The Sister Letters

The Proverbs Challenge Day 12 - Chapter 12

Hi, Woman of God

Happy Friday! Welcome to Day 12 of the Challenge!We are almost half way through the Challenge and I can't believe how quickly January is flying by already. Let's dive into the Word for today - below are my study notes for today's chapter using the S.O.A.P method! 

SCRIPTURE

Proverbs Chapter 12 (verses 25, 26 and 27). 

OBSERVATION

Coincidentally, the 3 verses that I felt led to meditate more on from this Chapter were lined up next to each other: verses 25, 26 and 27. These verses each give wisdom on very different topics, but all are so relevant to my life in this season. Verse 25Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.Sometimes a good word is simply the encouragement of a loved one, but the most powerful word of all to receive to lift your countenance is the word of God. I am always amazed at how much my mood is lifted when I listen to the word of God.These are some ways that a good word can bring peace and joy to my heart and deliver me from depressive states:1. Gospel music (worship and/or praise)2. Christian messages by inspired men/women of God3. Fellowship with loved ones who share the spirit of GodVerse 26The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.This verse is similar to Proverbs 11:14 from yesterday. Choosing friends wisely is linked to your destiny. We all appreciate the importance of choosing our men wisely, because of course, we know that this is one of the biggest decisions we will make in our lives, who we decide to build a life with. However, choosing friends seems like such a trivial thing because friendships are often approached casually with little intentionality. Yet. this verse tells me that if I choose friends who are pursuing the ways of the wicked, no matter how righteous I may be, those friends will lead me astray. It is our responsibility to choose our friendships just as wisely too, now that we have been made the righteous of God through Christ. Praise God for giving us discernment and wisdom in the friends we surround ourselves with.Verse 27The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.Diligence is a recurring theme in this chapter. I made a reel on Instagram recently on the leaving the "Lazy Girl Era" behind in 2023. That reel resonated with a lot of people because laziness is something that the enemy uses to keep people barren. However, Solomon has filled the book of Proverbs with keys for overcoming laziness and walking in discipline throughout the chapters we are reading together over this month. This verse teaches that a lazy man will possess something valuable and not prepare, cultivate or use it. Whereas a man with diligence will enjoy all that he has attained because he will put in the work required to bring the increase. Another verse that summarises this perfectly is in tomorrow's chapter: Proverbs 13:4 "he soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied". 

APPLICATION

Verse 25A good word is medicine to the soul. I will continue to feed my soul with the nutrition it needs in the form a good words. I will apply the ways mentioned above that I can find ways to remain hearing God's word throughout my day.Verse 26As with yesterday's chapter, I will continue to pray for my relationships and who I welcome close into my life. I will nurture the community of women that I have around me and find ways to be a good friend to the women God has called into my life.Verse 27I will meditate on the many verses on diligence and pray them over myself regularly, that the spirit of diligence will be my portion. Laziness and its friends will have no place in my life as God continues to energise me with vision and purpose for the life He has called me to live. 

PRAYER

Abba Father, thank You for another day in Your word. Thank You because Your word is joy to my heart, removing anxiety as I meditate in it. Thank You for relationships that lead me closer to You and not away from You. Thank You for diligence and for the grace to overcome all forms of laziness and lethargy. I pray that my hunger for Your truth only increases every day as I sit in Your word. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

See you tomorrow for Day 13 Follow me on Instagram at @creatortochi for updates and encouragement throughout our challenge. With my love,Tochi