Read Proverbs 8 -- 11
In Today's Reading:
Benefits of wisdom; wise and foolish contrasted.
Verse for Today:
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is Mine, and sound wisdom. . . . I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early (earnestly) shall find Me. . . . Blessed are they that keep My ways. . . . For whoso findeth Me findeth life. . . . All they that hate Me love death (8:13-14,17,32,35-36).
The wisdom of God is far more than human knowledge; it isprophetic of Jesus Christ, Who of God is made unto us wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). He is presented to us as the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
Nothing in life is more treasured or more priceless than knowing Christ, the Word of God, for He has said: All the words of My mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that [understands], and right to them that find knowledge. Receive My instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it (Proverbs 8:8-11).
Is it any surprise that Satan seeks above all else to keep Christians from reading what God has written, the only sure way of knowing right from wrong?
God has also warned: He that [reproves] a scorner [receives in return] shame (slander and insults) (9:7). The proud person foolishly regards rebuke as a personal insult and an attack upon himself. In contrast, rebuke a wise man, and he will love [you]. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be . . . wiser: teach a just man (one in right standing with God), and he will increase in learning (9:7-9). The one who is reproving should do so with a Christlike spirit. A "wise" person will react in a spirit of humility and will carefully consider the reproof whether or not the rebuke is kind and loving in its delivery.
If our first consideration is love, loyalty, and service to the Lord, it leads to obedience to His Word. This fear (reverence). . . . is the beginning of wisdom: and . . . (of) understanding (9:10), and covers every aspect of life: physical, moral, spiritual, financial, and social well being.
The basic difference between the wise man and the fool is the use each makes of his time, talents, and material possessions. When we rely on God and His Word, it will result in loving obedience to Him regarding the use of our time, talents, and possessions (3:5-6).
We all are on one of two roads in our journey through life. Jesus warned: Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat (Matthew 7:13). The road followed by the wise brings happiness, satisfaction, peace, and eternal life; however, the broad road of the fool inevitably leads to vanity -- a wasted life -- and ultimately ends in the eternal lake of fire. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
Christ Revealed:
As being the Creator when He prepared the heavens (Proverbs 8:27-31; compare John 1:3). [You], Lord, in the beginning [have] laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of [Your] hands (Hebrews 1:10).
Word Studies:
8:8 froward = false or wrong; 8:12 of witty inventions = with wise insight; 8:29 his decree = its boundary; 9:7 getteth himself a blot = only harms himself; 10:1 heaviness = grief, shame; 10:4 slack = negligent, lazy; 10:8 prating fool = self-sufficient know-it-all; 11:6 naughtiness = wickedness.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL), Rep. Michael Ferguson (NJ), Sen. Kay Hutchison (TX), Rep. John Larson (CT), Rep. Steven LaTourette (OH), and Rep. Curt Weldon (PA) · Pray for the missionary ministries · Country: Nauru (11,000) in the central Pacific · Major languages: Nauruan and English · Religious freedom · 57% Protestant; 24% Roman Catholic; 10% Buddhist and Chinese folk-religionist · Prayer Suggestion: Ask according to the will of God and you will receive (John 16:24).
Optional Reading: Titus 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:23