Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.1
Our bodies need food and so does our soul. We need to surround ourselves with people who strengthen, encourage, and comfort us. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.2
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff the wind drives away.4
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.5 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. . . . Because they hate knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”6
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.7 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.8
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.9
Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. . . . For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly10 [“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. . . .”11]—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.12
Notes:
1. Proverbs 16:20
2. Proverbs 27:17
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
4. Psalm 1:1-4
5. Proverbs 1:7
6. Proverbs 1:22-33
7. Psalm 16:7-8
8. Psalm 16:11
9. Psalm 2:10-12
10. Romans 5:1-6
11. John 3:16-21
12. Romans 5:8
