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A Proverb A Day Keeps The Foolishness Away #31

We come now today to our final chapter in Proverbs: Chapter 31:

 10 An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.

Many of us are familiar with this chapter, which many women dread as a description of the perfect woman and wife, which they can never live up to. But there are others with responsibilities here, such as the place of a husband to elevate his wife to honor. He trusts in her; he sets an example for her for leadership and service.  Her children also are called upon to encourage her.  Wisdom does not happen in a vacuum. There is an atmosphere in which it thrives for which we all are responsible. Our wisdom grows as we all humbly seek God and serve Him and one another. Then we all benefit from the blessings of wisdom.

Questions: Do I do all I can to make those around me look good? Do I encourage my family, co-workers and fellow believers to greatness? Do they aspire for more because I am in their lives? How can I add to their wisdom today?

(SPECIAL NOTE: Look later today for special instructions for upcoming devotionals. )

A Proverb A Day... #30

Proverbs 30:

The man declares, I am weary, O God;
    I am weary, O God, and worn out.
2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
    I have not the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

In the words preceding these, we are told that this chapter was not authored by Solomon, but by Agur son of Jakeh. At first read, it may sound as if he has a self-image problem and is putting himself down, but as we read down through the chapter he does, in fact, have enough wisdom to say that he needs help when it comes to dealing with deception or the pursuit of wealth. He knows that he must be even more firmly grounded in truth so he can spot a lie, and he needs to avoid riches lest he no longer depend on God.  As we go further, we find he really does have a lot of wisdom, but most of all, he humbly admits he has a lot more to learn.  So, his opening statement is hyperbole and humility, not the lack of a healthy self-image.

Questions: What am I willing to admit I am ignorant about?  Am I willing to ask God and others help with that? Do I see myself as incapable of failing morally, beyond falling for a lie, or could never become in some way arrogant?

A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #29

Proverbs 29: 20 

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Can there be someone more foolish than a fool? Yes. We can do all the right things, seeming to act with wisdom and character, and then blow it all by saying something totally stupid.  We have talked about  anger before, two verses later, it goes further: 

22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,

    and one given to anger causes much transgression.

There is a deeper, bigger issue here: self-control.  Often the first sign of a lack of self-control is with our speech.  This chapter is full of other ways self-control is evidenced: falling into immorality, showing injustice for personal gain, turning to violence, rebellion against rules - almost every aspect of life, but it often is first seen in being unable to control our speech. As James says, and as Jesus says: there is nothing worse than a mouth that is out of control: too many words, too quickly spoken, with no purifying filter.

Questions: Do people observe me to be reactionary - even out of control? Do I "explode" with my speech, or even physically? How is my lack of self-control hurting others?

A Proverb A Day... #28

As we near the end of the book of Proverbs, it becomes obvious that Solomon is indeed sharing his wisdom with his son, as we see in Proverbs 28: 

14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Power has a tendency to harden the human heart. We have seen that in leaders throughout history and still today - not only in government, but in the marketplace and even the church. Christ warned His apostles against it. Why do we have this tendency to want to rule with an iron fist? We covet what we can get at the expense of others - power, possessions, popularity. We begin to think, feel, and act as if we are so special, we deserve special treatment. We think we are successful, but ultimately it leads to failure.

Questions: Do I feel I am due certain treatment because of my position? Do I believe people should trust me just because I've climbed the ladder to success? Do I focus on what I can get and forget I'm a servant?

A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #27

 

Proverbs 27:

5 Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

There is so much truth in this chapter about what it is to be a true friend. A true friend knows how and when and why to confront us when we are going astray or have done something wrong or offensive - to them or to someone else.  A true friend does not just tell us what we want to hear. Verse 10 adds these thoughts:

 Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend,

    and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.

Better is a neighbor who is near

    than a brother who is far away.

A true friend is there in the hard times, and a neighbor is something more than someone who lives next door: a neighbor is a friend - like family, when things get tough.

Questions: Would people describe me as friendly? Who calls on you in time of crisis? Who, besides family, can you call on in time of crisis? Am I afraid to be a friend?

A Proverb A Day... #26

If there was ever a Proverb given for the age of Facebook, it is this one in Proverbs 26:

17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

We said earlier in our series that sometimes we must be willing and prepared to confront others when it is appropriate; we must not "avoid conflict at all costs." But life is lived in a balance. Sometimes we go looking for trouble; we feel it is our "responsibility" to address every statement with which we disagree, no matter how important or insignificant it may be.  Again, Solomon uses very vivid imagery: be sure such comments will come back to bite you.  When we feel we must comment, we stir up strife, cause division, and don't do anything to improve our reputation, which we talked about the other day.

Questions: When recently have I spoken up and cause unnecessary friction, hurt, or offence? What were the short-term results of my meddling? What are or could be the long-term ramifications? 

A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #25

Listen to this Proverb to see if it sounds familiar: 

6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

(Proverbs 25)

Jesus Himself alluded to this Proverb in Luke 14 when He was rebuking those who were trying to show how important they were by taking seats of honor.  Things had not changed much in the thousand years from Solomon to Jesus, nor the two thousand from His time to ours: it is still easy for us to "get full of ourselves", using the comparison game to figure out where we fit in, and how we can "get ahead." The principle was and is still the same: we do not need to reassert our importance or power or knowledge. God will take care of all that, but even more importantly, we need to be asking: "What can I do to promote His glory?"

Questions: When writing or speaking about myself, do I make a big deal about titles and degrees? At social gatherings, do I immediately head towards the "power people" or the "in crowd"? What are other ways I seek to stand out in the crowd to the detriment of the glory of God?

A Proverb A Day... #24

Proverbs 24:15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
    do no violence to his home;
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
    but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
    and turn away his anger from him. 

Another sign of true wisdom is how we deal with failure. It would be foolish to think that we will never fall or fail. What matters is how we respond to it. We need to get up and keep on going, humbly learning from our mistakes.  We also need to be careful about not comparing ourselves to others, watching them and hoping they will fail. Even when someone is living in wickedness, it is not our job to hope or do something to make them fail; that is God's job.  Our responsibility is to not let failures keep us down, but let the Lord pick us up, and being willing to allow others to help us on the way.

Questions: What have I attempted to do and failed? Have I simply given up and walked away? Do I see how my giving up affects those around me? Where do I find my strength to try again when I fall or fail? 

A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #23

 

Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
    for he will despise the good sense of your words.

This chapter is full of warnings to be careful, to watch out: Be careful how you act in the presence of leaders (verses 1-3), about the pursuit of wealth (4,5), about selfish people(6-9), about respecting boundaries (10-12), about being envious, about caring for parents (22-25), about temptation (26-28), and finally, about all the pitfalls of alcohol. In all of these warnings, it might at first sound as we need to run from the world and hide, and that in our verse above, the best thing is to say nothing.  But these words are hyperbole. They did not mean to avoid everyone and every situation, but to be careful in every situation. Here, we need to be very careful about confidences - about what we say and to whom we say it.  Nothing will destroy people's trust more or faster than unkept confidences.

Questions: Do people freely share with me very confidential matters? If not, why not?  Who is on your "short list" of those with whom you do share?  Do I, or should I ask permission to share things with someone else, even my spouse?  Do I want to be treated the same way I treat others when it comes to these things?

A Proverb A Day #22

 

Proverbs 22:1:

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

    and favor is better than silver or gold.

Wisdom is all about not only what we pursue in life, but what is most important.  At the top of the list is having a "good name." This is about reputation, character, dependability, trustworthiness.  It is not the means to an end. It is not about getting a good name so others will give you your own way, whatever you want. It is not a get rich scheme.  It is getting people to trust you so God can use you to bless them. It is important for us to live this way not only for our lives, but for those who are watching.  It is in this chapter that we find the best-known verse about child-rearing: verse 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. It is no mistake that when we find description of God's leaders and servants in the books of Timothy and Titus, the most outstanding characteristic God and His people look for is a good reputation.  

Questions: How much do I care about my reputation - not for my own gain or glory, but for God's glory and purposes?  What does my life show is important?  Do people look to me for an example?  Do I care? 

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #21

Proverbs 21:1-3: 

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

    he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

    but the Lord weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justice

    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Often when we look at Proverbs we wonder why it seems Solomon jumps from one topic to another. Indeed, in this chapter we find him talking about many of the other topics we have already discussed. The real question here is: "Why am I here and what can I do?" The chapter begins by talking about the power of the King, the Sovereignty of God, and the ability of every person to choose for himself what He will do. If all those things are true, what can I do that matters? I can do what is right and just.  Verse 15 brings this topic back up: When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. When we do what is right, it adds joy both in God's eye and in the lives of those around us.  Your life does make a difference.

Questions: Can people see that  I "do right by them"?  Do they see that I am more than fair; I am just?  Do I understand how important it is that I do what is right and just? What is it like when I don't?

A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #20

Some of the illustrations Solomon gives us are so graphic you can almost taste them - Like Proverbs 20:17:

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

    but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

The theme here is considering the consequences. Here in verse 17 it is about honesty but we also find it before and after this verse. Solomon also talks about drinking(v.1), laziness (v.4), patience (v.21) and making promises (v.25). Every day we make decisions about these things and establish convictions about them. Often, we do not have time to procrastinate in making them, but we always must consider the consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us. One key, in verse 22, is to "Wait for the LORD." Make sure that you are including Him and His Wisdom in the process.

Questions: What decision have I made recently which at the time made sense, but left my "mouth filled with gravel"?  What did I fail to consider? What can I do to build in a moral and ethical filter into the decisions I must make daily, and often promptly? Do I consider the consequences?

A Proverb A Day... #19

 
Proverbs 19:22:
What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.

This chapter deals a lot with what is to be considered as success, both as we look at our own lives, and as we evaluate and seek to encourage others. As we go down through this chapter, there are a lot of things that can lead to failure: making hasty decisions and statements(v.1,2), choosing our associates poorly(4), dishonesty (5), acting in anger (11,12), laziness (15), and an unwillingness to listen to advice(25,27).  Wisdom helps us overcome failure, but it will also help us help others as they seek victory in their lives. We need to listen to wisdom ourselves, and lovingly help others determine why they have failed and what Wisdom has to say about it, not condemn them and walk away.

Questions: Whom have I helped to overcome some failure? Is my first instinct to reach out and help them or withdraw from them? Who is God bringing my way today to use me to help pull them out from failure?

A Proverb A Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #18

 Proverbs chapter 18 begins:
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

    but only in expressing his opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

    and with dishonor comes disgrace.

We've already seen the past few days how important it is that we be willing to receive godly counsel and even correction.  If we do not learn to do this, we can begin to harden ourselves and corridor ourselves off from the wisdom, support and input we need. What we will then experience is people calling louder to be heard, and our pride makes us shout out even louder, refusing to hear them. It will build walls of contempt, conversations will no longer be respectful, and shame will hang on our faces as things fall apart.

Questions: Who is your support team? When was the last time you asked someone for advice?  What is the first question you can ask to get the conversation going?

A Proverb A Day... #17

Proverbs 17:3:
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and the Lord tests hearts. 

As we make our way through Proverbs 17, we find a number of references about allowing
God to filter our lives, to purify us. In verse 4 we need to examine what we listen to; in verse 5 we need to filter our attitudes, in verse 9 it is what we talk about, and in verses 10-14 it is what we get angry about.  The wise live a life of self-examination under the eye of God, allowing him to filter out foolishness. What we are left with: the silver and gold, we see what our motives really are, to see if they are pure and true.

Questions: What kind of music, news, even comedy do I listen to, and how dies it affect me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?  Do I have a filter on my mouth? Do I not even need one, because I have filtered my thoughts and motives way before the words come out?  What do I get excited about? Is it what excites God?

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #16

Proverbs 16:32

 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

We talked a little yesterday about the influence of anger over our foolish words and actions. Pride causes us to not think we need anyone else's ideas or help, which leads to anger if they have a different idea or problems with ours.  To avoid this, we must first humbly submit our plans to the Lord for His wise input (see verse 3), and be willing to listen to other. We must also learn than an angry, self-justifying response will sour our relationships with others, straining our ability to work or serve together, but, as verse 21 says: sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. People are more likely to consider our view and our plan if we do not give an angry response if they disagree.

Questions: Do I come off as an "angry person?" What are the situations that "set me off"? What were the results of my last "fit of rage"?  What perfectly good plan failed to happen because I gave an angry response?

A Proverb a Day... #@15

The main theme of Proverbs 15 is well-stated in verse 22: 

Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.

There are a number of verses in this chapter about how we seek and respond to correction and instruction.  Often, when we have made up our mind on a decision, if someone else offers different counsel we can become angry and defensive (See verse 18)  We can help protect ourselves (and those around us) from this by developing a practice of seeking input from others in the first place.  We need to make sure that pride has not convinced us that the people around us have nothing to offer.  We must view those around us as gifts of God - especially fellow believers who have His wisdom and Spirit.  Verse 31 summarizes it well: He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

Questions: When I have an important decision to make - especially for the group - who do I ask for input? Do I ask? Could I avoid times of anger and frustration by asking for input first?

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #14

Proverbs 14:21:

 21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Throughout the book of Proverbs Solomon repeatedly warned that wickedness and foolishness lead to poverty and affliction.  But that does not always mean that the poor got that way because they personally were living an evil, foolish life.  In fact, he says here that one who treats someone else as worthless because they are poor is the real sinner. Beneath the surface and between the lines here is a distinction he makes between the simple who lack wisdom, and the scoffer who rejects it and the fool who hates it. Rather than looking at others and thinking we know what sin has led to their condition, we are to look upon others with grace and generosity, and we are to show acts of kindness and compassion.   

Questions: Do I look down upon those in misery? Do I think to myself that it is their own fault? Do I then do nothing to help them because I feel justified in my judgment?

A Proverb a Day... #13

Proverbs 13:3

 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Though this chapter covers many issues, such as respect, pretending, poverty, education, and sending of envoys, the overall theme is that we live in a world of words, and these words should be backed up by action.  In a world when so many talk so much, it is easy to speak (or even write on social media) without stopping to think. When that is the go-to way of doing life, bad things happen - not only to us, but all those around us.

Questions for the day: Have a put a guard over my mouth? Have I become used to "saying the right things" without living it out? Do I talk so much that people have stopped listening?

A Proverb a Day... #12

                Proverbs 12:1

 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Wow... how is that to start out a chapter? No one likes to be called stupid. It's considered to be rude, inappropriate, and politically incorrect to say such a thing. But in this case, it's true. How well we receive correction, reprove and rebuke will determine a lot about our success in life.  If we pursue the wrong things, head down the wrong path, use our words in the wrong way, and then refuse to be confronted about the consequences, we will not only mess up ourselves but those around us.  Verse 26 reminds us: 

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,

    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Stupidity spreads, but so can wisdom.  We need to be devoted to non-stupidity, both for us and those around us.  The way to do that is to embrace wisdom, to accept correction, and even be willing to ask for it.

Questions: How well, or poorly, do I accept correction from my boss/teacher/parent? How well do I accept it from by spouse/friends/co-workers? How about my kids or others for whom I am responsible? Do I idly watch while those around me run off and do something stupid, or do I come beside them?

A Proverb a Day... #11

The first verse of Proverbs 11 sets the major theme for the chapter:

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    but a just weight is his delight. 

There is an emphasis throughout the chapter on wisdom in finances - both how they are obtained and how they are spent. These thoughts are skipping stones throughout, and then we get to a cluster in verse:
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.

When it comes to obtaining resources, there is a righteous way to do so, and an evil one.  It is good to be diligent and devoted, but not make the obtaining of wealth the most important thing in life.  Expecting to be rich is not spiritually healthy.  When it comes to using our resources hoarding and selfishness destroy our spirit, while being generous and blessing others is a wise investment, both in this life and the life to come. 

Questions: What things of this world do I want more than God? Am I being honest about that answer? Do I trust God to supply all my needs, but also prove to be a faithful worker?  Who do I need to share some of my resources with today?

A Proverb a Day... #10

Today in our "Proverb-a-day" study we come to chapter 10. It is a whole continuous list of contrasts: "a wise man does this, but a foolish man does that." It is hard to pick out one representative verse, but I chose verse:

 9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

    but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Like they say "integrity matters;" it makes a world of difference. This chapters lists all sorts of ways that wisdom is shown is business dealings, relationships, speech, attitudes and actions. In our pride and laziness, we sometimes think, act and speak like integrity does not matter, but in the end, we find it does.  Look in this chapter especially for references to the tongue, mouth, and babbling. The more we say, the greater the chance we will say something foolishwith our mouths.

Questions: Do I talk to much? Am I an example of integrity in my finances? My work ethic? And especially in my speech?

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #9

 

In Proverbs 9, Wisdom is pictured as hosting a grand feast in the beautiful banquet hall of her glorious palace. She invites us to come and eat, but many, like in Jesus' parable of the feast, refuse to come, saying they have too many other things to do.  We come then to verse 9:

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

The wise man realizes that he never has received all the wisdom he will ever need; he never rejects and invitation to come for more; he always remains teachable. This is related to two points we have already touched on: laziness and pride: laziness wants to sit back and glide; pride says: "I already know enough." 

Questions: When someone talks to me, to I listen as if I could actually learn something from them, or am I just waiting to give them my ideas?  Have I become so busy going down my path that I think I am too busy or important to pause and learn more?

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #8

Proverbs 8

13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.

This chapter begins with another call to listen to wisdom. Why do we often find it difficult to hear her voice? Pride. Here we have pride in all it's dimensions: It begins in our minds with who we think we are; it seeps into our attitude as arrogance; we see it in the evil way we treat others, and it comes out of our mouths in perverted speech. Pride is all-pervasive and needs to be shut up and shut out if we are going to be able to hear wisdom.  

Questions: What have I said today that sounded arrogant? Go through the rest of the day listening to what you say.  Have I abused my position or relationships in some way that shows I have a prideful attitude?  Do I think that no one around here could do this without me? Beware the deafening voice of pride.

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #7

Proverbs 7: 

My son, keep my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
    keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and call insight your intimate friend.

These opening verses set the stage for what our perspective needs to be on the Wisdom found in the Word of God. We should treat it is treasure, the apple of our eye, something we want to remember, written in our heart, a close family member and friend.  Solomon goes on throughout the rest of the chapter warning us what will happen if we do not: we will slowly get off the path and be sucked into temptation.

Questions: How do you feel about Scripture? Do you highly value its place in your life? Do you want to live by it? Have you been ignoring it, neglecting it, forgetting it? Are you falling for and into temptation?

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #6

Proverbs 6: 

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
    goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
    points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
    continually sowing discord; 

15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;

    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

This chapter is home to that classic passage "Seven Things God Hates", but right before that is this paragraph.  The fool destroys relationships by twisting the truth, telling one person one thing, while winking to another person that he is really lying, using all sorts of gestures to make false accusations against others, coming up with plans to make others look bad and himself look good. He does everything in his ability to control the situation by turning people on one another.  Sometimes it seems like these people get away with it, but ultimately, suddenly, it will catch up to them. Let's be wise enough to value relationships and not destroy them.

Questions: Have I in some way caused strife between others, sowing the seeds of discord? Have I told half-truths to get my way?  Have I made accusations that are not try, destroying someone's trust in me?

A Proverb a Day... #5

Proverbs 5

 My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
    incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep discretion,
    and your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,
    and her speech is smoother than oil,
4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
    sharp as a two-edged sword.

Throughout this chapter Solomon goes on to repeat this call to marital fidelity: to watch his lips and who they kiss.  The key word is discretion, prudence, the ability to look around and see the big picture and the consequences of one's actions.  Unfaithfulness to one's spouse often flows over into other areas on one's life, where he or she is not dependable or does not hold to high moral standards. It will come back to stab you in the back, or the heart, but also have devastating effects on those around you.

Questions: Does treatment of your spouse show discretion. Have you been faithful to God and others with your thoughts, eyes and actions. Has your lack of faithfulness in this area flowed over into other areas of your life? 

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Foolishness Away #4

Proverbs 4:

 Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2 for I give you good precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live.

Wisdom cannot be inherited, but it must be passed on.  Solomon's father David had sought to pour into his son wisdom and understanding, but it was not automatic that it would sink in.  We all have a choice as to whether we will receive it or not.  The rest of the chapter implores us to fully embrace wisdom and not let her go, because if we don't we can really mess up our lives.  And if we fail to pass wisdom on, we can mess up the lives of those whom we influence.  

A Proverb a Day... #3

 

Today we want to take a fresh look at that well-known proverb in chapter 3:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

As we said yesterday, life is a path, and there are so many distractions, directions and decisions that can take us off that path, that can lead our hearts astray. Later on in the chapter Solomon talks about going after silver, gold, and jewels. (v.14,15) A wise person develops trust in God to avoid such disasters. We really do easily fall into that trap that we believe we always know best. It began with Eve and Adam.  

Questions: Do I have a heart that really trusts God's heart? Do I believe He knows what is best for me? Then, can others trust in my heart? Can they look to me to help them see God's path like Solomon did his son? 

A Proverb a Day (keeps the foolishness away).

 

Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 guarding the paths of justice

    and watching over the way of his saints.

Often in life we get ourselves into trouble not because we have gotten off the path. This chapter is especially full of words about the path, the way, the course.(watch for these throughout the Proverbs.)   This path has been laid out before us, so it is more about staying on course than it is changes in direction.  When we know and stay on the path, we will know what direction to turn when we must.

Questions: Do I ask God for wisdom and direction only when I have a major decision, or do I ask Him to show me the path? Do I find myself taking sudden changes when the path gets rough, getting myself way off course? Do I see God developing within me deeper discernment for when I must decide?

A Proverb a Day... Keeps the Foolishness Away #1

 

Today, we begin a new month and a new series of studies in Proverbs. Each day I will focus in on one verse from that day's chapter of Proverbs - 31 chapters in 31 days.  I would encourage you not only to think about that one verse, but read the whole chapter to see what one God point's out to you.
Today's verse is Proverbs 1:7: The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This verse, of course, sets the tone not only for the chapter, but the whole book. I once heard that the fear of the Lord is "worshipful submission to God from a believing heart." Eighteen times in Proverbs we are told how necessary the fear of the Lord is to life. It means holding Him higher than anyone or anything, respecting His Word enough to actually listen and live by it, and being responsive, not scoffing at Him.

Questions: Does my worship demonstrate that I know God is in charge? Do I seek His Word for direction in my decisions and relationships? Do I find myself drawn to His wisdom, or going through life ignoring it?