An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Expensive

(Pro 4:7 KJV)  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.


This month in Proverbs, I am reading from the NIV.  The NIV puts in a phrase here that made me look at how others translated.

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
The NIV seems to have the idea that everything you have financially, emotionally, socially, should be invested in achieving wisdom and understanding.  As I look at other translations, I see nuances of this idea.

As you look at this, you need to understand a couple of things that are repeated in the book of Proverbs.
(Pro 1:7 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Pro 9:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Noticed that both of these began with the fear of the Lord.  I understand that to mean not the craven fear of phobias, but the fear of respect and awe, and being overwhelmed with grandeur and holiness.

So?  The message of Proverbs , repeated time and again, is that wisdom is something we must have.  It also implies that it is available.  This might be a good day to start your search you have not already. 

Friday, January 3, 2025

Pick a Card

Proverbs 3:33 (KJV) The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

This chapter in Proverbs is loaded with the reality of getting rewards for our actions and our choices expressed in many different ways.  You could preach a sermon on tithing, you could teach about creation, you could talk about the blessings of wisdom and foolishness of sin.  There are all kinds of contrast here.

I finally settled on this first because it is a way in which we can look at the year to come and make decisions now about what we expect from this year.  He talks hear about your “house” or later in the verse “habitation”.  What this means is not just your building, but your family, your friends, and possibly even your neighborhood.  What kind of influence is going to be radiating from you?

So?  When we begin the year is a bit arbitrary, but for most of us it’s the time to stop, think, and plan.  Why not plan for a year of being blessed by God by living a life that blesses him? 

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Day Two

Proverbs 2:1 (KJV) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

I wonder how many people in the United States have January 2 off this year.  If you were a student or a teacher, then you were still on the Christmas break most likely.  If you work in certain places they might say just take the whole week off.  If you’re self-employed, your wife may have things for you to do.  Anyway you look at it you should have a bit of leisure to stop and think about the coming year.  That is where Solomon comes in.

As you begin the year, get ready to receive the things that God has to say to you.  Keep in mind that often you won’t be able to receive it unless you are looking for it.  I can have a mailbox full of mail down by the street, but if I don’t go down and open the door and look inside, I will never find it.  Of course, with a mailbox, the day comes when it gets so full that the mail starts falling out and piling up on the ground making it easier to see.  I’m not sure of God’s wisdom works that way.

And then we have to take that wisdom and make it our own.  We need to hide it.  We need to take it away.  I was talking to a guy this week and we were commiserating on how we can’t remember names.  One of the reasons that we can’t remember them is because it is not a priority.  The only way I can remember names is if I consciously work at it, and keep repeating it until it sticks.  Sometimes I will look for a clue to remind me, for instance, a guy name Byron reminds me of the poet, Lord Byron.

So?  You can’t make a withdrawal from an account unless you made a deposit.  In one sense God has made the deposit in His written word.  We can withdraw from that account, but we need to apply it into the account of our soul so that it will be available when we need it.  Happy new year.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

The Year of the Ear

(Pro 1:33 KJV)  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

I’m going to assume something.  I assume that you were not born yesterday.  I know I wasn’t.  That means that I have a pool of knowledge and experience to draw on.  Having said that, I still need to be reminded of some common basic things.  If you’re a man, you know what it is to have somebody remind you that you forgot to zip up your fly.  It pays to listen.  I find myself sitting behind men in church who have not adjusted their collar and need to listen to my advice about that bit of fashion.  My wife likes to tell me that we have high winds coming and I know I need to move the furniture on the porch.

It doesn’t matter how much you know, you still need to listen.

So?  As we begin a new year, I assure you that God will be speaking to you.  If you’re like me, you need to listen.  I will try to follow my own advice.  You can re-read the verse and decide what it says to you.