READING FOR AUGUST 1, 2025: PROVERBS 14, TITUS 3, PSALM 75 PROVERBS 14 The first three verses speak against the foolish, which certainly seems to be a terrible designation to have in the Bible. Foolish people tear down the family, behave in sneaky ways, and continually say words that cause trouble for themselves. Verse 4, however, is wonderful advice for all organizations: There will be messy situations when people are working hard; if there are no messes, likely no work of any value is being accomplished.Leaders, have some tolerance for messy stalls!! The next verses tell us to be truthful, respect knowledge, don’t consort with the foolish, and live a purpose life—not an aimless one.
Friends are great, but Solomon explains there is a limit to what any friend can understand about us: “The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy” (vs 10). Yet, there is One who knows our every thought and cares for us deeply: “You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold Lord, You know it all. You have encircled me behind and in front and placed Your hand upon me” (Psalm 139: 3-5).
Verse 12 is one of the most sobering in all of Scripture: “There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.” With all the media messages coming at us constantly, are we certain that we and our families are on the right way? According to Solomon, the consequences are life and death. Verses 26-27 give the only right way: “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life by which one may avoid the snares of death.” So, do we want to honor the Lord today? Solomon gives us practical advice: “One who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but one who is gracious to the needy honors Him” (vs 31).
This chapter and most chapters in Proverbs give us help be wise and ways to avoid being foolish people? But could any of these sayings be applied to larger groups, say a church or even a country. Consider verse 34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” During political campaigns there’s lots of talk about the economy and security. Do we con- sider how our community, state, or country could act in righteous ways? Seemsimportant.
TITUS 3 As might be expected from someone with a clear and consistent theology, Paul inserts phrases in this letter that echo sentiments expressed in other letters. For example, Paul begins this chapter admonishing Titus to obey the governing authorities, which were set up by Rome at this time. This is stated more fully in Romans 13 and connected with evangelism in 1 Timothy 2. Those Christians today who regularly preach against the government as the “deep state” should reflect on these passages. There are also Christians today who equate concern for social justice as forsaking the Gospel. It’s true some denominations have focused solely on
READING FOR AUGUST 1, 2025 CONTINUED: TITUS 3, PSALM 75 social action while ignoring the Gospel. Paul, however, the greatest explainer of the Gospel, urges us to be gentle, caring to all people and slanderous to none—certainly including those who are unbelievers and are in need of material support. An over-reaction to those who are ashamed of the Gospel is understandable but not biblical. Let’s obey all the Bible.
In fact, starting in verse three, Paul links our good works to unbelievers to the great Gospel message. All of us were once sinners and unbelievers. Yet God showed us kindness along with all of humankind. The greatest kindness is God sending His Son to die for our sins, to rise in victory over death, and to offer salvation to all who believe—no matter how terrible our past. We are made righteous in God’s sight and given eternal life by God’s grace, not according to any good we have done. This great kindness toward us then must prompt us to do good works to all people—including those caught in the cycle of generational poverty or by being innocent victims of war.
PSALM 75 There are endless reasons to give thanks to God. In differentiating the specific reasons, it keeps our thanksgiving fresh and focused. Here Asaph thanks God for His nearness or immanence. God is with us in an intimate way: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel, which translated means, ‘God with us”’ (Matt. 1:28). Titus 3 commands that believers do good works in the midst of a fallen world. We know such works not only emulate our loving God but also are not done in vain. At the perfect moment, God will judge the world with perfect justice. Yes, the earth with its apparent shakiness veers from one crisis to another and isn’t functional on its own. God, however, is always there undergirding it: "He [Jesus]is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17).
Is there anything wrong with lifting a horn, such as a trumpet or tuba? Not at all. A horn in this case, though, is a symbol of strength. Remember the altar was constructed with four horns, signifying God’s strength. On the other hand, Daniel had a vision about horns: “a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Dan. 7:7). In this case as with Psalm 75, horns represent a defiant show of strength opposing God.
As with the horns mentioned in Daniel and reprised in Revelation, these prideful sources of power will not prevail against God. He will remove and judge them, and the Lord Jesus will be exalted over all. The reference to cup in verse eight stands for God’s wrath, as in Isa. 51:17 and Jer.25:15. The mixed drink is also significant: He [worshippers of the Beast] also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger” (Rev. 14:10). Remember that Jesus accepted the cup and experienced the Father’s wrath for us: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39).
