Daily Devotions · June 4
Reading for June 4
Read the whole Bible in a year, a few chapters a day.
Proverbs 28–29 · Psalm 60 · Romans 16
Proverbs 28–29 · Psalm 60 · Romans 16, Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 28
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. 3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully. 6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. 7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. 8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. 9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable. 10 He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. 11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him. 12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. 14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. 17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him. 18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. 23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. 24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys. 25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. 27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses. 28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Proverbs 29
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. 2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4 By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it. 5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6 An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. 7 The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns. 8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. 13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both. 14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever. 15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. 16 When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul. 18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. 19 A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. 20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21 A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end. 22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. 24 A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify. 25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD. 27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
Psalm 60
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us! 2 You have shaken the land and torn it open. Heal its fractures, for it is quaking. 3 You have shown Your people hardship; we are staggered from the wine You made us drink. 4 You have raised a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee the bow. Selah 5 Respond and save us with Your right hand, that Your beloved may be delivered. 6 God has spoken from His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem and apportion the Valley of Succoth. 7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter. 8 Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Have You not rejected us, O God? Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies? 11 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. 12 With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.
Romans 16
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me. 3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman. Greet those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my beloved Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings. 17 Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, who has hosted me and all the church, sends you greetings. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you greetings, as does our brother Quartus. 24 25 Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past 26 but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain.
How to SOAP
Grab a journal and a pen. Read the chapters above and watch for the verse that stops you. Then take it through four steps.
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Scripture
Write out the verse that stood out to you.
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Observation
What is it saying? Who is speaking, and to whom?
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Application
What does it mean for your life today? Be specific.
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Prayer
Talk to God about it. Ask Him to help you live it.
Your SOAP journal
Write your SOAP here. Tap any verse in the reading to add it to Scripture. Your journal saves on this device only, so no one else sees it.
Added to your journal. Go to journal
Why daily devotions?
Devotions are time set aside each day to read God's Word and let Him speak. The point isn't checking off chapters. It's meeting with Him.
Ten or fifteen minutes is enough to start. Pick a time and a place and keep the appointment. Mornings work well for a lot of us, before the phone and the day start talking.
Missed a day? Don't start over. Read today's chapters and keep going.