God Speaks
Study Proverbs to Gain Wisdom, Instruction, Prudent Behavior, Fairness, Discretion and Guidance
Verse of the Day: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom ad understanding. (Proverbs 1:7 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 154
We Respond
This collection of wise sayings, parental advice and comparison of wisdom and foolishness written between the tenth and the sixth centuries B.C. is amazingly relevant today.
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 1-3:
1. What do these verses tell me about God?
2. What do these verses tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Proverbs 1
1. God is a good father who instructs His children in how to have a good and happy life.
2. People, especially the young, can be led astray by those with evil intent.
Proverbs 2
1. God is wise. He wants people to live wisely. If they ask Him, God will give people wisdom.
2. Some people (fools) use twisted words, insist on turning from the right way, prefer dark paths, and take pleasure in doing wrong.
Proverbs 3
1. God grants favor with Himself and other people to the person who walks in love and faithfulness.
3. People who despise the LORD’s wisdom and discipline are fools and will be cursed and rejected by God.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 1-3?
Dear awesome creator LORD God, fearing You truly is the beginning or source of wisdom. Please show me what that means. Please help me to gain wisdom as I study the book of Proverbs. I don’t want to be foolish and despise Your instruction. I acknowledge that if I do despise it, I will likely be led astray and suffer consequences. I much prefer to receive the rewards of living wisely. Help me to not just hear, read and study Your words but to memorize, meditate on (that is think about), and apply them in my daily life. Please help me to pass this knowledge and wisdom on to my children or other future generations. The more people turn to You for wisdom, the more people will live good lives and bring glory to Your name.Thank You, LORD God, for being a good father who instructs His children in the right way to live and warns them about evildoers. Help me to search for wisdom as if it were hidden treasure. Show me what it means to fear You, LORD. Please shield me so that I can walk in integrity. I need to know and do what is just, right, and fair. Your instruction and watch-care will fill me with joy. I know that the wisdom You give will keep me safe from evil people with their twisted words and ways. Keep me from immoral women and seductive men. Following their ways leads to death; help me to follow the example of good men and women instead. They are steady and strong, but the treacherous ones will be overthrown. I want to live a life that brings You glory. to Dear All-wise God, thank You for desiring for Your children to come to You to obtain wisdom for our lives here on earth. Your word says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask You and that You will give it freely without scolding or ridiculing us. Thank You for giving us the Scriptures so that we can learn to be wise instead of ignorant, foolish, or evil. May my heart keep Your commands. Help me to always be loyal and kind. So often I seek to find favor with other people; please help me to first seek to find favor with You. Please help me to increasingly trust You instead of my own plans and purposes. Instead of being impressed with my own wisdom, may I fear You, LORD, and turn away from evil. I know that this will lead to physical, mental, and spiritual health. As I honor You with whatever wealth You give me, You will reward me in Your time and in Your way. Discipline me however You know is best. I’m assured that You love and take delight in me. I take joy in the wisdom that You give me: it’s more valuable to me than gold, silver, or precious gems. There are many benefits of my pursuing Lady Wisdom. After all, You used wisdom as You created this wondrously vast yet intricate universe. Please help me to keep a firm grip on the common sense and discernment that come from You, because they will keep me out of much difficulty. Exercising them when interacting with other people will build me a good reputation and bring me the grace, honor, and blessing from You, LORD, that I so need and desire. In turn I will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 1-3?
- I will look into what it means to fear the LORD.
- I will ask Father God to instruct me so that I can live a good and happy life.
- I will sit down with a child I know to have a serious talk about good and evil behavior.
- I will make a list of at least five results of obtaining wisdom and/or at least three ways to do so.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.