Proverbial Wisdom!

Reflection:  In life we spend a good chunk of our life in education from grade school all the way to graduate school for some.  Of course it is good to get a good education, and become smart and get a good job and so on and so on.  But there is another kind of education that often doesn’t get as much attention.  This is an education in what the bible calls “wisdom”.  The book of Proverbs, written by Solomon, who if you will remember is one wise guy, gives us instruction in wisdom. For example:

“21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

    preserve sound judgment and discretion;

22 they will be life for you,

    an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety,

    and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster

    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the Lord will be at your side

    and will keep your foot from being snared.”

My favorite definition of wisdom is, “Seeing life from God’s perspective!”  Of course one can be very smart in knowledge, and still lack wisdom.  There is a connection between the two, because if one is truly smart, they will want to know God’s way and listen to His voice (which the Proverbs personify as “wisdom”).  The Proverbs is one of the most practical books in the bible, giving us God’s wisdom in everything from listening to one’s parents to making sure to pay your debts to your neighbors. 

One of my favorite Proverbs is in today’s reading, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of all life.” Or as the NIV version puts it, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  One of the ways we guard our hearts is to have God’s Word constantly in front us and on our lips.  A great way to practically do this is the get in the habit of reading the bible on a daily basis, using whatever system you like.  I have been using the Moravian bible system for the past two years, as I love the tie in between the Old and New Testament, and the pacing of reading the bible over two years.  But it really doesn’t matter how much you read, but that you are constantly being reminded of God’s love and encouraged by His promises and informed of His wisdom. 

As you read the bible each day maybe pick one verse, where you feel God is speaking to you personally to encourage you in your walk.  Then as you lie down to sleep, share the verse with someone in your family or a friend, and spend some time reflecting on your day in thanksgiving for the good things that happened during the day, and praying for areas that maybe were not so good! 

The Proverbs say something about this too as they proclaim:

“21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

    preserve sound judgment and discretion;

22 they will be life for you,

    an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety,

    and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

As we develop the daily disciplines of hearing God’s voice (wisdom) through His Word, and guarding our hearts we can realize the promises God’s gives us and our hearts will be a wellspring of life!  We can say as the psalmist says today,

3 For you have been my refuge,

    a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever

    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings

Guard your heart this morning as everything you do today will flow from it!  Amen.

Psalm 61

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

1 Hear my cry, O God;

    listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,

    I call as my heart grows faint;

    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge,

    a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever

    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

5 For you, God, have heard my vows;

    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Increase the days of the king’s life,

    his years for many generations.

7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;

    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name

    and fulfill my vows day after day.

Proverbs 3:21-4:27

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

    preserve sound judgment and discretion;

22 they will be life for you,

    an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety,

    and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster

    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the Lord will be at your side

    and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor,

    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—

    when you already have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,

    who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—

    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the violent

    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse

    but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers

    but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

35 The wise inherit honor,

    but fools get only shame.

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;

    pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning,

    so do not forsake my teaching.

3 For I too was a son to my father,

    still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,

    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;

    keep my commands, and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;

    do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

    love her, and she will watch over you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

    embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will give you a garland to grace your head

    and present you with a glorious crown.”

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,

    and the years of your life will be many.

11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom

    and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;

    when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

    guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked

    or walk in the way of evildoers.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;

    turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;

    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness

    and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

    they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;

    turn your ear to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight,

    keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them

    and health to one’s whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart,

    for everything you do flows from it.

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;

    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;

    fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet

    and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

    keep your foot from evil.

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:7

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[c] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The Lord made the earth by his power, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. Jeremiah 10:12

By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. Hebrews 11:3

Immortal, invisible God, your work is awe-inspiring. We look at the heavens, which you have made, at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places, and wonder, “What is mere man that you care for him?” Help us through faith to comprehend your grand plan for creation and our role in it. Amen.