Daily Devotion

Learning from Proverbs 30:5 NIV > Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. > 上帝的话句句千真万确，祂作投靠祂之人的盾牌。 No one in this world would confidently dare to say that every one of his own words is flawless, pure, or completely true. Yet Agur boldly declared that every Word of God is flawless. This reminds us that we can fully trust every Word written in the Bible. God’s Word does not fail. It remains true even when circumstances change, people disappoint us, or our feelings fluctuate. Not only can we trust His Word, but when we dwell in it, we can also find peace, strength, wisdom, and comfort. His Word is like a shield, protecting and guiding those who take refuge in Him. You too can experience this protection and assurance. Just need to dwell in His Word daily. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, thank You for Your flawless Word. Help me to trust in it fully and to find my strength, wisdom, and protection in You each day. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 30:4 NIV > Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know! When you read this verse, what comes to your mind? Is there a person you are thinking of? Who has ascended to heaven and come down? As believers, this verse naturally reminds us of Jesus Christ. What is also amazing is this: How did Agur know that God has a Son? This was written long before Jesus came into the world. It reminds us that God is able to reveal truths and mysteries to people even before the fulfillment comes. Sometimes, what God reveals may not happen immediately, but that does not mean it will never happen. God’s timing is different from ours, but His plans and promises will surely come to pass. Reflection Am I willing to trust God even when I do not yet see the full fulfillment of His plans? Let’s pray...

Learning from Proverbs 30:2–3 NIV > Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One. Whose words would be included in the Book of Proverbs? Surely such a person must be someone of calibre and wisdom. Yet Agur was not proud or boastful. Instead, he spoke with great humility. Rather than praising himself, he openly admitted his limitations before God. This teaches us something important: A truly wise person knows that there are still many things he does not know or cannot do. The more knowledgeable a person becomes, the more he realises how limited he actually is. Pride says, “I know everything.” Wisdom says, “I still have much to learn.” Lord, give me a humble and teachable heart. Help me not to become proud, but to always recognise my need for Your wisdom and guidance. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 30:1 NIV > “The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance. This man’s utterance to Ithiel: ‘I am weary, God, but I can prevail.’” Different Bible translations render it differently:  NIV: “ *an inspired utterance* ”  ESV: “ *the oracle* ”  KJV: “ *the prophecy* ” When we hear such words, we know they carry weight and significance. They are not casual sayings, but words worthy of our attention and reflection. The first phrase says: “I am weary, God, but I can prevail.” Perhaps some of us today feel the same way. We may feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed by life. Even Agur, a man whose words were recorded in Scripture, openly admitted his weariness before God. Yet his response was not hopeless. He still believed he could prevail. We may not know what Agur was going through, and I may not know what you are facing today. But one thing we can learn from him is this: turn to God and continue believing.  *You can prevail. You can over...

Learning from Proverbs 30 Do you know who Agur is? Most probably many of us would say, “Who is this person? I don’t know him.” Yet this man’s words of wisdom were featured in one of the final two chapters of the Book of Proverbs. When we learn how to write an essay, we are often taught that the introduction and conclusion are very important.  Likewise, the placement of Agur’s words near the ending of Proverbs must have a purpose. Most of Proverbs 1–29 are connected largely to King Solomon and his wisdom sayings. But when we come to Proverbs 30, the tone changes. Agur speaks with humility. Instead of boasting about wisdom, he openly admits his limitations before God. This reminds us that true wisdom is not about knowing everything, but about recognising how much we still need God. Sometimes, the wisest people are not the most famous, but the most humble. God can use even lesser-known people to speak truths that impact generations. Over the next few days, let us dwell on these wisdom...

Learning from Proverbs 1-29 Before we go into Proverbs 30 and 31, this can be seen as a closing reflection for Proverbs 1–29, which are connected mostly to King Solomon and the collections of wisdom sayings. One thing we may notice is this: Why are there so many repeated themes and similar verses throughout Proverbs?  *This is intentional.*  Wisdom is not just about learning information once, but about continually reminding ourselves how to live rightly. People easily forget. That is why Proverbs repeatedly talks about: 1. Fearing the Lord 2. Guarding our words 3. Avoiding pride 4. Being diligent 5. Choosing good companions Wisdom requires *constant reflection and practice.*  Different verses may repeat similar lessons using different examples and pictures so that we can understand them more deeply. Just like in life, our struggles are often repetitive. People repeatedly struggle with anger, temptation, pride, greed, and careless speech. Hence, God keeps reminding us agai...

Learning from Proverbs 29:21 NIV > A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent. > 从小娇纵的仆人，最终必反仆为主。 This verse reminds us about the importance of balance in how we treat people. Kindness is important, but without wisdom, boundaries, and proper guidance, people may slowly become entitled or disrespectful. This situation is not limited to masters and servants. It can happen in families, schools, workplaces, and many other relationships. For example, in a workplace, if a boss or supervisor is overly lenient all the time without accountability or discipline, some employees may eventually take advantage of the situation or even become disrespectful. The issue is not about being kind, but about lacking wisdom in leadership and guidance. True care includes both grace and boundaries. I like this Chinese saying: 恩威并施 Reflection Am I showing kindness with wisdom and proper boundaries? Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to lead and treat others with both kindness and wisdom. Teach me...

Learning from Proverbs 29:5 NIV > Those who flatter their neighbours are spreading nets for their feet. > 奉承邻舍，等于设网罗绊他。 There are people who like to flatter others, and there are also people who enjoy being flattered. Personally, I am careful around such behaviour. Not because I have never received flattering words before, but because flattery is often not sincere. Many times, flattery is used to gain favour, influence, or advantage. Flattery is also different from encouragement. Encouragement speaks truth to help a person grow. Flattery, however, often feeds pride and self-importance. Instead of helping a person grow, it may cause someone to become dependent on praise and unable to accept honest correction.   所谓 阿谀奉承 We should learn to speak sincerely and encourage others truthfully, not manipulatively. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to speak with sincerity and truth. Teach me to encourage others genuinely and guard my heart from pride and flattery. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 29:15 NIV > A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. > 管教之杖使孩子得智慧，放纵的子女让母亲蒙羞。  This verse reminds us that discipline is an important part of growth. Recently, some schools have started bringing back caning as a form of disciplinary consequence. In the past, many schools gradually reduced or discouraged its use. At the same time, some parents also became resistant whenever schools tried to discipline their children. Over time, this has contributed to a weakening of discipline in certain areas. However, we must remember this, the main purpose of discipline is not punishment, but correction and guidance. In addition, Parents must also spend time guiding, teaching, and imparting the right values at home. Children grow best when schools and parents work together consistently. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, give parents, teachers, and leaders wisdom in discipline. Help us to guide the next generation with love, patience, ...

Learning from Proverbs 29:1 NIV > Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy. > 屡次受责，仍然硬着颈项的人，顷刻之间就会被摧毁，无法挽回。 不要执迷不悟 不要冥顽不化 This verse gives us a serious warning. When we are not doing the right thing and people try to correct us, we should not reject their correction. If we keep refusing to listen, we may eventually face consequences that could have been avoided. Just like a math teacher correcting your mistakes if you choose to ignore it, you may end up failing the subject. Correction is not to bring us down, but to build us up. Reflection Am I willing to listen and change, or do I keep resisting correction? Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, give me a humble and teachable heart. Help me to receive correction and grow, so that I will not walk into unnecessary consequences. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 28:23 NIV > Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favour rather than one who has a flattering tongue. > 责备人的至终比谄媚者更受爱戴。 This verse reminds us that honest correction is more valuable than flattery. Flattering words may sound pleasant, but they do not help a person grow. On the other hand, truthful correction may feel uncomfortable at first, but it brings long-term benefit. During the Tang dynasty, there was a minister, Wei Zheng, who dared to offer blunt and honest advice to Emperor Taizong on many matters of state. After his death, the emperor said “By using bronze as a mirror, one can straighten one's attire; by using history as a mirror, one can know the rise and fall of nations;  *by using people as a mirror, one can discern one's own gains and losses* . Now that Wei Zheng has passed away, I have lost one mirror.” This shows how valuable honest feedback is. A wise person does not reject correction, but treasures those who speak truth. Ref...

Learning from Proverbs 28:19 NIV > Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. > 勤奋耕耘，丰衣足食；追求虚幻，终必贫乏。 This verse reminds us 不要做白日梦 It is not wrong to have dreams or ambitions. No, there is nothing wrong. In fact, it is good to have goals in life. But we must be careful not to turn our dreams into unrealistic fantasies. Dreams require effort. They require discipline, hard work, and prayer. If we only imagine and do nothing, there will be no results. Success does not come by chance. 千万不要守株待兔 We cannot expect opportunities to always just come to us while we sit and do nothing. God calls us to be diligent, to take action, and to be faithful in what is before us. Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to be diligent and faithful. Teach me not just to dream, but to take action with wisdom and perseverance. Amen! https://youtu.be/D365p9i7T9U?si=i5kRY6zUEdcuYaHP

Learning from Proverbs 28:2 NIV > When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. > 国中因有过犯，就有许多首领争权；但靠着有悟性、有知识的人，国就得以长存。 When I read this verse, I am reminded of the Chinese saying 天下大势，分久必合，合久必分 When leadership is weak or corrupt, confusion and division often follow. People begin to compete, and order breaks down. But when a leader is wise, discerning, and upright, there is stability, direction, and peace. (China history has many such examples) This principle does not apply only to nations. It also applies to families, workplaces, and even our own lives. Where there is wisdom and understanding, there is order. Where there is a lack of it, there is confusion. 所谓 治国有道 Reflection  *Am I bringing wisdom and order into the areas I am responsible for?*  Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, grant me wisdom and understanding. Help me to lead and live in a way that brings order, peace, and stability to those around me. Amen!

Learning from Proverbs 28:1 NIV > The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. > 恶人未被追赶也逃窜，义人坦然无惧如雄狮。 When we live wrongly, we often live in fear. Even when no one is chasing us, our hearts are uneasy. 所谓 问心无愧 Reflection Am I living in a way that gives me peace before God? Let’s pray 🙏 Lord, help me to live rightly before You. Give me a clear conscience and a steady heart, so that I may walk with confidence and peace. Amen!