Would you describe yourself as having a teachable spirit—willing to learn, grow, and be led by the Holy Spirit? People in our culture certainly put a lot of emphasis on gaining knowledge, but in Scripture that word knowledge has to do with the ability to grasp the big picture—experientially gain spiritual truths, desire righteous moral principles, and understand the pure nature of God. We learned early in our study, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Pro 1:7).
Biblical knowledge makes life meaningful, because it brings peace, joy, and satisfaction. The Lord helps us look at life circumstances in a more positive way, motivates us to share acts of love, treasure our relationships, and treat others with respect. We may lose our material belongings, but we cannot lose these works of “knowledge” when we have the Lord. Our knowledge of righteousness is with us always, because the Spirit dwells with us.
In our passage today from Chapter 24, Solomon urges his son to remain teachable in the knowledge of the Lord. Adversity will come to every life, so God’s people must stay strong in faith and character. It is during times of adversity where our character is forged and our faith is tested. There is a battle between good and evil. Do we really believe the things we proclaim about God? Is he still Good when we face challenges and devastating news? Every day may be the training ground for bigger battles, but the battle belongs to the Lord. Our part is to persevere and gain Wisdom while we can…
Proverbs 24 NLT
1
Don’t envy evil people
or desire their company.
2
For their hearts plot violence,
and their words always stir up trouble.
3
A house is built by wisdom
and becomes strong through good sense.
4
Through knowledge its rooms are filled
with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
5
The wise are mightier than the strong,
and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
6
So don’t go to war without wise guidance;
victory depends on having many advisers.
7
Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.
8
A person who plans evil
will get a reputation as a troublemaker.
9
The schemes of a fool are sinful;
everyone detests a mocker.
10
If you fail under pressure,
your strength is too small.
11
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
save them as they stagger to their death.
12
Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
13
My child, eat honey, for it is good,
and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
14
In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a bright future,
and your hopes will not be cut short.
15
Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
and don’t raid the house where the godly live.
16
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
17
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
18
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
19
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.
20
For evil people have no future;
the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21
My child, fear the Lord and the king.
Don’t associate with rebels,
22
for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
from the Lord and the king?
More Sayings of the Wise
23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:
It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24
A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25
But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
rich blessings will be showered on them.
26
An honest answer
is like a kiss of friendship.
27
Do your planning and prepare your fields
before building your house.
28
Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause;
don’t lie about them.
29
And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me!
I’ll get even with them!”
30
I walked by the field of a lazy person,
the vineyard of one with no common sense.
31
I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.
It was covered with weeds,
and its walls were broken down.
32
Then, as I looked and thought about it,
I learned this lesson:
33
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
34
then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us experience the truth of Wisdom and grow in righteous living according to your principles as we learn from your loving nature. We all face different kinds of adversity, but each challenge calls us to grow in our devotion; otherwise, we will fall into despair. We know you will be faithful to guide us toward good things, so we thank you for the goodness that is being prepared for your sons and daughters who are led by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.