Today's Verse: Habakkuk 2:9

Friday, February 9, 2024

"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin!"
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...


Our verses are chosen this year based on their alignment with the date. So, 2/9 means we found a verse reference that is February 9 - thus Habakkuk 2:9. This challenges us to do more than "cherry pick" our favorite verses and seek to hear all of God's words about holiness and Christ-likeness.

In our "dog eat dog" world, in our race to get to the top and leave all our rivals in the dust behind us or at the bottom of the bin of failure, God tells us both "Whoa!" and "Woe!" He tells us to stop ("Whoa!") and realize that Kingdom values are different from worldly values - that there is no success without service in godliness. He also warns us ("Woe!") that he will bring us to ruin if we ignore his values by placing ourselves above the well-being of others or pursuing our success at the cost of our ethics.

My Prayer...

Gracious, almighty, and righteous God, please strengthen me so that I can resist the temptation to exploit, cheat, and lie to get ahead. Dear Father, I truly want to be a person of integrity, character, and blessing. Please help me see any duplicity in my heart. I want to treat others as you have so graciously treated me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Habakkuk 2:9 — "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, February 9, 2024

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire "Why is it thus with me?" I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but....."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at..."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"None of [the people arguing with Stephen] could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who had..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.