Week 24: Three Key Truths

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33
* Monday: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1
* Tuesday: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3
* Wednesday: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5
* Thursday: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6
* Friday: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8
* Saturday: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:24-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11


Scripture: Proverbs 16:31-33
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained by living a godly life.
Better to be patient than powerful;
better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
We may throw the dice,
but the LORD determines how they fall.

Observation:
These verses capture three distinct truths by which to live life: (1) gray hair is a crown of glory (in my case, a wreath of glory) – i.e., long life is a gift, (2) self-control is one of the greatest of all human achievements, and (3) we may make decisions, but God ultimately is in control.

Application:
The older I get, the more thankful I am for the gift of life. I want to cherish this day for the blessing it is and seek to be a blessing to those around me. I want to become more attuned to the opportunities that each moment presents to be the person God wants me to be. That requires constant attention to how I conduct myself (i.e., self-control). Finally, I want to seek to realize God’s will in every decision...and trust that God will work with whatever decision I make. In the end, God is in control...and I am grateful for that!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day of new life. The older I get, the more I realize how blessed I am to experience life this side of eternity. Please give me the wisdom and self-discipline I need every waking moment of the day, so that I can represent you well in every context of life. And open my eyes to see the many ways you are at work all around me, willing and working for your good pleasure. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck