Published: 02/01/2025
The Book of Proverbs was written to give “prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young” (NIV, Proverbs 1:4), and to “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (NIV, Proverbs 1:5).
Proverbs consists of 31 chapters of advice and wise sayings that can be directly applied to our own daily lives. Given that no month of the currently used Julian calendar has more than 31 days, this makes it easy to build a reading program that consists of one chapter of reading each day.
The Proverbs “challenge” consists of reading one chapter from the Book of Proverbs each day, specifically, reading the chapter with the number that matches today’s date: on the first, read Proverbs chapter one, on the second, read Proverbs chapter two, etc. The chapters in the Book of Proverbs can easily be read out of order; so, if you miss a day of reading, simply read the chapter with the number matching the current date and you can catch up on the missed chapter on the appropriate date in a future month. The goal here is not just to read Proverbs in its entirety, but to work on applying the lessons found within Proverbs to our daily lives.
Once you have added this reading to your daily routine, as each month passes and you begin to reread chapters, pay attention to how your life has changed as you apply these divinely inspired lessons to your own life. Also, pay attention to those areas where you can further improve yourself. It will require devotion and work, but the results will include a better life and a better relationship with God.
May God bring each of you peace and make your hearts and minds receptive to His teachings.