Scripture: Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Observation: Nowadays, we often hear about the sudden demise of physically active and strong people. Doctors say that many of them die due to heart-related diseases. Medical journals say that almost 25% of mortality is caused by cardiovascular diseases. Along with prescriptions, many doctors say, "be happy, worry for nothing." The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” In Proverbs, we see many such verses that tell us the significance of keeping our hearts peaceful and cheerful (Pro.14:30; 15:13,30; 16:15). People may say, "I want to be happy, but how is it possible while I have many problems." We must know that our happiness is not the result of what we have; it is our choice to be happy, regardless of anything. We Christians have every reason to choose to be happy all the time.
In Philippians 4:4, apostle Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we read that rejoicing always is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Our joy is not depending on our circumstances. It comes from the Lord. When prophesying about the impending Babylonian invasion, Prophet Habakkuk says, no matter whatever happens to him, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Hab.3:17,18). Even during trials and sufferings, we are called to be happy (James. 1:2; 1 Peter 4:13). We can tell that the joy of the Lord is our strength, for our Lord Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). We should not allow any sin, lust, and worldly desires to ruin our joy in the Lord. Many things in the world can crush our spirits. But our Lord Jesus binds up the brokenhearted and gives freedom to the captives (Is.61:1; Luke 4:18). The joy that the Lord gives us is everlasting joy. As Proverbs 15:15 says, “The cheerful heart has a continual feast.” It is our choice to be happy in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us remember that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom.14:17).
Application: Lord Jesus gives me the joy that no one can give. He gives it freely to all who are thirsty and come to him. I need to remain in him to receive his strength to face any situation. Instead of finding joy in my life situations, I should seek the Lord with all my heart to be filled with his joy and the joy of his presence. The Sovereign Lord is my strength and the source of my happiness. He gives me the joy of his salvation.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for the eternal joy you give me. Jesus, thank you for the joy of your salvation that no one can take away from my heart. Holy Spirit, help me to remain in Christ and give me your strength to be happy all the time. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 350
Scripture: Proverbs 18: 10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Observation: In ancient times, people who lived in fortified cities were safer than others from enemies’ attacks. Because castles were built with strong walls and storage places so that people could survive if enemies put a siege on them. Even today, when a disaster or natural calamity comes, people would run to safe places to protect themselves. People who are rich and poor, educated and uneducated, regardless of gender, social and economic differences, would seek shelter in a protected place. In Proverbs 18:10, we read, "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower.” The phrase “the name of the Lord” is used only in this verse in Proverbs. The name of the LORD refers to the LORD himself.
The name of the LORD reveals God’s nature and qualities. When Moses asked God’s name, God said, “I AM THAT I AM.” It is God's self-revealing name about his character, trustworthiness, and faithfulness (Exo.3:14,15). Creator God discloses His name to human beings to meet their needs and answer their questions. Knowing the name of the LORD helps us grow in our personal relationship with him. Our relationship with God is a continual and ever-growing relationship in which we know him better every day. The name of the Lord is as strong as the LORD. It is reliable at all times. In times of need, danger, and emergency, we can run to it. The quicker and faster we run to God, the swifter he acts on behalf of us. God welcomes and accepts all who come to him and rescues them. Some people seek God only when they have any problem or need beyond their capacity. We should seek and trust him ALWAYS. Sometimes, the storms, failures, problems, relationship issues, sicknesses, and disasters remind us of the need to have God in our lives.
Psalm 20:7-8 reminds us that those who trust God will never fail, but they always “rise up and stand firm.” Do we run away from God or run towards God? Let us examine ourselves: How do we run to the name of the Lord? Let us dwell “in the shelter of the Most High.” “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly” (Col.3:16). “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (Ps.91:9,10).
Application: As David sings, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” The name of the LORD reminds me who my God is. I worry for nothing because of Who He is and what He is. The great “I AM” lives in me. Jesus gives me all that I need. In Christ, I am a new creation. “The old has gone, the new is here!” I must remain in Christ. I should always read, believe, and obey His Word. The more often I run to him, the more I will become like him.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for being my rock which I can always go. Jesus, thank you for your grace that abounds in my weaknesses. Holy Spirit, help me remember the name of the Lord and run to it and be safe always. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 351
*Scripture:* Micah 6: 8 He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Observation: In India, people would offer different kinds of offerings—from milk to liquor, grains to gold, vegetables to animals (rarely even to the level of human sacrifice)—to appease a deity or to seek prosperity, according to the local traditions. Here, in a hypothetical conversation, Micah wants to know whether offerings or sacrifices could help him get God’s favor. He is ready even to offer his firstborn. But God said, “NO” to all of these. Instead, God told him three commands that are applicable for all times. He asked them to do three simple things: “to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.” In Amos 5:14-15, we see similar words. In Micah’s time, Israelites were said to “hate good and love evil” (Micah 3:2). Micah 6:8 gives us a summary of what God expects from us.
Justice means giving people their due or rights. It is not retributive justice but restorative justice. Our sacrifices do not please God. He desires mercy, not our offerings. We should show love and mercy to others so that they also can taste God’s love. We need to be merciful because our God the Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). God wants us to be humble before him. Walter Kaiser explains, “To walk humbly is simply to live by faith, for faith is the antithesis of pride.” The Bible says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Pet.5:5). God is against any form of human pride because it diverts the attention from God. Faith keeps God at the center of life, but pride always focuses on one’s self. Those who walk with God will not have pride.
Micah called his people to listen to God. Micah 6:8 is an invitation to listen to God. It is a call to act upon God’s word. Let us remember that we cannot do anything as the Lord expects us until we come to God in repentance to be with him. As Spurgeon says, “It was a spiritual worship that the Lord required; not externals, not outward gifts, but the heart.” Many Christians think that they can earn God’s favor by doing certain things for the Lord. But God sees our heart, not just what we do. He desires us to be truthful in the innermost being. God has made it clear about what he expects from us. We must obey and live accordingly.
Application: My God is Good all the time. His love and expectation for me never change. The Good God expects good things from me. His message is not an incomprehensible puzzle. It is clear and understandable for all. I must live in God’s standard for life to do justice, show mercy, and walk humbly. I cannot please God and earn his favors through my offerings. I must continue to live in a personal relationship with God and be willing to share his love and mercy with others as well.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for the threefold message that challenges me to practice what I believe. Lord, give me your Spirit’s strength to fulfill your expectations. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 352
Scripture: Nahum 1: 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In the gale and the storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
Observation: We human beings are used to focusing more on what is convenient and encouraging to us than on matters that are uncomfortable to us. When people think about God, their thoughts are usually connected with what they know about Him. Concerning God, people emphasize his love more than any other aspect of him. Of course, God is love, and his love is eternal and inseparable from him. When reading and listening about God's punishment for sin, many people think, How a loving God could punish his creation? When we study about God, we should not do what false teachers are doing—choosing the text out of its context to interpret it according to their incorrect understanding of God’s word. Here, Nahum’s words remind us of what God proclaimed to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7.
The central theme of Nahum’s prophecy was the fall of Ninevah. However, Nahum 1 tells us about God’s characteristics and his power. Sometimes, people mumble about why God is not doing anything against the wrongdoers. Why does God overlook the sins of people? Why do the wicked continually grow up and increase while the righteous suffer? Here, Nahum 1:3 reminds us of God’s two significant characters. An old saying says, “Little knowledge is always dangerous.” Concerning God also, it is true. So, we must make efforts to know him better every day to have a complete and biblical understanding of God. God is able to protect his people; he has the power to establish justice for all. If we have a coin or money printed on only one side of it, it has no value and becomes void. Therefore, we need to seek God by preparing ourselves to know him more and become familiar with what we have not yet learned about him.
Application: I am alive because God is kind to me and saved me from punishment. If God is angry with everyone, none of us will be spared. However, his grace gives me the confidence to believe what he did for me in his love. The love aspect of God encourages me to remain in his love. God’s punishment for those who disobey him serves as a warning to return to Him. I should be careful to give a proper interpretation of God’s word to help people love him more and more.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your grace that fills me and overflows through me. Lord, help me remain in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and celebrate his love every day. Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the truth in God’s word about his love and plan for me. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 353
Scripture: Habakkuk 1: 12 Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. 13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
Observation:*When we face problems or see injustice, we often ask, “Why God?” At such times, we may doubt God or complain to him about the injustice around us. Prophet Habakkuk sees the injustice in his land and wonders why God is not doing anything? While complaining about the sins of Judah, he is also not able to accept the impending God’s judgment that the ungodly Babylonians will punish his (Habakkuk’s) people. In the book of Habakkuk, we see a unique conversation between God and his prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk takes his questions to God and expects him to answer them; Habakkuk is not afraid to ask his questions. In the first chapter, he expresses all his "why" questions to God. He expectantly waits on God to receive answers to his questions (Hab.2:1). In the second chapter, we see God’s answer to Habakkuk’s question. In the third chapter, through a prayer, Habakkuk confesses his faith in God and expresses what he will do when God sends his judgment.
In this conversation between God and Habakkuk, we see profound practical truths that apply to all the times. When we have questions or doubts about God, we can directly ask God and get answers from him, for he is our God. Asking our questions to the right person is essential to receive appropriate answers. Like Habakkuk, we, too, can ask God. Many a time, people do not wait for God to answer them. We need to wait on God “to see what he will say” to us (2:1). When God answered Habakkuk, he understood that whoever may come against God’s people, “the righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (Hab.2:4). It helped Habakkuk to sing, whatever happens to him, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (3:18). Our doubts and questions about God can help us understand him deeper and increase our faith. The question is, “Do we take our questions to God?”
Application: The Lord God is my God and my Holy One. He is the everlasting and righteous God. When injustice and violence, strife, and conflict abound around me, instead of allowing my situations to disbelieve God, I will ask God all my questions, and he will answer me and clear all my doubts and fears. “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab.3:19). Because, I live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor.5:7).
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for the love that enables me to come before you. Lord Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, help me to be strong in my faith on all occasions, trusting your faithfulness. Holy Spirit, help me to overcome my weaknesses and strengthen me to overcome the world with faith. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 354
Scripture: Proverbs 22: 6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Observation: Former Indian President A.P.J Abdul Kalam loved to spend time with children and students. He encouraged them to dream about their future and often said, “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.” For him, “Dream is not that you see in sleep; Dream is something that does not let you sleep.” All students in primary schools enthusiastically answer with high ambitions about what they want to be in the future. However, very few of them succeed in their ambitions. Though various factors are involved, a disciplined life is essential for success in anything. Proverb 22:6 teaches us that we must educate and train our children for their future.
In today’s world, children spend more time with electronic gadgets than with their parents. Many parents are confused with many worldly ideas and dreams about their children's future and try to impose them on their kids. As Christian parents, we are responsible for giving godly instruction to our children and training them to learn the Word of God when they have their school education. It is always good for children to develop and train their lives with godly principles. Many parents are afraid to correct and discipline their children for various reasons. Christian educator Howard Hendricks offers a wise suggestion, "Your primary concern is not what they think of you now, but what they will think 20 years from now." The Bible says that a loving father/mother would discipline their children (Heb.12:5-11). It is better to discipline them now than regret it later. More than any available books on parenting, the Bible offers the best parenting principles to show love and help to grow to be helpful for all. Heb.12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
There are many examples of successful godly parenting in the Bible and history. Parents are the first teachers to their children. Many of us forget that we primarily learn from our parents. Many Christians consider that Pro.22:6 is a promise. However, it is a biblical principle that warns us to live a godly life and train our children accordingly. In our churches and homes, we must do our best to help the children know God and his word and follow them sincerely.
Application: As a child of God, I must follow God and obey his discipline. I must practice self-discipline before I suggest it to others. Godly discipline brings a godly generation. I should never undermine godly parenting. I must practice and preach godly discipline that blesses all.
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for your love that corrects and disciplines me. Lord, give me the heart to obey your words and train our children to grow in godly discipline. Holy Spirit, help me to raise a godly generation for God’s glory. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 355
Scripture: Haggai 2: 18 ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: 19 Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “‘From this day on I will bless you.’”
Observation: We begin various works at different times. However, many of them get dropped over time, and only a few are fully accomplished until the end. Some unfinished works have been shelved for a long period without seeing their completion. Like Shubert's unfinished symphony, some works have yet to see their completion. Sometimes, people may forget the original purpose of such unfinished works. We see such an instance in the history of Jews. In 538 B.C., after 70 years of exile, as the Lord prophesied to his people, King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Within two years, they completed the foundation work of the Lord’s temple. However, when they faced opposition, threats, and imperial order against their work, they soon forgot to rebuild the temple.
The returned exiles became busy building their houses and were making excuses that “The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house their affairs” (Hag.1:2). After the foundation was laid out, there was no improvement in the gloriously started temple work (about 16 years ago) until God stirred the people through prophet Haggai. So God repeatedly called the remnant people to “Give careful thought” to what he says about them (Haggai 1:5, 7, 2:15,18.) God reminded his people that their disobedience was the reason for their unfruitful work and poor harvest (Deut.28:38–39; Lev 26:20). However, when God spoke to them, they “obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai” (Hag.1:12). When the Jews obeyed and changed their priorities to put God’s work first, they received great promises and God’s assurance of his presence. With God’s help through his prophets and people’s obedience to God’s words to do his work, as history says, the temple work was finished within four years. It was not as magnificent and big as Solomon’s temple. However, our Lord Jesus visited the small second temple and spoke to the crowd. When they kept God and his work in the first place, it became a blessing for many. At times, we, too, may have prioritized our own works instead of God’s work. When we keep the main thing the main thing, it turns out to be a blessing for many. We need to give careful thought to what God wants us to do. Let us examine ourselves and give careful thought to whether we keep God at the center of our life and focus on his works.
Application: When I face opposition and an unfavorable environment against God’s work, I should not take it as an excuse to abstain from God’s work and focus on something else that matters to me. I should seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. When I keep God at the center of my life, he gives me all I need. As a Christian, I should do whatever the Lord asks of me. When I obey God and focus on his priorities, my life will become a blessing for many.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for choosing me to be your child to proclaim the praises of God, who called me out of darkness into his marvelous light. Jesus, thank you for teaching and giving the faith that overcomes the world. Holy Spirit, help me to obey God’s words and strengthen me to live accordingly. Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 356
Scripture: Proverbs 24: 32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 34 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Observation: Unlike the previous generations, human life has become easy due to available technologies and new tools that simplify our work. We can do many things/works without even moving from one place. However, it has a flip side that invites many problems for us. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle is becoming a global issue that causes many health issues today. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimate, a sedentary lifestyle is “the fourth largest global killer” today. Many current Statistics give us a warning that this should not be continued. Here, in Pro.24:32-34, Solomon tells us what he observed and learned when he saw the poor condition of the field of a sluggard.
Scholars suggest that all our body senses should be open to learning new and useful things. The author just saw a lazy person's vineyard that has no proper maintenance and is full of weeds and thorns. Then, he analyses how it may have happened and shows us a picture of a typical lazy person who refuses to leave his bed or do anything by making excuses. Proverbs 24:32-34 repeats the same that we read in Pro.6:10-11. Interestingly, none wants to be a sluggard, but all laziness starts from postponing and procrastinating things to another time. A lazy person wants to do everything without getting down from bed (Pro.6:9, 26:14). The author of Proverbs says that poverty and scarcity would be the reward for laziness. In other words, a sluggard will earn nothing by laziness but will receive harmful consequences. However, those who work hard will have abundance (Pro. 12:11). Proverbs 6:6 indicates that a lazy person can learn from even ants and needs to be active and wise like them. If we neglect to give proper care to our spiritual and physical needs, we will find no fruits in them. We should be like the prudent son “who gathers crops in summer.” Like a plant needs continual care, our spiritual life requires our attention to be strong in the Lord and grow in him. Our physical and spiritual freshness is reflected in our daily activities. We should not neglect God, his word, and the Holy Spirit. If we want to bear fruits, we must remain in Christ. He prunes us to bear more fruits for the glory of God. We should not neglect our relationship with God and our spiritual life.
Application: I should not be a lazy person in my life. I must give proper care to my body and spiritual life. I should be careful to keep my spiritual and physical life active and refreshing. I should not neglect my responsibility to care for my physical and spiritual life. I will keep my relationship with the Lord Jesus intact and intimate by reading the Bible, praying regularly, remaining in him, and living like him.
Prayer: Father God, help me be an active Christian, to practice what I believe about you. Realizing our life is short, and Jesus’ coming is near, I pray for the salvation of all people. Holy Spirit, help me be faithful and be an active Christian always. Amen
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 357
