JANUARY 20 - Tangled, But Not Trapped
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:1–5; Psalm 9; Matthew 17
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“If you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger…save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor; go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.” — Proverbs 6:1, 3
“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” — Psalm 9:9
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith.’” — Matthew 17:19–20
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Have you ever made a quick decision that got you in over your head? Maybe you promised to do something you couldn’t handle, or got caught up in a mess because you didn’t think it through. Proverbs 6 warns about making hasty promises—especially ones that could trap us. Psalm 9 reminds us that even in the worst situations, God is our safe place.
And in Matthew 17, Jesus tells His disciples that their struggle came from their lack of faith. But He doesn’t leave them there—He calls them to trust bigger and go deeper.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Watch What You Promise: Proverbs 6 teaches us that being careless with our words can land us in tough spots. Have you ever said “yes” to something too fast and regretted it?
2. God Is a Refuge: Psalm 9 reminds us that no matter how deep we get into trouble—whether it’s from our own choices or not—God is still our refuge. He doesn’t expect us to fix everything alone. When things feel too big, run to Him.
3. Faith That Moves Mountains: In Matthew 17, Jesus tells His disciples that even a little real faith can move mountains. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about trusting Him. When you feel like you’ve failed or fallen short, Jesus is still there, calling you to believe again.
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BOTTOM LINE
Even when we get ourselves tangled up in tough situations, God is always ready to help us out. He gives us wisdom to make better choices, grace when we mess up, and strength to trust Him more.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a stronghold when I feel overwhelmed or stuck. Help me think before I act or speak, and give me wisdom in my choices. Strengthen my faith, even when it feels small, and remind me that You are always near. Teach me to trust You more every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
