30 Days in ProverbsSample

In Proverbs 27, we discover wisdom about friendship, the heart, and compassionate living. These verses aren’t just practical—they’re offering guidance for the way we relate to God, others, and even ourselves.

Early on, we read about the value of genuine friendship: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love” and “Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (ESV). Let’s unpack that a bit.

First, “better is open rebuke than hidden love.” Imagine seeing someone running toward a cliff—you wouldn’t just feel sympathy in your heart; you’d shout a warning, you’d act to protect them. True love isn’t passive. When we care for someone, sometimes that means speaking words that sting, pointing out destructive choices, or lovingly holding a mirror to their life.

Can we really call it love if we say nothing while someone we care about heads toward harm? Jesus modeled this perfectly. He loves unconditionally, yet He always points out sin and folly—not to condemn, but to redeem. And we, too, are called to love with courage and honesty.

When a friend lovingly corrects us, we can trust their intentions are good. That trust is a treasure. Proverbs 27 frames this idea beautifully as a precursor to verse 17: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (ESV). In healthy, edifying relationships, both people are sharpened—encouraged, corrected, and strengthened—through both the challenges and the joys they face together.

Verse 23 shifts our focus slightly to stewardship: “Know well the condition of your flocks" (ESV). Here, Solomon calls us to be attentive to what we’ve been entrusted with—our family, our work, our relationships, even our finances. Are we simply glancing, or are we truly observing, caring, and managing what God has placed in our hands?

This verse convicts me often. Am I fully present with my family on a Saturday afternoon, or lost in my phone? Am I nurturing relationships that matter most, or letting them slip while I chase lesser priorities? And above all, how is my relationship with God? That’s the heartbeat that sets the rhythm for everything else.

Today, I encourage you to take inventory of your “herd.” Not just your tangible blessings, but your relationships, your time, your heart. Are they strong? Are they thriving, or could they use some intentional care? Proverbs 27 reminds us that love, attention, and stewardship aren’t optional—they’re essential for a life marked by wisdom, grace, and meaningful connection.