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Proverbs 4:6 - Avoiding Spiritual Disaster.Proverbs 4:6 (NKJV) Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.Proverbs 4:6 (NIV) Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. INTRODUCTION If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it. This will take resolve - a determination not to abandon the search once you begin, no matter how difficult the road may become. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime step but a daily process of choosing between two paths - the wicked (4:14-17, 19) and the righteous (4:18). Nothing is more important or more valuable. ... We should also make God's wisdom our first choice. We don't have to wait for God to appear to us. We can boldly ask him for wisdom today through prayer. James 1:5 assures us that God will grant our request. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARLS "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom," he wrote, "and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her." Proverbs 3:13-18. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 111:10. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." Proverbs 8:13. PK34 True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information it values power; above power, goodness; above intellectual acquirements, character. The world does not so much need men of great intellect as of noble character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled by steadfast principle. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom." "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright." Proverbs 4:7; 15:2. True education imparts this wisdom. It teaches the best use not only of one but of all our powers and acquirements. Thus it covers the whole circle of obligation - to ourselves, to the world, and to God. Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous; never before were young men and young women confronted by perils so great as confront them today. ED225 COMMENTARY Crows are said to be as intelligent as a seven-year-old human and have even outwitted chimpanzees. For up to two years, crows will remember people who have fed them, and they are even known to give gifts to humans. Crows are a symbol of wisdom in many parts of the world. There is a way for humans to gain far greater wisdom than crows. We can ask the Lord for it! The Bible tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God ... and it will be given him" (James 1:5). Once we ask God for wisdom, we are counseled by King Solomon to "not forsake her." He had the regrettable experience of casting off the Lord's wisdom and following in the ways of idolatry. His unfaithfulness caused spiritual disaster for his household and the entire Israelite nation. Likewise, when we cast off the wisdom God gives us, it can have severe consequences for our family and friends. When we follow God's precepts, we are promised that "she will preserve you" and if you "love her, ... she will keep you." The only safety net in life is to follow the wisdom the Lord has given us in His Word. It is our guide, protector, and companion. When followed, it will safely lead us through the narrow, rocky path of this life to the shiny, pearly gates of heaven. And there we will always be with our wise and loving Creator. Today, ask the Lord to give you wisdom. Then cling to it; "do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you." By obeying today's command, you will save yourself much heartache. Wise Father, thank You for giving me Your wisdom. Help me never to forsake it but to cling to You. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] WISDOM: Just Get It. Proverbs chapter 4 is filled with the repeated exhortation "do not forsake" wisdom. The message is clear: Never, ever give up in your pursuit of wisdom. Do absolutely anything to get it, whatever it costs you. Why? Because it is more costly to not have it. You will make decisions that lead to one difficulty and disaster after another. So do whatever it takes. Already we have seen some of what that entails: identification of your heart trusts, immersion in and obedience to the Word of God, friendships and openness to critique, patient learning in adversity, and personal involvement in real service to others, especially the most needy. These must be practiced reflectively through long experience, within a community of people seeking the same wisdom. They will lead to knowing God, knowing yourself, knowing the human heart and its ways, and knowing the times and seasons. And your decisions and choices will become wiser. We can paraphrase verse 7 like this: "Here's how you get wisdom: Just get it!" Wisdom comes not to the most fortunate or intelligent but to those most determined to find it. How determined are you to get wisdom - really? Lord, I have set my heart on wisdom, but I confess that my spiritual resolve in the past has often flagged. My will is weak. So, to help me seek wisdom, capture my heart with a vivid view of Jesus setting his face to go up to Jerusalem to die for me (Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:31). Amen. [God's Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller] ILLUSTRATION The Coal Miner When I was a son with my father ... he taught me and said: "Your heart must hold on to my words." Proverbs 4:3-4 Some of you reading these lines may not have had the benefits of a good or extensive education. You may be deficient in your knowledge of many things. But here is the encouraging thing - none of these issues are important when it comes to the matter of defeating Satan. I remember being present some years ago in a church in South Wales when a debate was held between a university professor and an ordinary coal miner. The subject was: "Is the Bible true?" The university professor presented his arguments in a clear fashion, and I remember feeling quite sorry for the miner as I imagined some of the difficulties he might face when making his reply. After the professor had finished, the miner stood to his feet. And for over an hour, I witnessed one of the most amazing demonstrations of the Holy Spirit at work that I have ever seen in my life. The miner began by asking everyone to bow their heads as he prayed a prayer which went something like this: "Lord, I have not had much education, but You know that I love Your Word and have spent my life searching its pages. Help me now to say something that will convince my friends here that Your Word is true." He then proceeded to demolish the arguments of the professor simply by quoting appropriate Scriptures without making even a simple comment. When he finished, there was thunderous applause. The professor's well-articulated, highly intellectual arguments had been torn to pieces by the sharp edges of the sword of the Spirit - by that and by that alone. O Father, the more I hear, the more I want to hear. For I was created by Your Word, designed according to Your Word, and I can never remain content until I am indwelt with Your Word. Teach me even more. In Jesus' name. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotionals] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Proverbs 1:7 - Knowledge Begins with Respect and Reverence for God. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240302-0821.html Matthew 7:24 - Build Your Life on Christ and His Word. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240604-0950.html Hebrews 4:12 - Power Greater Than Nuclear. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240529-1122.html Psalm 119:130 - The Book for Eternal Life. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230612-0911.html 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Delusions from Rejecting Truth. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051114-0830.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |