Readings for today: Proverbs 1-3, Psalms 148
Life fundamentally boils down to a choice. Will we follow our ways or will we follow God’s ways? Will we live according to our own wisdom or will we live according to God’s wisdom? Tragically, humanity seems “hell-bent” on following her own wisdom which is why for every step forward, we seem to take two steps back. Yes, we’ve made incredible progress technologically but we’ve made little to no progress when it comes to character. Corruption, deceit, selfishness, violence, greed, etc. are as prevalent as ever. We attack, dehumanize, demonize, and disparage those with whom we disagree. We divide, split, and fracture so easily, cutting off relationships one after the other. We have met the enemy and he is us. He or she is the person looking back at us in the mirror. Generation after generation seems locked on an endless cycle of “wash, rinse, repeat.”
Now imagine I told you there was a book you could read that would teach you how to live righteously? How to live with justice and integrity? How to gain knowledge and understanding in our world? Would you want to read it? Memorize it? Put it into practice? I imagine most of us would say, “Of course!” Well, there is such a book. It’s called Proverbs and it contains the sayings of one of the wisest people to have ever lived. King Solomon wrote these words with the hope that his children - and really all God’s children - would follow them and put them into practice. He wanted God’s people to chart a different course in this world than the rest of humanity. He understood that the world’s ways were played out. The best of human wisdom had failed. People needed something more and thankfully, God was there to provide. Listen to how he states the purpose of the book, “For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man — let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance — for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:2-7 CSB) Wisdom and discipline. These two things are in such short supply in our world which is why we find ourselves in such a mess. And God loves us too much to leave us in our broken condition so He sends His Spirit to inspire Solomon to write these words so we can learn wisdom and discipline and begin to live the way He designed us to live.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB) What does it mean to love God with all your heart? It means acknowledging Him in all our ways. It means submitting our entire lives to Him. It means surrendering all our wants, needs, and desires to Him and trusting Him to know what’s best for us. How do we do that? Here’s where Solomon gets very practical. He not only tells us what not to do but he tells us what to do as well. Don’t engage in violence and theft and dishonesty. Instead be a person of peace and contentment and integrity. Don’t seek to tear others down or slander another person’s character or entertain envy or jealousy. Instead seek the good of others, believe the best of others, and celebrate the success of others. As we put Solomon’s words into practice, we can be sure God will fulfill His promise to us. “The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous; He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but he holds up fools to dishonor.” (Proverbs 3:33-35 CSB)
Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 4-6, Psalms 149 (No devotionals on Sundays)