Discovering Words To Live By...
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The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs Chapter 1
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 1:7, 32-33
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
Observation= In verse 7 of Proverbs chapter 1 you discover the motto of the book of Proverbs. If you recognize God and his authority and if you reverently submit your life to following God’s wisdom you will live in safety and in rest. The ‘fear of the Lord’ mentioned here is not to live in terror but rather in reverence. It is an acknowledgement of a God who demands our trust and our obedience. He is a God who loves his children and desires for them to prosper but without acknowledging his word, his will and his ways, his creation is doomed to fail. A word given to us no matter how wise it may be is worth nothing unless it is heard, accepted and followed. There is but one God and he alone is the source of ‘Truth’; His name is Jesus and he is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life.’
Application= Do we acknowledge God’s words as simply wise sayings or do we believe that following them will bring us life? There can be a simple acknowledgement of wise words or we can cling to them and build our whole life around them. These words are never old fashion or out of date but contain safety, prosperity, health, knowledge and are wisdom personified. I need to accept them and follow them in a ‘no questions asked manner.’
Prayer= Lord, thank you for giving me your wisdom in words I can read and gain understanding from. You are ‘Wisdom’ Jesus and we can see your words of wisdom portrayed by your life. Help me to follow your words and abide in their wisdom. Teach me from this book and may I see my life bear the evidence of a wise man who has chosen to live by the wisdom of ‘the One True God.’
