Verse of the Day 3/6

 

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We've been considering God's Word as the source of wisdom and how we are called to "get it", go after it with all we've got.  The verses come from the book of Proverbs, most of which was written by Solomon.  The other "wisdom" books of the Old Testament include more of his writings in Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon as well as much of his father David's writings in the Psalms.  Both of them pointed to the importance of wisdom, knowledge, insight and understanding.  The thoughts have been echoed by prophets, apostles, pastors and teachers of God's Word through the ages.

 

I read today's verses along with the following quote from Pastor James Smith in the normal course of action, both came up in my devotions.  I didn't plan them but they were there in front of me to be read and considered.  I am continually amazed by how God coordinates these kind of things.

 

The true Christian . . .
learns the doctrines with satisfaction,
believes the promises with joy,
accepts the invitations with gratitude,
receives the cautions with fear,
listens to the exhortations with pleasure,
walks by the precepts with delight,
reads it with reverence,
searches it with diligence, and
implores the promised teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand it.

Beware of slighting, despising, or neglecting the Bible.
Read it daily,
pray over it incessantly, and
meditate on what it reveals continually!   James Smith

 

Read that quote again. notice what spending times in God's Word, in the search for wisdom and understanding, brings: satisfaction, joy, gratitude, reverence, pleasure, delight, and guidance.  We should also be aware of the cautions of slighting, despising and neglecting the Bible.  As Solomon points out in verse 11, if we scorn (slighting, despising or neglecting) its wisdom, its teachings, we will be the ones to suffer.

 

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

² But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Proverbs 9:9-12New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ Instruct the wise,
    and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
    and they will learn even more.

¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

¹¹ Wisdom will multiply your days
    and add years to your life.
¹² If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.
    If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.