I sometimes find it hard to discover sources of regular encouragement. As I read my newsfeed, or scan through the latest controversy or cancelation on social media, rarely does an impetus to endure raise its head. But Paul reminds me of just such a resource at my fingertips.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

These past scriptures Paul refers to, our Old Testament, provide a gushing spring of endurance and encouragement. Endurance in the lives of those we read about and encouragement in God’s care for his people.

It’s popular today to discount the teachings of the Old Testament as too ancient or out of touch for our modern era. But Paul pushes an opposite agenda. We need those scriptures.

Everything that was written in the past—enduring wisdom from the hand of God—exists for our benefit. To help encourage us in the faith and to build endurance to live the faith, and even to flourish in the midst of our challenging world.

These Scriptures endured thousands of years. We need them if we hope to enjoy and live out our faith a few dozen more.

Romans 15 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Karim MANJRA

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

But great wealth with turmoil makes for good TV.

I remember watching Dallas—great oil wealth with turmoil the size of Texas. Can you believe who shot JR?

My wife and I enjoy The Crown. Opulence and turmoil bookend the Queen of England’s seventy years on the throne.

Even Gilligan’s Island portrayed the shipwrecked troubles of the millionaire Thurston Howell III and his darling wife Lovey.

While I enjoying watching the turmoil of the wealthy, I’m glad I don’t live it. Contentment coupled with the fear of the Lord might not get me on Dr. Phil, but it makes for a good life.

Proverbs 15:16 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Much is written today about the passing along of wealth from one generation to the next, about assets accumulated by baby boomers and how they might pour into the next generation. But what if something better than wealth passes from the older to the younger?

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

To respect and follow the Lord creates a place of security, a shelter of the Lord’s making. This apparently passes to our children.

Of course, not every child embraces the faith, and others meander away for a time. But to stick with the Lord, to maintain a life-long walk, creates a haven for our families. No timeline appears—this place of refuge exists to the end of our days.

And then, by the grace of God, it’s repeated in the next generation.

I hope when I’m gone, years from now, I leave my children at least a little bit of wealth. I certainly don’t want to burden them. But more importantly, the scriptures underscore the value of leaving a life of faith for those under our care.

Proverbs 14:26 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Anne Nygård

I watched an ad on TV last night, featuring innovators (including kids riding bikes in fancy ways), risk-takers and a professional basketball player. The theme of the ad? Fortune favors the brave. What product was I to buy? Cryptocurrency. I don’t know enough about cryptocurrencies to determine whether it’s a good investment or not. But the ad came across as fortune favors the brave, cool hip young people are brave, so send us your money.

Actually, I believe that fortune often favors the brave. But this ad felt foolish to me. Maybe I’m old and out of touch.

Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, expended a lot of ink on the topic of the fool. His insights always balance with the actions of the wise, or prudent. Apparently the kingdom Solomon ruled held plenty of foolish subjects to use as object lessons.

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

So much insight contained in so few words. At times I’ve plunged ahead thinking, what could go wrong? I should have listened to the wisdom I brushed aside.

For sure don’t listen to me on investment advice—I miss out on pretty much all the major trends. But don’t listen to manipulative advertising either. A financial advisor seems a better place to start.

While fortune may (at times) favor the brave, I read in the Good Book how fortune always favors the wise.

Proverbs 12:15 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Zoltan Tasi