Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Commentary

One of the marks of America is it's individualism. We talk about a "personal Savior" or "my calling". Yet the Bible was written to communities about communities. It was meant to be lived and expressed as a people, not a person. According to Scripture, each individual has something vital for the whole community. It is one of oldest schemes of our spiritual enemy, Satan, to isolate people. He knows that isolation will cut us off from the wisdom that multiple perspectives bring. Even in professional athletics, where athletes should know the game, the role of coaches are vital. We may remember major Christian leaders who have fallen publicly. When we learned more we found that they were essentially doing things alone. We all need a community around us that help us to see the blind spots that we won't see on our own. This is what makes victory sure.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 122:6-7 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Commentary

Many scholars would say that this psalm was written to be sung as pilgrims would come into the temple in Jerusalem. It was a way to prepare the hearts of those who were coming to offer sacrifices to God. For those who are followers of Christ, we recognize that the sacrifice has been made once for all. We are free from the need to bring an animal to be slaughtered in our place for our sins. But when we come into the living temple of God's people, the church, do we pray for it's peace? Do we ask God to use our gatherings to be a citadel of security for the broken, the hurting, the pilgrim? This passage is rightly used to continue to pray for Jerusalem, but there is a "Jerusalem" that we should be a part of - a local church. Pray for your church today, and if you don't attend a community, may this Psalm become your guide as you start your pilgrimage to find one.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC