For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
I went with the NIV translation of today’s proverb, but I read several other translations as well. Someone who is not friendly separates themselves from others and only cares about what they perceive as benefiting themselves. They start quarrels that it makes no sense to have, quarrels where neither side gains anything.
I will do as this psalm commands. I will praise God every day and tell the next generation of His mighty acts. He is good and has been compassionate to me. I have witnessed the faithfulness and righteousness of God. Let us not be shy in telling others about what we have seen God do in our lifetimes. I will praise the Lord and encourage all that lives to do the same.
After an unproductive stay in Athens, Paul moved on to Corinth. When he got there he started preaching at the synagogue every sabbath, working as a tent maker (or leather worker, the correct translation is unclear) with Aquila and Priscilla to support himself. When Silas and Timothy got there, Paul was able to spend more time preaching. It was at this point that some of the Jews began to oppose him and his message. Those who opposed Paul did not just disagree with him and argue with his claims. They insulted him. Rather than meet his arguments with reason and scripture, the Jews who disagreed with the Gospel message resorted to calling Paul names. Rather than continue to argue with those who would descend into name calling rather than admit they had lost the argument, Paul moved on. This is an important lesson for us. When those we are attempting to convince of the Gospel message begin to reject it on the basis of ad hominem arguments, it is time to stop trying to convince them and move on.
Joash was raised by the high priest, Jehoiada. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord because Jehoiada instructed him. However, Joash left the shrines in the high places, where people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense. It is not clear in the NLT, but these were places where people worshiped both God and idols. There would be religious reforms and people would return to worshiping God. They would worship God at these high places, but over time pagan practices would slip into their worship. Eventually, the pagan practices would work their way back into Temple worship. This repeated pattern tells us the importance of testing our faith and practices against those living outside of our local faith community. In a way it tells the importance of the larger Church body.