God fulfill his promises to me when I was tithing? Yes, and in ways I wasn’t expecting which I cannot even put a price on at this time. All I know is that when I surrendered to tithe 10% to God, I had to redefine my definitions of wealth and abundance. I think if one fears tithing, you have to know that God will help you to do it. You are not left on your own to figure it out. God promised that he will be with us in everything, and that includes figuring out to tithe 10% to him. I know I couldn’t have done it without the Holy Spirit advising me on how to do it.