Today's Verse: Proverbs 16:19

Thursday, August 23, 1945

Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What is your source of significance? This proverb challenges us to view the world upside down compared to the rest of our culture. It's similar to how Jesus taught us to live in the Sermon on the Mount - to not live for the here and now, but to live for the Kingdom of God here and now because we know our Father in heaven sees us and values what we do (Matthew 6:1-4, 6, 17-18). God values humility and our willingness to be identified with the lowly and oppressed - again, similar to how Jesus lived. Abusive power and arrogance are not pleasing to God. God didn't just give us this proverb; he sent us his Son to demonstrate it (Philippians 2:5-11). Now, if we will only choose to live this truth. And Jesus challenges us to display it when he says, "Follow me!" For...
Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

My Prayer...

Father, I do recognize my weakness and vulnerability to temptation, to the lure of my culture's facades, and to the pressure to be like the "popular crowd." Thank you for Jesus: You had power but displayed humility, and you had position but identified with the abandoned, forgotten, and rejected. Please use me to be a difference-maker in my world by including those who are left out, forgotten, and disenfranchised. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 16:19 — Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, August 23, 1945

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"The marrow of Job's comfort lies in that little word "My"-"My Redeemer," and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh! to get hold of a living Christ....."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony..."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"I tell you, if you are serious about wanting to be like Christ, He is going to put you in circumstances where your only true choice is to become like Him."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Disciple, One day you will hear the angels sing in celebration around the throne of God (Revelation 5:11-13). However, I wish you could hear..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.