Daily Devotion

Monday, February 16, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Proverbs 30:1–4, 24–33

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle.
Thus says the man: I am weary, O God,
am weary, O God. How can I prevail?
Surely I am too stupid to be human;
I do not have human understanding.
I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the holy ones.
Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is the person’s name?
And what is the name of the person’s child?
Surely you know!
Four things on earth are small,
yet they are exceedingly wise:
the ants are a people without strength,
yet they provide their food in the summer;
the badgers are a people without power,
yet they make their homes in the rocks;
the locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in rank;
the lizard can be grasped in the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces. Three things are stately in their stride;
four are stately in their gait:
the lion, which is mightiest among wild animals
and does not turn back before any;
the strutting rooster, the he-goat,
and a king striding before his people. If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.
For as pressing milk produces curds,
and pressing the nose produces blood,
so pressing anger produces strife. (NRSV)

Who have been the wisest voices in your life? Those you’ve listened to for guidance and sage advice. The voices who offer astute insights? 

In today’s passage, Agur (perhaps), a teacher who only appears in Proverbs, delivers a collection of insights as well as a humble prayer to God to give him personal integrity, but neither poverty nor riches. Each of the lists he presents pertains to what he’s learned in life. Fascinatingly, they each contain four examples, including the roster of four small animals he considers exceedingly wise in their skill to cope and survive despite severe limitations that endanger them. 

Agur’s lists underscore what I enjoy most about Proverbs. It supplies nuggets of truth that apply to so many everyday situations that we often overlook. It offers terse instructions for living an effective life. Wise advice, indeed.

Agur’s counsel underlines what I increasingly pray for in these difficult-to-comprehend times: that God takes care of the houses where we have gleaned wisdom, whether they’re where we live, where we worship, or where our leaders reside. Specifically, I find myself recalling the lyrics to a Leonard Bernstein song (from his musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) that John Adams’ wife, Abigail Adams, sings. They are, and sung here: 

Take care of this house. Keep it from harm.
If bandits break in, sound the alarm.
Care for this house. Shine it by hand.
And keep it so clean, the glow can be seen
All over the land.
Be careful at night. Check all the doors.
If someone makes off with a dream,
The dream will be yours.
Take care of this house, be always on call.
For this house is the hope of us all.

Prayer

Our heavenly father, continue to remind us of the importance of listening to and learning from wise sages such as Agur so we might apply the knowledge of those who have gone before us and those who guide us today to build a strong foundation in our relationships with others and with you. Amen.   

Written by Tim Schellhardt, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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