DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
READ: Proverbs 16: (Focus vs.20-25)
MEMORY VERSE
“There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end, it leads to death.” Proverbs 16:25*
BACKGROUND
A loud thump came from a window in the classroom where I was teaching and startled the students. Then another thump! A bird had flown headlong into the glass and bounced off, only to make another run for yet another crash.
Later, I read that more than a billion birds die each year from hitting windows in the United States alone. Collisions happen when they catch reflections of vegetation in the window and go after them, convinced they see food or nesting material.
Sometimes they also catch their own reflection and think another bird needs to be fended off. They’re sure they see clearly, but they’re confused.
It’s dangerous to think that we always see what’s true—that we possess internal clarity about our lives.
However, we suffer from a deadly confusion and repeatedly demonstrate that even our best wisdom—left to itself—eventually yields misery. “There is a way that appears to be right,” Proverbs says, “but in the end it leads to death” (16:25).
We think we see what’s real, but too often we’re confused. Even our keenest insight is riddled with misperceptions. Even our clearest vision is still cloudy, imperfect, and often ruinous.
That’s why we need God’s wisdom (vv. 20-21). We need Him to illuminate the truth and guide us into what’s real. We need Him to lead us out of our deadly confusion and into wholeness and life.
Winn Collier
INSIGHT
Proverbs 16 emphasizes our dependence on God in all things (vv. 1-3, 10, 11, 33). In verses 20-25, the focus narrows to hearing and speaking words wisely. The two are closely related.
Verse 20 spells it out: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” That is, a person who’s living in humble, trusting reliance on God is also someone who’s able to listen to wise instruction from others.
Their reliance on God’s wisdom to illuminate truth equips them to be “discerning” and to speak “gracious words” that “promote instruction” (v. 21). Those who humbly learn from Him and others (can) speak words that flow from His wisdom (v. 23) and bring healing (v. 24).
APPLICATION
When has false perception led you into confusion? How does God’s wisdom offer a better way?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s
Post)
“We think we see what’s real, but too often we’re confused. Even our keenest insight is riddled with misperceptions. Even our clearest vision is still cloudy, imperfect, and often ruinous. That’s why we need God’s wisdom. We need Him to illuminate the truth and guide us into what’s real.
PR’s TAKE
In a world where reality is no more real, we need, more than ever, to look at everything from God’s reality. Pr
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
PRAYER
“Dear God, I need Your wisdom. Please show me the way out of confusion and into life.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GUIDE ME O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH”
Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
Hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore,
Feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Ever be my strength and shield,
Ever be my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
