Morning Readings
Go Forward
Exodus 14:5-18
5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" 6 So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. 7 He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. 8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen [a] and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen."
Footnotes:
- Exodus 14:9 Or charioteers; also in verses 17, 18, 23, 26 and 28
Evening Readings
Answer Gently
Proverbs 12:21-22
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
Proverbs 12:25
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:28
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.
Proverbs 13:12
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 14:5
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
Proverbs 14:10
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
Proverbs 14:13-14
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
Proverbs 14:26-27
26 Those who fear the LORD have a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:34
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.
Proverbs 15:1
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:3
3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Proverbs 15:9
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
Proverbs 15:11
11 Death and Destruction [a] lie open before the LORD—
how much more do human hearts!
Footnotes:
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
Proverbs 15:13
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:17-18
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 The hot-tempered stir up dissension,
but those who are patient calm a quarrel.
Proverbs 15:25-26
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow's boundary stones in place.
26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
Leaves for Plucking
Luke 22:42
42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Luke 21:19
19 Stand firm, and you will win life.
"Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than he went through before;
And he that in God's kingdom comes
Must enter by this door."
