Raychel Writes

Wisdom from the Word Day 26

January 26th, 2026

Proverbs 26: Wisdom Isn’t Impressed by Potential

Proverbs 26 is a chapter of similitudes—picture after picture meant to slow us down and make us think. Wisdom here doesn’t come wrapped in soft language. Instead, it shows us patterns of behavior and then draws a straight line to the outcomes of engaging with them.

This chapter is not abstract. It is deeply practical.

Over and over again, Solomon describes the fool, the lazy, and the one who delights in conflict, not to mock them—but to warn us about the cost of proximity.

“Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.” (v.1, NASB)

Wisdom begins with discernment. Proverbs 26 reminds us that character matters more than capability. A person may be talented, persuasive, or confident—but without wisdom, placing them in a position of responsibility causes damage, not progress.

The Fool: Predictable, Not Mysterious

One of the mistakes we make is treating foolish behavior as unpredictable. Proverbs 26 does the opposite—it shows us that foolishness follows patterns.

A fool returns to folly the way a dog returns to what made it sick (v.11). Not because they don’t know better—but because they refuse correction. That refusal doesn’t just affect them; it affects anyone who entrusts them with responsibility, listens to their counsel, or hires them for work.

“Like an archer who wounds everyone,

So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.” (v.10)

This is a sober warning. Hiring or empowering the wrong person doesn’t stay contained. The consequences ripple outward.

The Lazy: Not Harmless, Just Slow Damage

Again, the lazy person makes an appearance—but notice how Scripture treats laziness here. It’s not framed as rest or exhaustion. It’s framed as excuses, delay, and wasted potential.

“The lazy one buries his hand in the dish;

He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.” (v.15)

Laziness isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s subtle—unfinished tasks, half-effort, and constant reasons why today isn’t the day. Proverbs doesn’t present laziness as neutral; it presents it as self-deceiving and costly.

Conflict: Fed, Not Found

One of the most important teachings in Proverbs 26 is about conflict. Scripture makes a clear distinction between necessary confrontation and unnecessary strife.

“For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.” (v.20)

Conflict doesn’t always need to be confronted head-on. Sometimes it needs to be starved. Gossip, stirring words, and subtle jabs are fuel. Remove the fuel, and the fire loses its power.

This chapter reminds us that not every argument deserves our response—and not every voice deserves our attention.

What We Might Miss

Proverbs 26 quietly teaches us that wisdom includes knowing when not to engage. Twice in this chapter we are told to both answer and not answer a fool (vv.4–5). That tension isn’t a contradiction—it’s discernment.

Wisdom asks:

Will my words clarify truth? Or will they entangle me in foolishness?

Knowing the difference requires humility and restraint.

Closing Reflection

Proverbs 26 presses us to evaluate not just our actions, but our associations, our responses, and our patterns. Wisdom is not proven by what we know—it is revealed by how we act, who we trust, and when we choose silence over reaction.

This chapter calls us to live attentively, interact discerningly, and remember that character—not charisma—shapes outcomes.
Wisdom from the Word Day 25

January 25th, 2026

Proverbs 25: Wisdom That Knows When to Speak — and When to Be Still

Proverbs 25 opens with an interesting note — these are sayings of Solomon that were copied and preserved later. That alone tells us something important: wisdom is worth guarding, revisiting, and handing down carefully. Truth doesn’t expire just because generations change.

One of the most quoted ideas in this chapter is the balance between God’s glory and human humility:

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings to search out a matter.” (v.2)

God is not obligated to reveal everything to us. Some things are hidden because we are finite, because we are not ready, or because trust is formed in the waiting. Our role is not to demand answers, but to pursue wisdom with reverence and restraint. There is a difference between seeking understanding and insisting on control.

This chapter also spends a surprising amount of time on speech — not just what we say, but when and how we say it.

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver

Is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (v.11)

Truth matters. But timing matters too. A true word spoken carelessly can wound instead of heal. Wisdom isn’t just knowing what’s right — it’s knowing when silence is more loving than correction, and when courage requires us to speak.

Proverbs 25 also offers repeated warnings about pride and self-promotion:

“Do not claim honor in the presence of the king…

For it is better that it be said to you, ‘Come up here.’” (v.6–7)

There is something deeply countercultural about letting God — not ourselves — do the elevating. We live in a world that rewards visibility, self-assertion, and constant opinion-sharing. Scripture reminds us that humility is not weakness; it is wisdom that trusts God with outcomes.

The chapter continues by addressing conflict — not avoiding it, but handling it rightly.

“Argue your case with your neighbor,

And do not reveal the secret of another.” (v.9)

Wisdom doesn’t gossip. It doesn’t recruit an audience. It goes directly, honestly, and carefully to the person involved. There is restraint here — a refusal to turn conflict into public spectacle.

And finally, Proverbs 25 gives us one of the clearest pictures of self-control:

“Like a city that is broken into and without walls

Is a man who has no control over his spirit.” (v.28)

Without restraint — in our words, our emotions, our reactions — we leave ourselves exposed. Wisdom builds walls not to shut others out, but to protect what matters most.

Proverbs 25 reminds us that maturity often looks quieter than we expect. It sounds like thoughtful words. It looks like humility. It chooses patience over pressure and restraint over reaction. And it trusts that God sees what doesn’t need to be announced.
Wisdom from the Word Day 24

January 24th, 2026

Proverbs 24: Warnings Worth Heeding

Proverbs 24 reads like a careful collection of precepts and warnings—less poetic, more practical. It doesn’t rush. It stacks truth upon truth, almost as if wisdom knows how easily we overlook the small decisions that quietly shape our lives.

This chapter opens by cautioning us about envy—specifically envy toward evil people who seem to prosper. That warning feels especially relevant. It’s tempting to admire outcomes without considering the cost. But Proverbs reminds us that what appears successful on the surface is often built on unstable ground.

Wisdom, we’re told, builds a house—not just a physical one, but a life. Understanding establishes it. Knowledge fills it. In other words, righteous living isn’t accidental. It’s constructed intentionally, one decision at a time, with God’s truth as the foundation.

Proverbs 24 also speaks directly to perseverance. The righteous fall—and sometimes they fall repeatedly—but they are not defined by the fall. They rise again. That truth matters. Scripture doesn’t present godliness as flawlessness; it presents it as faithfulness. I carry bruises and scars from falling and getting back up, but by God’s grace, I’m still stepping forward in obedience each day.

There’s a sobering warning here against passivity as well. Seeing injustice or need and choosing to look away is not neutral. Wisdom calls us to act—not impulsively, not arrogantly—but responsibly. We’re reminded that God weighs the heart, and He sees not only what we do, but what we excuse ourselves from doing.

This chapter ends with strong reminders about fairness, restraint, and resisting retaliation. We’re warned against repaying evil with evil and against plotting harm, even when wronged. That kind of self-control doesn’t come naturally—it comes from trusting the Lord as the ultimate judge.

Proverbs 24 doesn’t shout. It instructs. It warns us lovingly, like a parent who knows the dangers ahead and speaks plainly because the stakes are high. These precepts are not meant to burden us, but to steady us—to help us build lives that endure storms rather than collapse under them.

And once again, I’m reminded that wisdom isn’t just knowing what’s right—it’s choosing it, especially when no one is watching.
Wisdom from the Word Day 23

January 23rd, 2026

Proverbs 23: Learning to See Clearly

Proverbs 23 feels like the closing chapter on life and conduct, and if I’m honest, some of it is not immediately clear. The metaphors are layered. The warnings are strong. And at times, I find myself rereading verses thinking, I know this matters… but I need help understanding what I’m really being shown.

And maybe that’s part of the point.

This chapter is deeply concerned with desire—what we hunger for, what we pursue, and what quietly shapes us over time. It warns us about chasing appearances, trusting fleeting riches, and disciplining ourselves according to what looks good rather than what is good.

“Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
cease from your consideration of it.” (v.4)

That’s a hard word in a culture that praises hustle and accumulation. Proverbs 23 reminds us that wealth is unstable—it can disappear as quickly as it appears. So if our hearts are anchored there, we’ll always feel unsettled.

There’s also repeated instruction about restraint—at the table, in speech, in discipline, and in relationships. These aren’t random warnings. They’re reminders that self-control is not about deprivation, but about protection. God is guarding us from appetites that promise satisfaction but quietly hollow us out.

One of the clearest threads in this chapter is the call to guard the heart:

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (v.7)

What we dwell on shapes who we become. That truth shows up all throughout Scripture, and when Proverbs feels vague, I find it helpful to let Scripture interpret Scripture—to remember Jesus’ words about treasure and the heart, or Paul’s reminders to fix our minds on what is true and lasting.

Proverbs 23 also speaks tenderly about discipline and parenting—not as harsh control, but as loving guidance rooted in hope. Correction is not meant to crush a child’s spirit, but to steer them toward life. That reminder always humbles me, because it reflects how patiently the Lord deals with us.

This chapter doesn’t rush to explain itself. It requires reflection. And I’m learning that when something feels unclear in Scripture, it’s often an invitation to slow down, to write through it, to pray through it, and to let the Lord gently sharpen our vision.

Proverbs 23 teaches us that wisdom isn’t just about knowing what’s right—it’s about learning to see clearly, even when our hearts are easily distracted. And thankfully, God is faithful to give understanding to those who are willing to seek it.
Wisdom from the Word Day 22

January 22nd, 2026

Proverbs 22: Listening to What Truly Lasts

Proverbs 22 feels like a gentle turning of the page. Partway through the chapter, the tone shifts—from sharp contrasts to an almost tender, imploring conversation. It’s wisdom slowing down long enough to make sure we’re actually listening.

This chapter continues to press on right conduct, but not in a way that feels performative or prideful. Instead, it reminds us—again—that what the world values most is not what lasts.

“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,

favor is better than silver and gold.” (v.1)

That verse alone reframes so much. Reputation, character, faithfulness—these are not secondary to success; they are the measure of it. Proverbs keeps returning to this truth, and honestly, I’m grateful for the repetition. When something is repeated, it’s usually because we’re prone to forget it.

Once again, we’re reminded that rich and poor stand on equal ground before the Lord. Not equal in circumstance, but equal in worth. God is not impressed by status, income, or influence. He sees hearts. And He pays close attention to how we treat those who cannot repay us.

There’s a steady warning here against exploiting the poor, against using power—whether financial, social, or relational—for personal gain. Wisdom tells us plainly: how we treat the vulnerable reveals what we truly believe about God.

As the chapter unfolds, the instruction becomes more intimate. It’s no longer just what to do, but how to live—where to place our trust, how to guard our hearts, and why discipline and humility matter so deeply. This isn’t cold instruction; it’s loving guidance meant to protect us.

Proverbs 22 reminds us that obedience is not about earning favor, but about walking in wisdom that leads to life. Over and over, the message is the same: righteousness outlasts riches, humility outshines pride, and a life anchored in the fear of the Lord will never be wasted.

And maybe that’s why the repetition matters so much. Because truth doesn’t change—but we need to hear it again and again until it finally sticks.
Wisdom from the Word Day 21

January 21st, 2026

Proverbs 21: Conditional Living Under a Sovereign God

Proverbs 21 continues to remind us that how we live matters. This chapter speaks plainly about lazy living—not just the absence of work, but the habit of intention without obedience. Wanting good things, planning good things, or even talking about good things is not the same as walking in righteousness. Desire without diligence leaves us empty-handed.

Some of the language in this chapter can feel confusing unless it’s explained. Proverbs often teaches through pictures, and those pictures require us to slow down. When it speaks of a gift given in secret or something hidden “in the bosom,” it is addressing motives, not intimacy. A quiet gift offered humbly can calm anger and restore peace, while a concealed bribe manipulates outcomes and deepens injustice. What is hidden still matters to God.

This chapter also addresses the home and the damage caused by ongoing strife. The repeated warnings about a quarrelsome spouse are not attacks on women, nor are they meant to single out one sex. They are reminders that unchecked speech and constant contention erode peace inside the place meant to be a refuge. Wisdom always begins in the heart, but it reveals itself in the home.

Then we are given the image of preparation for battle—the horse trained, equipped, and ready. Preparation is good. Diligence is required. But preparation is never sovereign.

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but victory belongs to the Lord.” (v.31)

That verse anchors the entire chapter. We are responsible for obedience, wisdom, and effort—but outcomes belong to God. Proverbs 21 reminds us that we do not live however we want and then ask the Lord to bless it afterward. We live conditionally, under His authority, trusting that He alone directs the end.
Wisdom from the Word Day 20

January 20th, 2026

Day 20

Proverbs 20: Wanting to Be Counted Among the Upright

There are chapters in Proverbs that feel heavy when you read them. Necessary, yes. True, absolutely. But weighty. They read like warnings posted on a fence: Don’t go this way. Don’t live like this. Don’t become this person.

Proverbs 20 feels different.

It’s still serious. Still sobering. But it reads less like a list of negative commands and more like an invitation. An invitation to maturity. To integrity. To steadiness. To a life that quietly makes sense.

I think that’s why it feels encouraging instead of crushing.

This chapter doesn’t just tell us who not to be. It paints a picture of who we ought to want to become.

Right out of the gate, we’re reminded that self-control matters:

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” (v.1, NASB)

This isn’t just about alcohol. It’s about anything we allow to dull our judgment or take the edge off responsibility. Proverbs keeps coming back to this truth: wisdom requires clarity. Upright living demands that we stay awake to our own choices.

And then comes one of those quiet but piercing reminders:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (v.21, NASB)

There’s nothing flashy here. No shortcuts. Just steady diligence. Faithfulness over time. This is the kind of wisdom that doesn’t trend well online but builds lives that last.

What struck me most in this chapter is how often the heart comes into view.

“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.” (v.5, NASB)

Uprightness isn’t just about behavior modification. It’s about depth. About learning to examine our own hearts honestly and allowing wise, godly people to speak into our blind spots. That takes humility. And humility, Scripture tells us again and again, is never weakness.

There’s also a beautiful emphasis on integrity that feels deeply practical:

“Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the Lord.” (v.10, NASB)

God cares about fairness in ordinary life. In business. In speech. In how we treat people when no one is watching. Righteousness isn’t reserved for big spiritual moments. It’s lived out in everyday consistency.

And then there’s this gentle, almost parental reminder that stopped me in my tracks:

“It is the glory of a man to overlook an offense,
But every fool is quick to quarrel.” (v.3, NASB)

That one stings a little, doesn’t it? Because overlooking offense feels costly. It requires maturity, restraint, and a refusal to let pride run the show. But Scripture calls it glory. There is dignity in not needing to win every argument.

Toward the end of the chapter, we’re anchored again in the truth that keeps us from self-righteousness:

“Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord,
How then can man understand his way?” (v.24, NASB)

Even in our pursuit of uprightness, we remain dependent. We walk forward in obedience, but never with the illusion that we are self-made or self-sustaining. Wisdom keeps us humble. Righteousness keeps us close to the Lord.

Proverbs 20 makes me want to be associated with the upright not out of fear, but out of desire. It reminds me that godliness is not about perfection, but about direction. About choosing honesty over ease, patience over impulse, humility over pride.

It’s serious. But it’s also hopeful.

And maybe that’s the gift of this chapter: it shows us that a life ordered by wisdom isn’t small or restrictive. It’s steady. It’s grounded. It’s deeply good.

And honestly, that’s the kind of life I want to be counted among.
Wisdom from the Word Day 19

January 19th, 2026

Proverbs 19: What Truly Makes a Life Rich

Proverbs 19 slows us down again and asks a deeper question: What kind of life are you actually building?

Not what you have.

Not what you say you believe.

But what your daily choices are shaping.

This chapter keeps circling back to conduct—how we live, how we speak, and how we treat the people placed in our path. Scripture reminds us that wisdom is not abstract; it shows itself in ordinary faithfulness.

Early on, Proverbs says it plainly:

“Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

Than one who is perverse in speech and is a fool.” (v.1, NASB)

God is not impressed by appearances. Integrity outweighs advantage. Character matters more than comfort. The world may chase status, but God measures the heart.

We’re also given a sobering look at wealth and relationships:

“Wealth adds many friends,

But a poor person is separated from his friend.” (v.4)

This isn’t approval—it’s observation. Proverbs often names reality as it is, not as it should be. Money has a way of drawing people near, while poverty can isolate. That should sober us. It should soften us. As believers, we are called to see people, not their usefulness.

That’s why Scripture ties our treatment of the poor directly to our treatment of God:

“One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the Lord,

And He will repay him for his good deed.” (v.17)

Kindness is never wasted. Mercy is never overlooked. God Himself receives it as a loan—and He always repays faithfully.

Chapter 19 also continues to warn us about speech—not just lies, but careless words:

“Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise.” (v.28)

Wisdom often looks like restraint. Listening more than speaking. Pausing before reacting. Letting truth govern our tongue instead of emotion.

And tucked among these warnings is a quiet promise about true wealth:

“The fear of the Lord leads to life,

So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” (v.23)

This is the kind of richness Proverbs holds up—peace that lets you rest, contentment that isn’t stolen by circumstance, security that doesn’t depend on what’s in your hands.

Proverbs 19 reminds us that godliness is lived out in small, faithful choices: honesty over advantage, kindness over indifference, restraint over noise, and reverence over self-reliance.

And in the end, it gently assures us that a life ordered by the fear of the Lord may not look impressive to the world—but it will be deeply, eternally rich.
Wisdom from the Word Day 18

January 18th, 2026

Proverbs 18: Words, Wisdom, and Where We Run

Proverbs 18 feels like a fitting close to this long stretch of contrast between the righteous and the wicked. If the previous chapters laid the foundation, this one presses the truth into our everyday lives—especially into our words, our relationships, and where we go when life gets heavy.

This chapter reminds us that wisdom is not loud. It doesn’t demand the room. It doesn’t rush to speak.

“A fool does not delight in understanding,

But only in revealing his own mind.” (v.2)

That verse hits close to home. There’s something in all of us that wants to be heard, to be right, to explain ourselves. But Scripture reminds us that maturity looks like restraint. Wisdom listens. Wisdom weighs. Wisdom knows when silence is more loving than speech.

Over and over, Proverbs 18 brings us back to the power of words:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (v.21)

Words build homes—or burn them down. They shape marriages, friendships, and the hearts of our children. We don’t speak in a vacuum. Our words either reflect the character of Christ or expose where we still need His refining.

And yet, this chapter doesn’t leave us discouraged. It gives us hope by pointing us to where our confidence truly belongs:

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe.” (v.10)

Not our cleverness. Not our explanations. Not our ability to defend ourselves. The righteous don’t stand their ground—they run to the Lord. They know where safety is found.

As we close this section of Proverbs, I’m reminded that righteousness isn’t about perfection. It’s about posture. A heart that seeks understanding. A mouth that chooses life. A spirit that runs to God instead of away from Him.

May we be women who speak with care, listen with humility, and teach our children—by example—that the safest place in the world is under the name of the Lord.
Wisdom from the Word Day 17

January 17th, 2026

Proverbs 17 — What Our Words Reveal About Our Hearts

Proverbs 17 continues the familiar rhythm we’ve been walking through—righteous and wicked, wise and foolish. It can feel repetitive if we read it quickly, but I don’t think repetition here is accidental. I think it’s mercy.

This chapter presses on something deeply practical: our speech. Not just what we say when we’re calm or intentional, but what comes out when we’re tired, irritated, or caught off guard. Scripture reminds us again that words are never neutral. They reveal what lives beneath the surface.

“A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are the snare of his soul.” (v.7, NASB)

That’s sobering—especially for those of us who talk for a living, teach, lead, parent, or encourage. I know how quickly my own mouth can run ahead of my heart when I’m weary. Proverbs gently but firmly reminds us that wisdom shows up in restraint.

But this chapter doesn’t stop at speech. It moves into relationships—inside the home and beyond it.

“A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.” (v.17)

This verse isn’t romantic or sentimental. It’s honest. Love is proven in consistency, and family—both blood and spiritual—shows its true depth in hardship. Proverbs 17 acknowledges that relationships are forged and revealed under pressure.

There’s also a quiet warning woven through the chapter about disorder in the home—children who bring grief, parents who lack discernment, and households shaped more by conflict than peace. That’s not condemnation; it’s a reminder that wisdom begins at home. How we speak to one another, correct one another, and bear with one another matters deeply to God.

“The one who restrains his words has knowledge,

and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” (v.27)

This verse gets me every time. Wisdom isn’t loud. It doesn’t rush to prove a point. It doesn’t need the last word. And as a mother—and honestly, as a woman who feels deeply—that kind of restraint doesn’t come naturally. It’s learned. Slowly. Through humility. Through repentance. Through the Spirit’s work.

Proverbs 17 reminds us that character is not built in grand gestures but in everyday faithfulness—how we speak, how we listen, how we live with the people closest to us. Our words tell a story long before our actions do.

And the beautiful thing is this: God doesn’t expose these truths to shame us. He repeats them so we’ll remember. So they’ll settle in. So we’ll be shaped by them.