OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Proverbs 4 (Focus vs. 20–27)
MEMORY VERSE
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
BACKGROUND
Hungarian-born mathematician Abraham Wald lent his skills to the World War II efforts after coming to the United States in 1938.
The military was looking for ways to protect its aircraft from enemy fire, so Wald and his colleagues at the Statistical Research Group were asked to figure out how to better protect military aircraft to defend against enemy fire.
They began by examining returning aircraft to see where they were most damaged. But Wald is credited with the keen insight that damage on returning aircraft represented only where a plane could be hit and still survive.
He realized that areas most in need of additional armor would be found on planes that had crashed. Planes hit in the most vulnerable part—the engine—had gone down and therefore couldn’t be examined.
Solomon teaches us about protecting our most vulnerable part—our heart. He instructs his son to “guard [his] heart” because from it everything else flows (Proverbs 4:23).
God’s instructions guide us through life, steering us away from poor decisions and teaching us where to focus our attention. If we armor our heart by heeding His instructions, we’ll better “keep [our feet] from evil” and remain steadfast on our journey with God (v. 27).
We venture into enemy territory every day, but with His wisdom guarding our hearts, we can stay focused on our mission to live well for God’s glory.
By: Kirsten Holmberg
INSIGHT
What does it mean to “guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23)? It means to be vigilant, to keep watch for any danger that might draw us away from God. We do so by internalizing the wisdom of Scripture (vv. 20–22) and by resisting temptation (vv. 25–27).
God helps us as we seek Him through prayer: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
Philippians 4:8 offers good advice about what we fill our minds with: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
As we rely on the Spirit, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).
By: Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
What is your heart most vulnerable to right now? How can God’s wisdom protect you?
PR’s PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9 nlt
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Psalm 73:26
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“If we armor our heart by heeding His instructions, we’ll better “keep our feet from evil” and remain steadfast on our journey with God”
PRAYER
“God, please protect my heart from the threats against it. I hide myself in You.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG“I GIVE *YOU MY HEART” Hillsong Worship
This is my desire
To honor You
Lord, with all my heart
I worship You
All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore
Is in You
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for you alone
And every breath that I take
Every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me
This is my desire
To honor You
Lord, with all my heart…
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for you alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me
And I will live
And I will live for You
And I will live
And I will live for You…
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul,
I live for You alone
Every breath that I take,
Every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me
Have Your way
Have Your way…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
Numbers 1-3
Mark 3