- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 – We are now stepping into the study of Proverbs, the book of wisdom. We discover here that the beginning of knowledge (or wisdom, while knowledge and wisdom are different, they can often be used interchangeably in this book) is the fear of the Lord. This is not meaning that when we are terrified of God we find wisdom, it means that when we posture ourselves with the proper reverence and respect to the Lord is when we can receive His wisdom. For true wisdom is only from the Lord and we will only receive such a blessing from the Lord when we give Him the honor and respect He deserves. If then we desire to be able to handle life with wisdom and if we desire discernment within the matters of our life, we see in this chapter that the voice of wisdom is here yelling in the streets to be heard. If though we don’t first begin with a fear of the Lord, then we’ll be deafened to wisdom’s voice. Seeking to say all this more plainly, if you want to handle life differently than how you see so many today handling their life (surrounding themselves with bad influences, constantly in debt, always discontent, always stressed, etc.), then we ought to seek out the Lord’s wisdom in life. He has the answers we are looking for, He knows the path to success in life, He is the source of joy and peace. Since this is true and only through Him can we find the wisdom we need in life, let us begin to offer him the fear He deserves. Let us treat His Word and His people with the respect He calls us to and let us see the Lord for who He truly is, the King of Kings and Lord over all. There, in a posture of humility and honor to the Lord, is where we can begin to hear the voice of God’s wisdom clearly. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2909
- Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. Proverbs 1:19 – Here is the truth that our enemy loves to hide from us. He hides it because if this was always on our minds we’d never fall into his deceitful ways again. This passage says that such ways of sin takes the life of those following after those ways. That it doesn’t bring fulfillment, relief, or life like our enemy tells us it will, but instead removes it. As the writer of proverbs has said and will keep on saying throughout the book, listen to these wise instructions. Following after sin, no matter how attractive it may be, will lead to death. Yet as verse 23 says those that follow the right path will be refreshed with God’s Spirit. God wants to help you, our enemy wants to kill you, which will you follow? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 672
- Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 – Scripture here is relating our parent’s wisdom to fine jewelry. It’s something that we should treasure and wear proudly. It’s something that often comes at a great cost to have. It’s something that can be passed down to our kids one day. The message though is to take the teachings and “wear” them. Let the wisdom and instructions given to us be something worn and lived out within our story. Yet all this is for more than just our earthly parent’s wisdom, it includes God’s wisdom too. Hear what God says, listen to His words, live out then what He tells you. As a young lady who gets a fancy, new engagement ring proudly wears it and shows literally everyone she can, so should we wear the wisdom given to us by those who love us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1683
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