Proverbs 12:5-6

The thoughts and purposes of the (consistently) righteous are just (honest, reliable), but the counsel and schemes of the wicked are deceitful. The (malevolent) words of the wicked lie in wait for (innocent) blood (to slander), but the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them. 

We are protected and remain righteous when we are honest and not deceitful. The wicked are not that way. They cannot be relied upon to speak the truth and will bring about the downfall of those who are innocent with lies if they trust them. Our words matter! When we say the words of God and remain under His protection, we will not be overcome by the wicked. 

Psalm 72:12-14

For he will rescue the needy when he cries for help, the afflicted and abused also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and he will save the lives of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression, fraud, and violence, and their blood will be precious in His sight. 

When we cry out to the Lord, He will hear and answer. Our God hears the cry of the needy. He has compassion for the poor and the mistreated and saves their lives. He does not forget the poor or the mistreatment of the needy. God will redeem their lives from repression regardless of financial position.  

Psalm 71:7-9

I am as a wonder to many, for You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long. Do not cast me off nor send me away in the time of old age; do not abandon me when my strength fails and I am weak.

When we trust in the Lord, fear has no place in our lives. When we praise the Lord, we bring God onto the scene to protect us and keep us safe. It doesn’t matter whether we are young or old or whether we are weak or strong; we all need God in our lives. We cannot overcome the world without the help of God and faith in the Word and Jesus. 

Psalm 69:29-30

But I am sorrowful and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me (securely) on high. I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Even in times of sorrow and pain, praise to the Lord brings salvation and comfort. We open the communication and cry out to God, and He hears our prayer. We are never alone. Our voices connect us to the heavens and call God down to rescue us from our troubles. 

1 Peter 4:7

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer (staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.)

We are to have a sound mind and be self-controlled for prayer. Our foundation in the Word is to be like a garden watered, weeded, and maintained. Without our persistence in faith, we won’t be able to pray accurately and believe for answers. 

1 Peter 3:7

In the same way, you husbands live with your wives in an understanding way (with great gentleness and tact, and with intelligent regard for the marriage relationship), as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective. 

The marriage relationship is vital to God. Men play a significant leadership role in marriage and the family. How they treat their wife sets the tone for the relationship. Wives will respond to their husbands according to the investment they have made in them and their families. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now there remain: faith (abiding trust in God and His promises), hope (confident expectation of eternal salvation) love (unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me), these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Faith, hope, and love are essential for our Christian faith. We must trust (faith) God and be confident (hope) that He will do what He says. We must love without prejudice and according to the example of Love that God has shown toward us. God loves us even when we come short of His expectations, and He wants us to follow His example. 

1 Corinthians 13:7

Love bears all things (regardless of what comes), believes all things (looking for the best in each one), hopes all things (remaining steadfast during difficult times), endures all things (without weakening).

We choose our attitude minute by minute and day by day. When we choose Love instead of anger, a test will come our way. If we remain determined to stay in love, a barrier is established. The wave may come, but love blocks any flow of distress reaching our hearts. With love as our guide, we can endure all things and keep our peace. 

1 Corinthians 13:5

It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not provoked (nor overly sensitive and easily angered); it does not take into account a wrong endured.

With Love, we have learned how to operate in the peace and protection taught by God in the Bible. A person who has love firmly established in their hearts understands that everyone is flawed. We are all working through our imperfections and will not let the actions of others disturb our peace. 

1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.

If we are struggling to receive healing, financial help, or have our prayers answered, and we know we are in faith, then we need to examine our love walk. Love is key. We need to check our hearts for any unforgiveness, anger, or resentment that will block God from working on our behalf. Jesus gave all in love for our sins, and He expects us to forgive others in the same manner.