God's Word Today: February 2025

Friday, February 28, 2025

Psalm 102:6-8

I am like an owl in the desert,

like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.

I lie awake,

lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.

My enemies taunt me day after day.

They mock and curse me.

I am like an owl in the desert, like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.

Deuteronomy 14:16 "... the little owl, the great owl, the barn owl, ..."

(see verses 11-20, a list of birds that are ceremonially unclean and may not be eaten.)

Job 30:29

Instead, I am considered a brother to jackals

and a companion to owls." (see verses 20-31)

Isaiah 34:11

It (Edom) will be haunted by the desert owl and the screech owl,

the great owl and the raven.

For God will measure that land carefully;

he will measure it for chaos and destruction.

Isaiah 34:13

Thorns will overrun its palaces;

nettles and thistles will grow in its forts.

The ruins will become a haunt for jackals

and a home for owls.

Isaiah 34:15

There the owl will make her nest and lay her eggs.

She will hatch her young and cover them with her wings.

And the buzzards will come,

each one with its mate. (see verses 8-17)

I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.

Psalm 77:4

You don't let me sleep.

I am too distressed even to pray! (see all Psalm 77)

Psalm 38:11

My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.

Even my own family stands at a distance. (see all Psalm 38)

My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me.

2 Kings 2:23 Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. "Go away, baldy!" they chanted. "Go away, baldy!"

(see verses 23-25)

Psalm 44:16

All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.

All we see are our vengeful enemies. (see all Psalm 44)

Jeremiah 42:18 "This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'Just as my anger and fury have been poured out on the people of Jerusalem, so they will be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. You will be an object of damnation, horror, cursing, and mockery. And you will never see your homeland again.' " (see all chapter 42)

Luke 23:11 Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.

(see all chapter 23)

Mark 15:20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. (see all chapter 15)

(parentheses are mine)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Psalm 102:3-5

For my days disappear like smoke,

and my bones burn like red-hot coals.

My heart is sick, withered like grass,

and I have lost my appetite.

Because of my groaning,

I am reduced to skin and bones.

For my days disappear like smoke, and my bones burn like red-hot coals.

Psalm 37:20

But the wicked will die.

The LORD's enemies are like flowers in a field--

they will disappear like smoke. (see all Psalm 37)

James 4:14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.

(see all chapter 4)

Lamentations 1:13

"He has sent fire from heaven that burns in my bones.

He has placed a trap in my path and turned me back.

He has left me devastated,

racked with sickness all day long." (see all chapter 1)

Job 30:30

"My skin has turned dark,

and my bones burn with fever." (see all chapter 30)

My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite.

Psalm 37:2

For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither. (see all Psalm 37)

Psalm 90:5-6

You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.

They are like grass that springs up in the morning.

In the morning it blooms and flourishes,

but by evening it is dry and withered. (see all Psalm 90)

Job 30:20
"They lose their appetite

for even the most delicious food." (see verses 19-22)

Job 6:7

"My appetite disappears when I look at it;

I gag at the thought of eating it!" (see verse 7)

Psalm 107:18

They couldn't stand the thought of food,

and they were knocking on death's door. (see verses 17-22)

Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones.

Job 3:24

"I cannot eat for sighing;

my groans pour out like water." (see all chapter 3)

Lamentations 1:22

"Look at all their evil deeds, LORD.

Punish them,

as you have punished me

for all my sins.

My groans are many,

and I am sick at heart." (see all chapter 1)

(parentheses are mine)

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Psalm 102:1-2

LORD, hear my prayer!

Listen to my plea!

Don't turn away from me

in my time of distress.

Bend down to listen,

and answer me quickly when I call to you.

LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!

Exodus 3:9 "Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them." (see all chapter 3)

Psalm 4:1

Answer when I call to you,

O God who declares me innocent.

Free me from my troubles.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. (see all Psalm 4)

Psalm 5:2

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,

for I pray to no one but you. (see all Psalm 5)

Psalm 18:6

But in my distress I cried out to the LORD;

yes, I prayed to my God for help.

He heard me from his sanctuary;

my cry to him reached his ears. (see all Psalm 18)

Psalm 39:12

Hear my prayer, O LORD!

Listen to my cries for help!

Don't ignore my tears.

For I am your guest--

a traveler passing through,

as my ancestors were before me. (see all Psalm 39)

Don't turn away from me in my time of distress.

Psalm 13:1

O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way? (see all Psalm 13)

Psalm 27:9

Do not turn your back on me.

Do not reject your servant in anger.

You have always been my helper.

Don't leave me now; don't abandon me,

O God of my salvation! (see all Psalm 27)

Psalm 69:17

Don't hide from your servant;

answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble! (see all Psalm 69)

Psalm 143:7

Come quickly, LORD, and answer me,

for my depression deepens.

Don't turn away from me,

or I will die. (see all Psalm 143)

Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you.

2 Kings 19:16 "Bend down, O LORD, and listen! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see! Listen to Sennacherib's words of defiance against the living God." (see all chapter 19)

Psalm 31:2

Turn your ear to listen to me;

rescue me quickly.

Be my rock of protection,

a fortress where I will be safe. (see all Psalm 31)

Psalm 71:2

O LORD, I have come to you for protection;

don't let me be disgraced. (see all Psalm 71)

Psalm 88:2

Now hear my prayer;

listen to my cry. (see all Psalm 88)

(parentheses are mine)

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Psalm 101:6-8 Part 2 of 2

I will search for faithful people

to be my companions.

Only those who are above reproach

will be allowed to serve me.

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,

and liars will not stay in my presence.

My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked

and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

and liars will not stay in my presence.

Psalm 63:11

But the king will rejoice in God.

All who swear to tell the truth will praise him,

while liars will be silenced. (see all Psalm 63)

Proverbs 17:4

Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;

liars pay close attention to slander.

Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler pays attention to liars,

all his advisors will be wicked.

1 John 2:4 If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

(see all chapter 2)

1 John 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? (see all chapter 4)

My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

Psalm 1:1

Oh, the joys of those who do not

follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers. (see all Psalm 1)

Psalm 14:6

The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,

but the LORD will protect his people. (see all Psalm 14)

Psalm 75:10

For God says, "I will break the strength of the wicked,

but I will increase the power of the godly." (see all Psalm 75)

Psalm 146:9

The LORD protects the foreigners among us.

He cares for the orphans and widows,

but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. (see all Psalm 146)

Proverbs 12:5

The plans of the godly are just;

the advice of the wicked is treacherous. (see all chapter 12)

Proverbs 29:7

The godly care about the rights of the poor;

the wicked don't care at all.

Malachi 4:1 The LORD of Heaven's Armies says, "The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed--roots, branches, and all.

(see all chapter 4)

(parentheses are mine)

Monday, February 24, 2025

Psalm 101:6-8 Part 1 of 2

I will search for faithful people

to be my companions.

Only those who are above reproach

will be allowed to serve me.

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,

and liars will not stay in my presence.

My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked

and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.

Psalm 119:1

Joyful are people of integrity,

Who follow the instructions of the LORD. (see verses 1-8)

Matthew 24:45 "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them." (see verses 42-51)

1 Corinthians 4:17 That's why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go. (see all chapter 4)

Philippians 2:17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. (see verses 12-18)

Colossians 4:7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord's work.

Colossians 4:9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that's happening here. (see verses 7-18)

Revelation 2:10 "Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life." (see verses 8-11)

Revelation 17:14 "Together they (the scarlet beast and the 10 kings) will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him." (see all chapter 17)

I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house.

Isaiah 59:13

We know we have rebelled and have denied the LORD.

We have turned our backs on our God.

We know how unfair and oppressive we have been,

carefully planning our deceitful lies. (see all chapter 59)

Acts 13:10 Then he (Paul) said, "You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?" (see verses 4-12)

2 Corinthians 11:13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. (see verses 1-15)

1 Peter 2:1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and unkind speech. (see all chapter 2)

(parentheses are mine)

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Psalm 101:4-5

I will reject perverse ideas

and stay away from every evil.

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.

I will not endure conceit and pride.

I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.

Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things the LORD hates--

no, seven things he detests:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that kill the innocent,

a heart that plots evil,

feet that race to do wrong,

a false witness who pours out lies,

a person who sows discord in a family. (see verses 12-19)

Proverbs 11:20

The LORD detests people with crooked hearts,

but he delights in those with integrity. (see all chapter 11)

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.

Exodus 20:16 "You must not testify falsely against your neighbor."

Mark 10:19 "But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.' " (see verses 17-22, also Matthew 19:16-22, Luke 18:18-24)

Leviticus 19:6 "Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.

Do not stand idly by when your neighbor's life is threatened. I am the LORD." (see all chapter 19, also Psalm 15)

Jeremiah 9:4

"Beware of your neighbor!

Don't even trust your brother!

For brother takes advantage of brother,

and friend slanders friend." (see verses 1-9)

Ezekiel 22:9 "People accuse others falsely and send them to their death. You are filled with idol worshipers and people who do obscene things."

(see verses 1-16)

I will not endure conceit and pride.

Psalm 10:4

The wicked are too proud to seek God.

They seem to think God is dead. (see all Psalm 10)

Psalm 36:1-2

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.

They have no fear of God at all.

In their blind conceit,

they cannot see how wicked they really are. (see all Psalm 36)

(parentheses are mine)

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Psalm 101:2-3 Part 2 of 2

I will be careful to live a blameless life--

when will you come to help me?

I will lead a life of integrity

in my own home.

I will refuse to look at

anything vile and vulgar.

I hate all who deal crookedly;

I will have nothing to do with them.

I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.

Psalm 25:21

May integrity and honesty protect me,

for I put my hope in you. (see all Psalm 25)

Psalm 26:11

But I am not like that; I live with integrity.

So redeem me and show me mercy. (see all Psalm 26)

Psalm 119:1

Joyful are people of integrity,

who follow the instructions of the LORD. (see verses 1-8)

Proverbs 2:7

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. (see all chapter 2)

Proverbs 10:9

People with integrity walk safely,

but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

Hosea 9:10

The LORD says, "O Israel, when I first found you,

it was like finding fresh grapes in the desert.

When I saw your ancestors,

it was like seeing the first ripe figs of the season.

But then they deserted me for Baal-Peor,

giving themselves to that shameful idol.

Soon they became vile,

as vile as the god they worshiped." (see all chapter 9)

I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.

2 Samuel 22:27

"To the pure you show yourself pure,

but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd."

(see verses 26-37, also Psalm 18)

Psalm 125:5

But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.

Take them away with those who do evil.

May Israel have peace! (see all Psalm 125)

Proverbs 21:8

The guilty walk a crooked path;

the innocent travel a straight road.

Isaiah 59:8

They don't know where to find peace

or what it means to be just and good.

They have mapped out crooked roads,

and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace.

(see all chapter 59)

(parentheses are mine)

Friday, February 21, 2025

Psalm 101:2-3 Part 1 of 2

I will be careful to live a blameless life--

when will you come to help me?

I will lead a life of integrity

in my own home.

I will refuse to look at

anything vile and vulgar.

I hate all who deal crookedly;

I will have nothing to do with them.

I will be careful to live a blameless life--when will you come to help me?

Genesis 6:8-9 But Noah found favor with the LORD. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

(see all chapter 6)

Genesis 17:1 When Abraham was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai--'God Almighty.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life." (see all chapter 17)

Deuteronomy 18:13 "But you must be blameless before the LORD your God." (see verses 9-14)

Job 1:1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless--a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. (see all chapter 1)

Psalm 15:1-2

Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?

Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,

speaking the truth from sincere hearts. (see all Psalm 15)

Proverbs 13:5

Godliness guards the path of the blameless,

but the evil are misled by sin.

Philippians 1:10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.

(see verses 3-11)

Colossians 1:22 Yet now he (God) has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. (see all chapter 1)

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. (see all chapter 5)

2 Peter 3:14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. (see all chapter 3)

(parentheses are mine)

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Psalm 101:1

A Psalm of David

I will sing of your love and justice, LORD.

I will praise you with songs.

Psalm 9:8

He will judge the world with justice

and rule the nations with fairness. (see all Psalm 9)

Psalm 36:6

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. (see all Psalm 36)

Psalm 96:13

... before the LORD, for he is coming!

He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with justice,

and the nations with his truth. (see all Psalm 96)

Psalm 99:4

Mighty King, lover of justice,

you have established fairness.

You have acted with justice

and righteousness throughout Israel. (see all Psalm 99)

Proverbs 29:26

Many seek the ruler's favor,

but justice comes from the LORD.

Isaiah 5:16

But the LORD of Heaven's Armies will be exalted by his justice.

The holiness of God will be displayed by his righteousness.

(see all chapter 5)

Isaiah 51:4

"Listen to me, my people.

Hear me, Israel,

for my law will be proclaimed,

and my justice will become a light to the nations." (see all chapter 51)

Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says:

"Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom,

or the powerful boast in their power,

or the rich boast in their riches.

But those who wish to boast

should boast in this alone:

that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD

who demonstrates unfailing love

and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,

and that I delight in these things.

I, the LORD, have spoken!" (see all chapter 9)

Zephaniah 3:5

But the LORD is still there in the city,

and he does no wrong.

Day by day he hands down justice,

and he does not fail.

But the wicked know no shame. (see all chapter 3)

Matthew 12:18

"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.

He is my Beloved, who pleases me.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations." (see verses 15-21)

2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. (see all chapter 1)

Hebrews 1:8

But to the Son he says,

"Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.

You rule with a scepter of justice. (see all chapter 1)

(parentheses are mine)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Psalm 100:5

For the LORD is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

For the LORD is good.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever. (see all chapter 16)

Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the LORD is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (see all Psalm 34)

Psalm 135:3

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;

celebrate his lovely name with music. (see all Psalm 135)

Psalm 145:9

The LORD is good to everyone.

He showers compassion on all his creation. (see all Psalm 145)

Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good,

a strong refuge when trouble comes.

He is close to those who trust in him. (see all chapter 1)

His unfailing love continues forever,

Ezra 3:11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the LORD:

"He is so good!

His faithful love for Israel endures forever!"

Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the LORD because the foundation of the LORD's Temple had been laid. (see all chapter 3)

Jeremiah 33:11 "... The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing,

'Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven's Armies,

for the LORD is good.

His faithful love endures forever!'

For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD." (see all chapter 33)

and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 108:4

For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. (see all Psalm 108)

Psalm 119:90

Your faithfulness extends to every generation,

as enduring as the earth you created. (see verses 89-96)

Exodus 20:6 "But I (the LORD your God) lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."

(see verses 1-21)

1 Chronicles 16:15

Remember his covenant forever--

the commitment he made to a thousand generations. (see verses 14-22)

Psalm 105:8

He always stands by his covenant--

the commitment he made to a thousand generations. (see all Psalm 105)

Deuteronomy 7:9 "Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands." (see verses 7-11)

(parentheses are mine)