See, I Told You So!

Scripture: My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair―every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.  Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse. Proverbs 2:1-12 NIV

Observation: Wise King Solomon instructs on the necessity to protect yourself through diligent study and understanding.

Application: Yesterday I wrote about the wise man Solomon falling away in his last years through the influences of his wives.  I felt that even with all of his wisdom and understanding when his “true self,” his sinful nature, reigned he fell to temptation. I further hypothesized that he was easily tempted because he did not take his own instruction; his instruction from Proverbs 2.  If he had focused and diligently sought the Lord it would have protected him from falling to sin. Staying in the word is key for all of us too. If we study God’s word and seek its understanding we will protect ourselves from inside and outside influences.

Prayer: Father, I ask you once again to put within me the desire to always want to learn more about you. I know that it is through studying your word that I will grow in understanding and ultimately find protection from myself and my selfish desires. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Doug