Over the past three decades I鈥檝e made it my habit to read through Psalms and Proverbs once a month; for Psalms, that includes five per day and for Proverbs, one chapter a day. What I find most inspiring is that I never cease to discover some new nugget of truth. As I鈥檝e mused on what to write about in the coming year, I decided I would, at least for a few weeks, share some of those nuggets with my readers.
To begin with let me establish the fact that I am no expert, not an highly educated Bible scholar and no interpreter of language - I just know how God has spoken to my own heart through the writings of King David and his son, Solomon.
Solomon wastes no time in spelling out the importance of wisdom by defining what we are to know, understand, receive and seek out. That鈥檚 so much different that merely collecting information.
In Chapter 2 of the book he notes that wisdom, also called the fear of the Lord, provides us with strength to better avoid giving in to evil, immorality and wrong decisions. That involves actively seeking out God鈥檚 will and strength through reading His Word.
As encouraging as is the strength we receive, are the results of pursuing wisdom: 鈥渄iscretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you鈥o you may walk in the way of goodness and keep to the paths of righteousness鈥︹�� On top of that, we鈥檙e human so we fail but He鈥檚 faithful and He forgives!
In closing, here are a couple of quotes from others who have explored the power of wisdom: 鈥淏ehold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.鈥� (Job 28:28)
鈥淭he wisdom that is from above is鈥ure鈥eaceable鈥entle鈥ull of mercy鈥ithout partiality and without hypocrisy.鈥� (read James 3:17)
