Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

The final chapters of Proverbs, written by Agur and King Lemuel, return to two core themes: humility and wisdom in action.

Agur emphasizes that true wisdom begins with recognizing God's infinite understanding. King Lemuel, echoing his mother’s wisdom, reminds us that righteous leadership requires judgment, service, and care for others.

While Proverbs 31:10-31 celebrates the noble woman, my heart was drawn again to verses 8–9:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

This is a call to compassionate action. Not political grandstanding. Not performative virtue. This is the everyday, selfless love Jesus commands in Matthew 22:39—“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Who is your neighbor? According to Jesus, anyone near you with a need you can help meet (see Luke 10:25-37).

Do you know your neighbors?

The child in foster care.
The teen mom.
The immigrant family.
The homeless man.
The child in poverty.
The widow.
The single parent.
The incarcerated.

Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you. Get close enough to see. As Michelle Warren says, “Proximity changes our perspective, compels our response, and keeps us committed to the journey of pursuing justice.”

Who needs your voice or influence? Where can you lean in with compassion, curiosity, and courage?

Prayer: Father, give me the wisdom to see clearly, the conviction to lean in, the courage to speak up, and the will to act. Thank You for seeing me in my need and advocating for me. Amen.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.