Daily Devotion

Learning from Proverbs 16:33 NLT > We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. > 人可以摇签求问，但耶和华决定一切。 When I was younger, I remember trying to use dice or reciting certain sequences to decide my MCQ exam answers. I believe I was not the only one who did something like that. This verse reminds us that even when people cast lots, throw dice or rely on chance, the outcome is ultimately not in our control. We can throw the dice or draw the lots many times, but we still cannot determine the result. In the same way, relying on luck, superstition, or shortcuts does not give us true direction. Instead of placing our trust in chance, we are called to place our faith in God. Already 31 days into 2026, may we stop depending on luck or random signs, and start trusting the Lord who truly directs all things. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to trust You and not chance. Teach me to seek Your guidance in every decision I make. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:32 NLT > Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  > 不轻易发怒者胜过勇士，能自我控制胜过攻陷城池。 A person who holds the keys of patience and self-control is able to survive, and even thrive, in many work conditions. This verse reminds us that true strength is not shown through force or power, but through patience and self-control. In daily life, this may mean - Choosing to pause before responding in anger - Staying calm during conflict at work - Controlling our emotions when things do not go our way As we walk through 2026, may we practise patience and self-control in our words, actions, and attitudes. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, teach me patience and self-control. Help me to show true strength in the way I respond to others. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:31 ESV > Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. > 白发是荣耀的冠冕，行为公义方能得到。 Recently, I did not shave my beard for almost ten days. When my students noticed it, they said, “Teacher, your beard is white. It makes you look wiser.” Not long after that, I shaved it away. Ideally, as we grow older, we should also grow wiser. However, wisdom and being righteous do not come from age alone, but from a life lived according to God’s Word. As we walk through 2026, may we continue to follow God faithfully and grow in wisdom each day. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me grow wiser as I grow older, by walking in Your ways. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:26 NIV > The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. > 工人的胃口促他工作， 口腹之需是他的动力。 What is the motivation behind your work? For many of us, we work because we need to provide for ourselves and our families. That is necessary and good. Beyond that, some of us work so that what we earn can fulfil personal desires, goals, or comforts. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the fruit of our labour, but this verse invites us to reflect deeper. Is our work driven only by need and desire, or also by purpose? When our motivation is aligned with God’s values, work becomes more than survival or self-fulfilment. As we journey through 2026, may we allow God to shape the reason why we work. Let our labour be driven not just by hunger, but by meaning and faithfulness. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:16 NIV > How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver. > 得智慧胜过得黄金，获悟性胜过获白银。 Gold and silver, who doesn’t want them? Yet if we possess wealth but do not know how to manage, keep, or use it wisely, it can be lost very quickly. Wisdom gives value and direction to everything we have. Without wisdom, wealth becomes unstable. With wisdom, even little can grow and be stewarded well. As we walk through 2026, may our pursuit not be centred on possessions, but on wisdom and understanding. When we seek wisdom first, God teaches us how to handle both abundance and lack. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to seek wisdom above wealth. Give me insight to steward what You have entrusted to me well.

Learning from Proverbs 16:8 ESV > Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. > 收入微薄但行事公义，胜过获利丰厚却不正当。 This proverb reminds us that how we gain matters more than how much we gain. A smaller income earned with integrity brings peace of mind, while great wealth gained through injustice often carries hidden costs guilt, fear, and unrest. As we walk through 2026, may we choose integrity over profit, and faithfulness over shortcuts. What we gain honestly, even if it is little, is far more valuable in God’s eyes. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to walk in righteousness. Teach me to value integrity over gain, and to trust You as my provider. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:6 NIV > Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;  > through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. > 慈爱和忠信可让罪恶得赎， > 敬畏耶和华使人远离罪恶。 This verse shows us two powerful ways God works in our lives. First, *love and faithfulness.*  Imagine someone who has just been released from prison. Instead of being rejected, he is met with grace, patience, and love from his family and community. This love does not excuse the crime or the sin, but it opens the door for repentance, restoration, and a second chance. Second, *the fear of the Lord.*  Picture another person who is tempted to commit a crime. Because he fears the Lord, he chooses not to go down that path and walks away from evil. One shows how God restores us after we fall. The other shows how God protects us from falling in the first place. May we be people who receive God’s love and faithfulness, and also live with a healthy fear of the Lord that keeps us on the right path. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:5 ESV > Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. > 耶和华厌恶心骄气傲者，他们必逃不过祂的责罚。 This verse is a strong reminder that we should never take arrogance lightly. In what ways can a person be arrogant and yet not realise it? One important thing to understand is that arrogance is not always loud or boastful. Often, it hides quietly in our attitudes and thinking. That is why someone can be arrogant without being aware. Some common hidden forms of arrogance include - Relying on ourselves instead of relying on God - Planning, acting, and deciding first, and only seeking God when we are desperate - Having an unteachable spirit - Quietly thinking we are more spiritual or better than others - Taking credit for ourselves instead of giving glory to God - Judging others with a critical heart And many more. As we walk through 2026, may we allow God to search our hearts. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, b...

Learning from Proverbs 16:4 ESV > The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. > 耶和华所造的万物各有其用，连恶人也是为灾难之日所造。 Everything is created for a purpose. Yet many times, our struggle is not with God’s purpose - but with our perspective. When we look at life through our own eyes, many things seem unfair or confusing. But God sees the whole picture. What feels like an interruption to us is often part of His purpose. This reminds me of the chorus from the song “Holy Fire”: Let me see through Jesus’ eyes Let me feel how He would feel Let me love as He loves And give as He gave Oh Lord make me more like You When we begin to see through Jesus’ eyes, everything changes. People look different. Situations feel different. Even suffering takes on a deeper meaning. May we learn not to judge life by our limited understanding, but to trust God’s perfect wisdom. And may our prayer be this: “Lord, help me see what You see, and trust Your purpose in all things.” 🙏

Learning from Proverbs 16:3 NIV > Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. > 把你的事交托耶和华，你的计划必实现。 所谓 谋事在人，成事在天。 Basically, whatever we do, committing it to the Lord should never be the last resort. It should be the first. We may plan carefully and act diligently, but the outcome ultimately rests with God. As we walk through 2026, may we learn to begin every plan with prayer and trust. Not turning to God only when things go wrong, but inviting Him into every decision from the start. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, I commit all that I do into Your hands.  Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:2 NIV > All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. > 人看自己的行为都纯全，但是耶和华却衡量人心。 If you have watched Beast Games before, you would have seen all sorts of characters being revealed. The kind and the generous. The good and the selfless. But also the deceitful and the liars. Under pressure, true motives surface. People may justify their actions and appear right in their own eyes, but the heart cannot hide forever. 正如所说 人心难测，海水难量。 Yet what is difficult for us to discern is never hidden from God. He weighs not just what we do, but why we do it. As we walk through 2026, let us not only examine our actions, but also our intentions. Let’s pray Psalm 139:23-24 for ourselves: 23 Search me, God, and know my heart;     test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me,     and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 16:1 NIV To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. 心中的策划在于人，应对之言来自耶和华。 This verse reminds us that while responsibility lies with us to plan diligently, dependence must lie with God to direct, correct, and bring clarity at the right moment. We plan, we think, and we prepare to the best of our ability. Yet wisdom comes when we recognise that final direction belongs to the Lord. God sees what we cannot see and knows the right timing and response. As we move through 2026, let us hold our plans with humility.  *Plan faithfully, but pray earnestly.*  Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to plan responsibly and depend fully on You. Guide my heart and my words according to Your will. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 15:33 NIV > Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. > 敬畏耶和华乃是智训， > 学会谦卑才能得尊荣。 We have been reminded many times throughout the book of Proverbs about the fear of the Lord. Each time it appears, it is placed within a different situation, reminding us that the fear of the Lord applies to every area of life. So what does the fear of the Lord really mean? As mentioned in one of my earlier sharings, it is not about being afraid of the Lord. Rather, it is about living with a constant awareness of His presence. - In our daily lives - In the things that we do - In the words that we speak - In the thoughts that we think Is God there? As we walk through 2026, may we live each day with this question in our hearts Is God there? 心中有神，行事有度 Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, teach me to fear You in the right way. Help me to live with humility and awareness of Your presence in every part of my life. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 15:28 NIV > The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. > 义人三思而后答， > 恶人张口吐恶言。 I still prefer the Chinese translation, as it reminds us to 三思 before we respond. 何谓三思？ 三思可谓 1. 思危 To consider the possible risks and consequences 2. 思退 To know when to pause, step back, or hold our words 3. 思变 To consider if a different response or approach is needed This is why we need to think carefully before making decisions or speaking our words. A righteous heart does not rush to respond, but weighs its words with wisdom and restraint. As we journey through 2026, may we practise 三思 in our conversations and choices. When we slow down and reflect, our words are more likely to bring peace rather than regret. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, teach me to pause and think before I speak. Guard my heart and my mouth, so that my words may reflect Your wisdom. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 15:22 NIV Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 缺乏商讨，计划失败；集思广益，事无不成。 Fail to plan, plan to fail. Have you experienced something like what is mentioned in this proverb? I believe many of us have. When a team comes together to complete a project without discussion or alignment, problems often surface along the way. Unless everyone truly 心灵相通, misunderstandings, duplicated efforts, and mistakes are almost unavoidable. God reminds us here that wisdom is not meant to be carried alone. Seeking counsel is not a sign of weakness, but of humility and foresight. Listening to different perspectives helps us see blind spots and strengthens the final outcome. As we walk through 2026, let us be intentional about planning well. Seek advice, invite discussion, and be open to correction. When we plan with others and before God, our work stands on firmer ground. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, give me a humble heart to seek counsel. Help me to plan wisely and wo...

Learning from Proverbs 15:17 NIV Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. 粗茶淡饭但彼此相爱，胜过美酒佳肴却互相憎恨。 I really like the Chinese phrasing and comparison in this verse 粗茶淡饭；美酒佳肴 彼此相爱；互相憎恨 The contrast is clear and powerful. What truly matters is not what is on the table, but what is in the heart. To show love to someone, we do not need to lavish them with material things. Love is spelt as time. It is shown through presence, listening, patience, and choosing to be there. A simple meal shared together, with time and attention, can be far more meaningful than abundance without affection. As we journey through 2026, let us slow down and love well. May our homes be filled not just with provision, but with time, warmth, and genuine care for one another. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, teach me to love sincerely. Help me to give my time freely, and to reflect Your love in the way I care for others. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 15:16 NIV > Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.财物虽少但敬畏耶和华，胜过家财万贯却充满烦恼。 There are many people with great wealth, yet their lives are in a mess. One recent example is Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. At his peak, he was a billionaire admired by many. Yet behind the wealth were deception and poor integrity. Today, his fortune is gone, his reputation destroyed, and his life filled with legal consequences and turmoil. (Can just search for more info on Google) This reminds us that wealth, by itself, cannot bring peace. Without the fear of the Lord, riches often come with anxiety, broken relationships, and restless hearts. 正如所说 家财万贯，不如心安理得。 True peace does not come from how much we own, but from how we live before God. As we walk through 2026, may we seek a life that is anchored in reverence for the Lord, contentment, and inner peace. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, teach me to fear You above all else. Help ...

Learning from Proverbs 15:13 NIV A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. 心中喜乐，容光焕发； 心里悲伤，精神颓丧。 Sidetrack a bit. If every young person starts reading Proverbs in the Chinese version, I believe they would be able to write better Chinese essays. The verses are rich, expressive, and full of life wisdom. Back to this proverb. Happiness must come from the heart. When the heart is joyful, it naturally shows on the face. But when the heart is burdened, no smile can fully hide it. So how can one have a happy heart? A happy heart is not found in perfect circumstances, but in a right perspective. It comes from knowing God, trusting Him, and resting in His faithfulness. It grows when we learn gratitude instead of comparison, contentment instead of envy, and hope instead of worry. When our hearts are anchored in God, joy becomes deeper than emotions and stronger than circumstances. As we journey through 2026, may we guard our hearts well. For from it flows our joy, ...

Learning from Proverbs 15:4 NIV The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.温和的言词是生命树，乖谬的话语伤透人心。 As shared many times that our words carry great power. They can either give life or slowly wear someone down. A soothing tongue sounds like this - “I understand you’re trying your best.” - “It’s okay, let’s work through this together.” - “Thank you for your effort, I see it.” These words may seem small, but they strengthen, encourage, and bring hope, like a tree that provides shade and fruit. A perverse tongue sounds like this - “You always get it wrong.” - “What’s wrong with you?” - “Why can’t you be more like others?” Such words may be spoken in frustration, but they linger in the heart and can crush a person’s spirit. As we walk through 2026, let us be intentional with our words. May our speech become a tree of life in our homes, workplaces, and church. Let people leave our conversations feeling strengthened, not wounded. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, I pray tha...

Learning from Proverbs 15:3 (NIV) > The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.耶和华的眼目无所不在，无论善人恶人，祂都鉴察。 正如俗语所说：人在做，天在看。 In today’s world, we can set privacy settings on our phones, apply privacy screen protectors, use incognito mode, or do things without others knowing. To people, it may seem hidden, but nothing escapes the Lord’s eyes. In fact, deep down, we know that God knows. That is why when we do something wrong, guilt often follows. That inner unease is not meant to condemn us, but to remind us that God sees and cares about how we live. As we walk through 2026, let us choose integrity not just in public, but also in private. Living with the awareness of God’s presence leads us to repentance, honesty, and freedom. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to live with integrity, knowing that You see all things. Guide my heart and actions to please You. Amen!

Moving into Proverbs 15. Learning from  Proverbs 15:1 NIV A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.温和的回答平息怒气，粗暴的言词激起愤怒。 Two days ago, I shared about 忍一时风平浪静，退一步海阔天空。 Today, I would like to share a Chinese passage that I learnt when I was 16. Here it goes: 人生本是一出戏， 因为有缘才相聚。 相扶到老不容易， 是否更该去珍惜。 别人生气我不气， 气出病来没人替。 我若气死谁如意， 况且伤神又费力。 I will not continue with the remaining lines, as my focus is on the last four. These four lines carry a simple but profound wisdom. When others are angry, choosing not to be angry is an act of strength, not weakness. Anger does not punish the other person, it often harms ourselves instead. Harsh words stir up conflict, but gentle answers protect our hearts and preserve relationships. As we journey through 2026, we will face moments that test our patience. May we remember that responding gently is a choice that brings peace, health, and wisdom. Let our words reflect God’s grace, not our emotions. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, teach me to respond ...

Learning from Proverbs 14:31 NIV > Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. 欺压穷人等于侮辱造物主，怜悯贫弱就是尊敬造物主。 This truth is echoed in Matthew 25:31- 46, where Jesus teaches that whatever we do for the least of His brothers and sisters, we do for Him. As we walk through 2026, let us keep our eyes open to the needs around us. Compassion is not always about grand gestures, but often simple acts of care, generosity, and empathy. When we choose kindness, we are not just helping people, we are honouring God Himself. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, open my eyes to those in need. Help me to show kindness that brings honour to You. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 14:30 NIV > A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.心平气和，滋润生命；妒火中烧，啃蚀骨头。 忍一时风平浪静，退一步海阔天空. This proverb reminds us that inner peace is not just an emotion, but a choice. When we hold on to envy, comparison, or resentment, it quietly consumes us from within. But when we choose to restrain ourselves, to let go, and to step back, peace takes root in our hearts. As we journey through 2026, many situations may test our patience and emotions. Choosing peace over envy, and restraint over reaction, allows God to bring calm where there could have been conflict. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, give me a heart at peace. Help me to let go of envy and choose restraint, so that my life may reflect Your peace. Amen!

Learning from  Proverbs 14:19 NIV > Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.坏人俯伏在善人面前，恶人俯伏在义人门口。 This verse brings to mind Qin Hui, the powerful chancellor of the Southern Song dynasty. He falsely accused the loyal general Yue Fei of treason, leading to Yue Fei’s execution in 1142. At that time, power seemed to belong to the wicked, while righteousness was silenced. Yet history did not forget. Today, statues of Qin Hui and his wife are depicted kneeling in shame at Yue Fei’s memorial, while Yue Fei is honoured as a symbol of loyalty and righteousness. This proverb reminds us that truth and righteousness may be delayed, but they are never defeated. God’s justice may not appear immediately, but in time, what is right will be acknowledged, and what is evil will be exposed. As we walk through 2026, let us choose to stand firm in righteousness, even when it seems costly or unnoticed. In God’s time, He will vindicate the uprigh...

Learning from Proverbs 14:14 NIV > The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.背弃正道，自食恶果；善人行善，必得善报。 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆 You reap what you sow. This verse reminds us that our choices carry consequences. Faithlessness and compromise may seem unnoticed at first, but they eventually bear fruit. In the same way, goodness and faithfulness, even when unseen, are never wasted before God. As we walk into 2026, let us be mindful of what we are sowing daily. Every attitude, decision, and action is a seed. Choose to sow faithfulness, obedience, and goodness, trusting that God will bring the right harvest in His time. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to sow what is good and pleasing to You. May my life bear fruit that honours You. Amen!

Learning from  Proverbs 14:12 NIV > There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.有一条路看似正确，最终却通向死亡。 三思而行 Think carefully before acting. It is still the early part of January 2026. There are many decisions that will require our attention. Do not rely only on feelings or trends when making decisions. What seems right in the moment may not always lead to life. Instead, seek God’s Word and His guidance before making major decisions this year. When we pause, pray, and listen to God, He directs our steps onto the right path. Let’s pray 🙏 Lead me in Your ways, Lord, and not in my own understanding. Amen!

Learning from  Proverbs 14:6 NIV > The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 嘲讽者徒然寻智慧，明哲轻易得知识。 虚心学习，还是心存嘲讽？ Those who scoff at correction or think they already know enough will find themselves stuck. But the discerning receive knowledge easily because they remain humble and teachable. As we begin 2026, let us choose to cultivate a teachable spirit. Be willing to listen, to reflect, and to grow. When we humble ourselves before God, He delights in leading us into deeper understanding. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, keep my heart humble and discerning. Teach me to listen, learn, and walk in Your wisdom. Amen!

Learning from  Proverbs 14:5 NIV > An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. 忠实的证人不会撒谎，虚假的证人谎话连篇。 实事求是，还是谎话连篇？ It is so easy to tweak the truth and speak for our own convenience or benefit. But once we start down that path, it becomes hard to turn back. As we step into 2026, let us commit to honesty in both speech and action. Let truth guide our decisions, even when it is uncomfortable or costly. My personal verse for this year is Romans 12:2 > Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. When our minds are renewed by God’s truth, our words will naturally reflect His truth. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, guard my mind and my mouth, so that I will seek Your truth and speak Your truth.

Learning from Proverbs 14:3 NIV > A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. 愚人的狂言招来鞭打，智者的唇舌保护自己。 Trouble comes from careless words. This is so true. Words spoken in pride or haste can easily bring harm, while wise words protect both ourselves and others. Why not make it a goal this year to speak thoughtfully. Think before we speak or act. Let our words bring peace at home, at work, and in church. Let's pray 🙏  Lord, guard my mouth and let my words bring life.

Learning  Proverbs 14:2 NIV > Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise Him are devious in their ways. 正所谓 行得正，走得稳 When you walk rightly, your path is secure. Do you want to walk securely this year? It begins by aligning your choices with God’s ways, even in the small decisions. Integrity at the start of the year sets the direction for the whole year. When we choose to fear the Lord, we are not driven by shortcuts or compromise. We can walk with clarity, peace, and confidence, knowing God is guiding our steps. Let’s pray 🙏 Teach me to fear You, Lord, and to walk uprightly in all I do.

 Learning from Proverbs 14:1 NIV > The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 所谓 - 积少成多 Small actions accumulate into great outcomes. At the start of this year, let us pay attention to cultivating good daily habits. We can learn from the wise woman and choose to build wisely. So what can we build for our life? 1. We can build a consistent relationship with God through daily prayer and reading His Word. 2. We can build godly character by choosing patience, humility, and integrity in our actions. 3. We can build healthy relationships by speaking words that encourage and choosing forgiveness over resentment. 4. We can build a peaceful home by creating an atmosphere of love, respect, and grace. 5. We can also build a life that honours God through small acts of obedience each day. We can build many things. But we can also tear them down easily. The foolish one tears down not always through big mistakes, but often through neglect, careless...