Isaiah often uses this expression to identify events to come. To the contemporary believer who cannot see the future nor predict it, the events that unfold lining up with Isaiah’s prophecy build confidence in God’s Word. Actually, it’s exciting to prayerfully watch for fulfillment that comes to pass.

We are to “Watch and Pray.”

Today our Israel tour group will visit the American school in Bethlehem.

PRAYER: Father, You have everything under control. We trust in You and read Your Word with anticipation of great revelations and glorious victories for Your Kingdom.

READ: Isaiah 10-12

(This morning I am doing my devotions in the lobby of the Leonardo Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel. Sorry I missed yesterday. We were traveling.)

When reading Isaiah, one is saddened initially by the ungodliness of the Israeli people. The missionary who is hosting us says only 15% of the people are religious. However, we know that the prophet also said “The people who walk in darkness will see a GREAT LIGHT.” That is Christ, the Messiah and Lord.

PRAYER: Lord, let there be a mighty outpouring of the Gospel and Your love to the people of Israel.

READING: Isaiah 1-6 [making up for yesterday]

Rich in simile and poetic beauty, the Song of Songs is, like Psalms and Proverbs, universal in its application to lives of believers. God is for marriage, it states, and a healthy passion between husband and wife as demonstrated by Solomon and his beloved.

Sadly, many unions fall far short.

Pray for marriages. Seek God for an exemplary love in your own.  The Bible encourages it.

PRAYER: Father, let there be a move of Your Spirit in Christian marriage. Because marriage is a type of Christ with the Church, we seek Your very best in our homes, and we ask for Your mercy upon those deeply wounded by marriages that fail. You will NEVER FAIL!

READING:  Song of Songs: 3-8

My son works in financial investments, and coaches his parents to spread out their retirement money in different products rather than one spot. This agrees with the advice Solomon left in Ecc. 11:2, “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”

Good advice, though it is, but the greatest investment is to give to those who have need. “He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord.” [Pr 19:17] The wisest investments we can make are in people.

PRAYER: Lord, help us refocus on the needs of people around us who truly need help. Forgive us for being so self-centered. 

READING: Ecc. 11,12; Song of Songs 1,2

Solomon in his wisdom declared, “If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, don’t abandon your position, for your calmness can solve great problems.” [Ecc. 10:4]

Our natural tendency is to run or allow suspicion to rule.

Don’t! Take a breath, take control of yourself. and allow the Lord to determine the outcome of any friction between you and the ruler. Give God a chance to intervene.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I will trust in Your Word and Your wisdom when I have conflict with someone in authority over me. Even as You did not open Your mouith, Lord Jesus, when You were reviled, I will hold my peace and trust.

READING: Ecc. 7-10

I know a man who prefers to use smaller, more concise sentences to express himself. I listen to every word. I know others who keep talking as if they love to hear the sound of their voice. Guess what … they many times lose me.

Solomon said it this way … “The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” [Ecc. 6:11]

David commented that they may think, “With our tongue will we prevail.” [Ps. 12:4]

Jesus said we would give account of every idle word.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, teach me to be an accurate, effective communicator. Help me realize how meaningless too much talk is.

READING: Ecc. 4-6

Solomon arrived at the conclusion … apart from an existence rooted in God, everything is meaningless. By his confession, he experienced everything his heart desired, but found it all meaningless without God.

Yet, with God’s presence in his life, he stated that one can be gifted to find true satisfaction and fulfillment. With God’s presence, every menial task can take on a whole new meaning and focus, that of pleasing God with it. [Ecc.3:13]

Paul said, “Do everything heartily as unto the Lord.”  [Col. 3:23]

PRAYER: Father, give me spiritual eyes to see my daily tasks as opportunities to please You. You have gifted me with life, and I will return praise to You through my diligence.

READING: Ecc. 1-3

Proverbs 31 clarifies the many abilities and qualities of virtuous women. In essence, they do all the extra things that make a house a true home, raising Godly children not the least of which. I’m extremely grateful that I married one of them, and that her daughters have turned out like her.

Husbands, one of our jobs is to praise her. Often, that is the only open reward she receives. Let’s not be slack on our part.

PRAYER: Father, in Your great wisdom, you equipped women with hard-working grit and faithfulness that holds the family together. Bless them with health and joy. We thank You for them.

READING: Pr. 30,31

As a private school administrator, I learned a long time ago, it takes more than just a “talking to” for wayward students to correct their ways. I remember talking for one whole morning to a young man who went out and committed his offense again after the lecture.

In the Amplified Bible, Proverbs 29:19 says, “A servant will not be corrected by words alone; For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].”

There must be negative consequences added to the words.

If you are a parent bringing correction, ask yourself,”What is an appropriate consequence for my child to suffer to learn their lesson well?”

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, enlighten me to know exactly what penalty to impose upon whomever I am correcting.

READING: Pr. 28,29

It has been said, “The Psalms are a Christian on his knees (dealing with issues of worship,prayer, and the condition of the heart) and the Proverbs are a Christian on his feet (dealing with relationships, work ethics, attitudes about life in general.)”

A healthy season of spiritual development would be to read (or sing) through five Psalms a day and read one Proverb a day. In a month, you complete a cycle.

Another healthy spiritual discipline is to read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, periodically to stay close to Christ’s concentrated teachings.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us instruction on life. We will hide it in our heart so we don’t sin against You.

READING: Pr. 25-27