Proverbs 21

Today for my quiet time, I went through the chapter of Proverbs 21 (I'm currently going through the entire book of Proverbs with intentionality).  This post will also give a peak into how I go through Bible Study, not that it's wholesome or the proper way or anything.  It's just how I feel God speaks to me while I read.

Anyways, I had multiple 'revelations' today.  The biggest one being Proverbs 21:13:

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and to be answered.

I just felt like I had reached some sort of epiphany while coming across this verse for some reason.  It's not necessarily stating that we should care for what God cares for, which is true by the way, but it's just also emphasizing another important reason to care for the poor.  One day, as we know homelessness can affect anyone, we may even have our own cries and others will turn their heads as we have turned ours.  This verse was just a really big reminder and big flashing lights sort of sign that God really wants us to care for the less materially, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually unfortunate.  Because one day when we are lacking in one of those ways after we have turned our heads, we will receive the same responses as the ones we once gave.

Let me just note that these thoughts are what I felt the Holy Spirit were revealing to me for my own life and for my own relationship with God - for others, it may be different.  But anyways, the other verses I recorded down today include (I'm not going to post about this every time I do a personal Bible study):

Prov. 21:3 - "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Sacrifice only has so much of proving future intentions."  To continually recognize convictions, to discern, and follow through with what we believe is more important.

Prov. 21:5 - "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." A sure way to success is genuine hard work and patience.

Prov. 21:6-7 - "A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.  The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right."  Truth always prevails, and divine justice will always have its way.

Prov 21:9 and 21:19 - "Better to live in a corner of the roof than share a home with a quarrelsome wife... Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife."  Take effort to communicate and don't grumble.

Prov. 21:16 - "A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead." Follow the Lord's ways and you will find eternal life.

Prov. 21:17a & 21:21 - "He who loves pleasure will become poor... He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor." Seek after worldly things and become devoid of a strong spirit and life-giving understanding.  Seek godly things and be blessed in many different ways.

Prov. 21:30-31 - "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.  The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord." God's plan always prevails.