Daily Archives: January 18, 2026

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: Wisdom

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Read Proverbs 1:1–7

I serve as president of a small public charity that gives scholarships to undergraduate students. Recently one recipient wrote a letter of thanks, saying: “I am grateful for your investment in my career, and it won’t go to waste.” Then he quoted Proverbs 14:23, “All hard work brings a profit.”

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are two books of the Bible considered wisdom literature. Both books offer important observations about God and humanity, living with wisdom versus living foolishly. Wisdom can be described as the knowledge it takes to live life skillfully. Having wisdom doesn’t mean you’ll always be profitable, but it does mean that you’ll be able to navigate your way through life’s various situations.

The foundation of wisdom is learning to respect the Lord. Proverbs describes this as the fear of the Lord (v. 7). The phrase does not mean being terrified of God. Rather it means having respect for Him and His ways. Ecclesiastes ties this to obeying God’s commandments (Eccl. 12:13). Neither the Proverbs nor Ecclesiastes make promises the way promises are typically understood. Both agree that failure, difficulty, and frustration are part of the human condition. Wisdom literature does remind us that, in the end, we answer to a God who does not always tell us why He does what He does.

In life, we may work very hard at something and still fail. That does not negate the biblical principle that hard work is good. It also does not negate that in a sinful world hard work does not always produce the fruit we want. Wisdom stands as the bedrock foundation of our confidence. We are to fear the Lord above all else and trust that He alone controls the results of your labor.

Go Deeper

Do you feel like you bear the responsibility for the results of your work? Have you considered that your toiling and striving may be more about yourself than about honoring God? Extended Reading: 

Proverbs 1-2

Pray with Us

Lord, thank You for the important principles You revealed in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. We ask for Your wisdom and knowledge. May we trust You, even when we don’t understand Your ways.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.Proverbs 1:7

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Faith and False Accusation

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I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9

Today’s Scripture

Nehemiah 6:1-9

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Today’s Devotional

Driven by powerful winds, the fire raged for days. The historian Tacitus describes a chaotic scene filled with screams and citizens running for their lives. In the end, nearly two-thirds of Rome had been destroyed. The Roman emperor Nero falsely accused believers in Jesus of starting the fire. He hated Christians and selected them to be the scapegoat for the disaster—one that was rumored to have been ordered by Nero himself!

Nehemiah also faced the blistering heat of false accusation. He’d been a servant to the king of Persia but had been allowed to return to Jerusalem with other Israelites to repair its walls (Nehemiah 2:1-10). When the wall was repaired, however, enemies accused the Jews of “planning to rebel” and making Nehemiah “their king” (6:6 nlt). How did they respond to false accusations? By declaring and living out their innocence (v. 8), courageously standing in God’s power (v. 11), and praying fervently to Him (v. 14). Their enemies were ultimately “frightened and humiliated” as they “realized [the wall reconstruction] had been done with the help of . . . God” (v. 16 nlt).

At times, we’ll be falsely accused by others. But as God provides the strength we need, we can forgive our accusers and “live such good lives” that, though “they accuse [us] of doing wrong, they may see [our] good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

Reflect & Pray

Why are believers in Jesus sometimes falsely accused? How can you live out a courageous faith?

 

Loving God, thank You for helping me when I’m falsely accused.

Check out this article to learn more about standing firm with the Lord.

Today’s Insights

Nehemiah was serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia when he learned that the Jewish remnant who’d returned to Jerusalem was in trouble. The wall of Jerusalem had been broken, and the gates burned (Nehemiah 1:3). Nehemiah fasted and prayed to God (v. 4), and the king graciously allowed him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild (2:1-6). When Nehemiah arrived and announced his plans, the Jewish leaders replied, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” (v. 18 nlt). Opposition began almost immediately (v. 19), but Nehemiah wasn’t discouraged by the false accusers. He declared, “The God of heaven will give us success” (v. 20). As with Nehemiah, when we trust in God, He’ll give us strength to stand even against those who falsely accuse us.

http://www.odb.org

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – A Shame-Free Life

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I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:4–5 (ESV)

When a woman has been wounded in her soul, sometimes hurt and pain are not the only things that result. Sometimes, depending on the type of wound, she can end up in shame—ashamed of what has happened to her and even ashamed of who she is. She may think what happened to her is her fault or took place because of something flawed in her.

Shame makes a person feel dirty, unattractive, awkward, devalued, and unlovable. Often shame causes us to feel we are unworthy of having hopes and dreams, and it causes us to lose confidence doing things we would otherwise feel strong and comfortable about doing. It can poison our thoughts, feelings, and decisions to the point that we become withdrawn and hopeless. If I had to summarize briefly what shame does, I would say that it makes us feel like something is wrong with us, though we may not be able to pinpoint exactly what it is.

The things that wound our souls can leave a complicated set of consequences in our lives, and shame is often added to them. Especially in situations of sexual abuse, shame is only one of many results of being violated. I know this from personal experience, and I also know that it is possible to break free from shame completely. It is so important that we learn to do this, because if we don’t, we will not be able to fully enjoy the life Jesus died to give us.

Our own thoughts and feelings can easily keep us trapped in shame, but God’s Word sets us free. Jesus promises in John 8:32 that we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. This means we can be free from everything that holds us captive, including shame.

I want to remind you of two more of God’s promises today as a way of encouraging you to be confident that you do not have to live in shame any longer. God says through Isaiah, Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth… (Isaiah 54:4 ESV). In case you’re wondering, the word confounded means ashamed, defeated, confused, or overthrown. It also means damned or doomed to punishment. That’s not a good way to feel, but when we are ashamed of who we are, we can easily feel doomed and defeated. God does not want us to feel that way! And in the short Book of Zephaniah, He says, Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth (3:19 ESV).

God wants you to live a shame-free life, full of faith, confidence, peace, and joy. Stay in His Word and fill your mind with God’s promises, and He will help you leave your shame behind you.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for Your truth that sets me free. Heal every place of shame in my heart and help me walk boldly in the confidence of Your love, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org