Intro: I am sitting quietly this morning and praying for the Word and the Spirit to guide me deeper into the Truth. I want God to increase my understanding of the miraculous works of His love, what it looks like from His perspective to really love my neighbor, and how I must love myself in a way that pleases Him—every area of my life needs to grow in wisdom [applied Truth]. To love God, my neighbor, and myself is to be attentive to God’s work of bringing wholeness to my soul; to allow a great conformity to His image [nature/character], so I can live authentically for His glory. I will always need to grow and, by acknowledging my need, I know God will be faithful to provide. Do you find yourself, today, with a desire for more of God’s wisdom operating in your life?
Let’s remember, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—learning to live in the Light. Living in the fear of the Lord is more than an attitude of respect, it is an obedient choice to live in Christ and reflect the Light of His wisdom. Simply practicing a religion will not position us on the righteous path toward wisdom. We need Jesus—who has been made wisdom for us—and we need to follow Him along the narrow way—the ongoing route of godly wisdom.
So, our passage today from the Book of Wisdom helps us understand: 1) we must all start on the same foundation of a relationship with Christ, and 2) our lives will all be governed by Christ’s boundaries of love based on what God has already declared in His Word. Jesus is the Living Word. Evil has no authority over the life of a believer, therefore, we cannot give it room in the inn of our hearts. Otherwise, we are inviting suffering into our lives rather than blessing. Wisdom helps us become quick learners with vision to change direction, because we can all find ourselves wandering off toward our unrighteous and selfish inclinations. The seeds of wisdom help us from the time of childhood all the way through adulthood; everyone needs godly wisdom or we will quickly find ourselves supporting what is worldly rather than what is righteous before God.
Proverbs 22:1-6 AMP
1
A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;
And favor [grace] is better than silver and gold.
2
The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
3
A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],
But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].
4
The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Is riches, honor, and life [eternal].
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them];
He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Prayer: Lord, help us to live with integrity, so we may enjoy your beautiful grace each day. May your wisdom protect us from evil and the consequences of sin. Holy Spirit, help us to teach the younger generations about you by sharing our lives and the things we have learned. In Jesus’ name. Amen.