May 31, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
This chapter in Proverbs addresses all kinds of issues, everything from speaking what is true (v.5) and being cautious and discerning (v.16) to being generous to the poor (v.21, 31) and slow to anger (v.17, 29). Amidst these various issues the proverbs are addressing, we see in verse 6 that “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding”.
A recurring theme throughout the Proverbs is a contrast being drawn between the wise man and the fool, and this verse is no exception! We see here that those who are “scoffers” or foolish in their thinking and living will be unable to find wisdom even if they sincerely try to; indeed, the author tells us in verse 12 that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (emphasis mine). So the fool who seeks after wisdom may think that he has found it, but in truth he has only found the road to death!
Those who have understanding, on the other hand, are able to find wisdom with ease! What sets the two apart from each other is the posture of their heart; we learned in the beginning of the Proverbs that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). The “man of understanding” in verse 6 is one whose heart is humble, reverent, worshipful, and obedient towards God in the fear of Him, while the scoffer does not possess the fear of the LORD.
So while the way that seems right to the scoffer ends in death, for the man of understanding “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death” (v.27)!
We see once more that, as we seek the wisdom of God and seek to live our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to Him, we must begin with setting our hearts in the posture of fearing Him, of giving Him the reverence and worship due His name! If we don’t, we may be going in a way that seems right to us, but its end is only death.
Proverbs 14
14 The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.
2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
but envy makes the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
- How can we gauge if the path we are taking in life is the path of the LORD or only what seems right to us?
- Why is the fear of the LORD so integral to the rest of wisdom? Why must it be the starting point in our search for wisdom?
Family Discussion Question:
- What does it mean for us to fear the LORD? How does fearing the LORD rightly put us on the right path in life?
Father of all creation, praise your holy name. Father, you must cry as you look across America. Jesus taught us to do to others what we would want them to do to us. May I be a light in a dark world. Together, let’s light the path today so one more will find Jesus. Amen
Dear Heavenly FATHER, we come to you on our knees with a thankful heart knowing that you are a GOD of grace and mercy ,asking for Your guidance and direction. Please help us to be cautious and turn from evil not to be like the fool that is reckless and careless Let us be crowned with knowledge and fear you and follow the guidance that Dr Trammell set forth in his email yesterday to bring peace and understanding to our troubled world at this time of turmoil . This we pray in the name of Your Son JESUS CHRIST Amen
Father, God. This morning is gloriously beautiful in my little MS town and I am so very thankful for the peace and serenity here. I lift to You the cities across America that are in chaos this morning – the family of the man who was so shamelessly murdered, and the small business owners whose lives have been literally destroyed by purely evil forces. Lord, have mercy on them and may they seek peace and shelter with You. Our hearts are saddened and grieved. It is time once more for “your people who are called by your name to humble ourselves, and pray and seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven, and forgive our sin and our land.” 2 chronicles 7:14. This is literally Your roadmap out of this chaos. My prayer today in Your holy and precious Son’s name. Amen.
Amen!
Amen and Amen?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Many grow up thinking that if they are a “good” person and do good deeds, then they will go to heaven. However, as we have learned through Your Word, there is only one way to get to heaven . And that is through believing in Jesus Christ who saved us from our sins. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So when man is left to his own devices to get him through life, he will never acquire the true blessings that You have waiting for us. All glory and honor should be given to You,Lord, for You are all knowing and all righteous. Any deed that we do or accomplish on our own is like dirty rags compared to the power and greatness of Your works. Without You, we are nothing and our works are meaningless without You at the forefront. Please help us keep our eyes on You and lift our voices in praise and give You the glory for everything. Thank you for loving us so greatly that You sent us Your son Jesus. Please heal our broken nd hate filled land and help us, Your Christian soldiers, end this fight. Empower us with Your wisdom and love and give us opportunities to shine Your love to all we meet to cast out this horrible darkness. In Jesus’ Precious and Holy name. Amen.
To fear the Lord is to have some understanding of His magnificence and stand in awe. As children, we have a similar type of love and reverence for our parents. We know they love us, but are aware that they will guide us and set boundaries. When we hit up on these boundaries, or overstep them, then we may know of consequence and even punishment.
This is a good thing.
God fulfills the role of parent and so much more! With Him, it is all of life, time, and space in the form of precepts and He speaks to us through favor vs removing His hand of mercy.
Fearing the Lord sets our heart and mind in the right posture. We must stay humble, giving thanks to Him in everything and acknowledging that our goodness and understanding comes from Him…or we will find ourself in a place of pride and self-righteousness. This is sin and it separates us from our Lord and savior.
When we fear the Lord, we seek Him (not self), He grants wisdom and understanding, and He keeps our path straight.
Thank you Lord for walking with me, every step of the way. Thanks for your consistent love and guidance and forgiveness. Amen❤?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Well put.
The prudent are crowned with knowledge. The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely.
Dear Father, our hearts are breaking as we see folly, shamefulness and sin running rampant across our nation’s cities. We pray for revival and restoration Father. We pray for Your grace, compassion and love to abound.
God bless you George Floyd… You are in the presence of your Maker today!
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Matt. 5:9
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:13
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
We pray for our nation, Lord, that wicked ways
are laid down and that hearts are drawn to You.
Heal our land. Amen.
Beautifully well said!
Amen & Amen to the thoughts, prayers & supplications of the thread! Father God, indeed your heart breaks as you look down on America today and our hearts break with does yours. We know that You see, You care & You will act. Have mercy on us Lord & heal our land. Give us wisdom & understanding & patience until such time that, by Your Grace & for Your glory, You lead us to the end of this pandemic , crisis & strife & You have accomplished Your will & purpose. That You are exalted among the nations & You are exalted in all the earth!
Amen!
“The fear of the Lord” as in Proverbs encompasses a number of aspects. Go back in what we have read and take note of what we will read in the future. Like a valuable diamond, the fear of the Lord is multi faceted, each face is replete with wisdom.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
We pray that as we think and talk about your will, that your Spirit will clearly lead us to join you in your kingdom work in NW houston.
Why is the fear of the LORD so integral to the rest of wisdom? Because Proverbs 9:10 reminds us that fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom.
Pride can have no place in our hearts if we want to be teachable and become wiser in the LORD.
Proverbs 14:26 – “Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.” (NLT)
Dear Heavenly Father,
How we need Your wisdom to live our lives here on earth as lights of the world! We need to empty ourselves of us, and we pray for the filling of Your Holy Spirit in us.
We can’t do life without You, Jesus. We pray You will show us the way, and help us make the decisions that we need to that will glorify You and draw others to You. We want to live wisely, and know the only way to do that is to stay close to You and to be in Your Word daily so we can hear from You.
I pray for unity in our world today, Jesus; for love to reign. As we speak and interact with others this week, may we do so with love, respect and kindness. Help us to be a blessing and not a hindrance in someone’s life.
In Jesus’s name.
Amen.
Lord, Help our country to become unified. Help us all to show love & not anger. Heal our land & turn people to you. Thank you for your love & kindness to me. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
June 1, 2020
Amen