June 17 - When People Mean Harm

June 17 - When People Mean Harm

JUNE 17 - When People Mean Harm 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 18:3–5; 1 Samuel 19; Psalm 59 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018%3A3%E2%80%935%3B%201%20Samuel%2019%3B%20Psalm%2059&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites blows. It is not good to favor the wicked or to strike the righteous in the gate.” — Proverbs 18:3–5 (ESV) “But Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, to kill him in the morning. And Michal, David’s wife, told him, ‘If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.’” — 1 Samuel 19:11–12 (ESV) “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from evildoers who speak lies, from those who are violent in their pride.” — Psalm 59:1–2 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever faced someone who seemed determined to bring you down—maybe a jealous friend, a bully at school, or just people spreading rumors? It can feel scary, unfair, or even hopeless. Proverbs 18 warns about the damage that wickedness and pride can do, especially when people target the innocent. In 1 Samuel 19, David’s life was in danger because of King Saul’s jealousy, but God gave him protection and even used his friends to help him escape. Psalm 59 shows us that it’s natural to feel fear, but God is always ready to deliver and defend those who trust Him. Facing opposition or people who want to hurt us can be intimidating, but these verses remind us that we are not alone. God is watching, guiding, and protecting us—even when it doesn’t look like it. His protection doesn’t always remove the challenge immediately, but it gives us the courage and wisdom to respond in ways that honor Him. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Recognize True Motives: Are there people in your life who act out of jealousy, pride, or anger? How can Proverbs 18:3–5 help you respond wisely instead of reacting with anger? 2. Trust God’s Protection: When David faced danger in 1 Samuel 19, God used both His power and the help of others to keep him safe. How can you rely on God when you feel threatened or unsafe? 3. Pray for Deliverance: Psalm 59 reminds us to ask God for protection. Who or what do you need to pray about today, asking God to defend and guide you? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE Even when others try to harm you, God’s protection and guidance are stronger than any threat. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for being my protector when I face people or situations that want to harm me. Help me to respond with wisdom, not fear or anger, and remind me that You are always watching over me. Strengthen my faith to trust in Your protection and guidance every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 16 - Listening Over Isolation

JUNE 16 - Listening Over Isolation 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 18:1–2; Psalm 70; 1 Samuel 18 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018%3A1%E2%80%932%3B%20Psalm%2070%3B%201%20Samuel%2018&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” — Proverbs 18:1–2 (ESV) “Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!” — Psalm 70:1 (ESV) “Saul was very angry, and this anger was kindled against David; and he said, ‘Because the Lord has been with him… he has become more honorable than I, and everything he does succeeds.’” — 1 Samuel 18:8 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever felt frustrated when people didn’t understand you—or maybe when you felt misunderstood? Sometimes, it’s tempting to withdraw and just focus on your own thoughts and desires. Proverbs 18:1–2 warns that isolating yourself can keep you from wise counsel and real growth. Life isn’t meant to be lived alone, and ignoring good advice can actually make things harder. At the same time, there are moments when we feel urgency or even fear, like David in Psalm 70, calling out for God’s help quickly. And just like David’s experience in 1 Samuel 18, success or favor can sometimes trigger jealousy in others, reminding us to rely on God rather than be distracted by what others think. Being a teen can feel like a constant mix of pressures—from friendships, school, family, or social media. But God calls you to balance honesty with humility, expressing yourself while still listening to others and depending on Him. Isolation might feel safe, but true strength comes from connection, prayer, and trusting God to handle jealousy, competition, or misunderstanding. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Value Advice: Are there areas in your life where you’ve been ignoring guidance or feedback from wise people? How can listening more open doors to growth (Proverbs 18:2)? 2. Call on God Quickly: When you feel stressed or overwhelmed, how can you practice turning to God immediately, like David did in Psalm 70:1? 3. Stay Humble in Success: How can you maintain a humble and God-focused attitude even when you achieve something that might make others jealous (1 Samuel 18:8)? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE True wisdom comes from balancing your voice with listening, relying on God in every situation, and trusting Him to guide your steps. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for always being ready to hear me and help me. Teach me to listen as much as I speak, to trust You when I feel misunderstood or overwhelmed, and to stay humble when I succeed. Help me rely on Your guidance instead of isolating myself or being distracted by others’ reactions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 15 - Strength in Calm Confidence

JUNE 15 - Strength in Calm Confidence 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:27–28; 1 Samuel 17 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A27%E2%80%9328%3B%201%20Samuel%2017&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” — Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” — 1 Samuel 17:45 (ESV) ________________________________________ Have you ever felt like everyone around you is talking too much, giving opinions, or creating drama? It’s easy to get caught up in the noise, but Proverbs 17:27–28 reminds us that wisdom often shows up in calm, thoughtful words. Sometimes staying quiet and thinking carefully is more powerful than reacting impulsively. David’s story in 1 Samuel 17 shows another kind of calm confidence. Everyone saw a giant, Goliath, and panicked—but David trusted God. He didn’t rush, yell, or try to impress anyone with big talk. Instead, he faced the giant with faith, focus, and the quiet strength of someone who knew God was on his side. Like David, we don’t have to compete with loud voices or prove ourselves through boasting. True strength comes from knowing God is with us and acting with courage and wisdom. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Pause Before You Speak: How can practicing restraint in your words (Proverbs 17:27) help you avoid unnecessary arguments or misunderstandings? 2. Trust Over Fear: When facing challenges that seem bigger than you, how can you rely on God’s strength like David did (1 Samuel 17:45)? 3. Quiet Confidence: In what ways can staying calm and focused in stressful situations show more courage than getting loud or trying to control everything? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE Wisdom and courage aren’t loud—they come from calm confidence in God’s strength and guidance. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that true strength comes from You and that wisdom is found in a calm, thoughtful spirit. Help me to pause before I speak, trust You in every challenge, and face my “giants” with courage and confidence in Your name. Teach me to act with faith and not be swayed by fear or noise around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 14 - Wisdom Over Anger

JUNE 14 - Wisdom Over Anger 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:25–26; Psalm 69; 1 Samuel 16 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A25%E2%80%9326%3B%20Psalm%2069%3B%201%20Samuel%2016&version=WEB&interface=print]// 3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “A foolish son brings grief to his father, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof. One who has knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding is calm.” — Proverbs 17:25–27 (ESV) “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.” — Psalm 69:1–2 (ESV) “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) ________________________________________ Sometimes life feels like a storm you can’t control. You might get frustrated with parents, siblings, friends, or even yourself. Proverbs 17:25–27 reminds us that foolish words and unchecked anger only make problems worse, while wisdom and calmness protect both you and others. In Psalm 69, David describes feeling overwhelmed, like he’s drowning in problems, yet he turns to God for rescue. And in 1 Samuel 16, God reminds us—and Samuel—that what really matters isn’t appearances or what others think, but the condition of the heart. These passages teach us that it’s okay to feel frustrated or weighed down, but how we respond matters. Acting in anger or pride may make things worse, but seeking God, listening, and responding with patience and understanding can turn a storm into an opportunity for growth. Your heart, more than your image or your reactions, is what God cares about most. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Control Your Words: How can you respond calmly instead of reacting in anger when conflicts arise (Proverbs 17:25–27)? 2. Seek God in Overwhelm: When life feels like it’s “flooding over” you (Psalm 69:1–2), what practical steps can you take to rely on God instead of panic or frustration? 3. Focus on the Heart: How does remembering that God looks at your heart (1 Samuel 16:7) change the way you handle peer pressure or the desire to impress others? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE Wisdom, patience, and a heart aligned with God guide you through life’s storms and help you respond rather than react. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing my heart and not just my mistakes or appearance. Help me control my words and actions, trust You when life feels overwhelming, and focus on growing a heart that pleases You. Teach me to respond with wisdom and patience in every situation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

June 13 - The Heart Behind the Action

JUNE 13 - The Heart Behind the Action 3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:23–24; 1 Samuel 15 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017%3A23%E2%80%9324%3B%201%20Samuel%2015&version=WEB&interface=print] //3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmHfWh] // ________________________________________ “A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. The discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.” — Proverbs 17:23–24 (ESV) “But Samuel said, ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’” — 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) ________________________________________ It’s easy to get caught up in doing what looks right on the outside—getting good grades, helping out at home, or appearing “good” in front of friends—but Proverbs 17:23–24 reminds us that God cares about what’s going on inside: our heart and our motives. In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul learned the hard way that partial obedience or doing things his own way wasn’t enough. God wasn’t impressed with his sacrifices when his heart wasn’t fully aligned with His commands. For teens, this can hit close to home. We might try to “check the boxes” of being a good person while ignoring selfish motives, shortcuts, or small compromises. God isn’t fooled by what looks right; He sees your heart. True wisdom isn’t just about making good choices—it’s about cultivating a heart that loves, listens, and obeys Him fully. ________________________________________ THINK ABOUT IT 1. Heart Check: Are your actions motivated by love for God or by wanting approval from others (Proverbs 17:23–24)? 2. Obedience Matters: Like Saul, have you ever done the “right thing” in the wrong way? How can you ensure your obedience comes from the heart (1 Samuel 15:22)? 3. Focus on Wisdom: How can keeping wisdom in view guide your decisions daily, instead of just reacting to what’s easiest or most convenient? ________________________________________ BOTTOM LINE God values a heart that obeys Him fully, not just actions that look good on the outside. ________________________________________ PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing my heart and not just my actions. Help me to love You with sincerity and obey You fully, not just do what looks right. Teach me wisdom and guide my decisions so that my life honors You in every way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.