Lord, the theme in my scripture reading this morning is that regarding Your Word is wise and will lead to eternal rewards. You warn us not to envy sinners, but to be zealous for the fear of You, reminding us that there is surely a hereafter, and that our hope will not be cut off.
You remind us not to overwork to be rich, but to set our eyes on eternity. You remind us to correct and discipline our children so that they may be delivered from hell.
In Pr. 23:23, we are told, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” We are reminded throughout this chapter about wisdom. We are encouraged to remember that while temptations may look good for the moment, they lead to bad results. Help me to remember these verses when I am tempted to focus on earthly pleasures more than eternal rewards, Lord.
Like the writer of Ps. 119:125, I say, “I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.” I do not want to regard Your Word as void, Lord, but to love Your commandments more than find gold, or any other earthly treasure.
Help me to hate every false way, but to focus on Your precepts, and Your promise of eternity. Lord, You loved me so much that You allowed Your only Son to be killed so that I could live with You in eternity. Do not let me trample on that gift just to ‘feel good’ here on earth. I want to be with You forever.
Thank You, God, for the gift of salvation. Thank You for the promise of an eternal reward. Thank You for Your love that is sacrificial. Please help me love the same way. Thank You for Your Word, which gives me wisdom. Please help me to live a life according to Your Word, that I may please my Father in Heaven.
I pray and ask these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
considering the word 