Proverbs

Read Chapter 2 of Proverbs

Today, we start a journey through the book of Proverbs.  If you saw my message yesterday at Arlington UMC, then you know I am, for the first time coordinating this weekday devotional and my sermon series.  For those who do not attend Arlington, but want to see the sermon, you can view it here:

One of the main threads that runs through Proverbs is the choice between wisdom and what we might call folly.  Those who seek wisdom and live according to it find many benefits and those who don’t find themselves insnared in many traps that cripple their ability to enjoy a healthy relationship with God and people.  Chapter 2, our reading for today speaks specifically to this truth about wisdom and folly.

                Some of the benefits are God’s protection, the experience of justice, and a fuller understanding of the ways of God.  In addition, the one who lives the wisdom of God is able to see a trap/deception as it presents itself and avoid it.  They find more joy and even when they encounter difficulty and pain, they have the resources to learn from those experiences. 

                Contrast that with what the chapter suggests about those who choose folly.  They don’t recognize a good thing when they have it and will leave that thing behind in pursuit of something “better.”  It’s not that they don’t have God’s protection; they reject it.  It’s not that God doesn’t offer them wisdom; it’s that they don’t see the value of what’s been offered and make other, foolhardy choices instead. 

                It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition.  We all make some choices that move us towards wisdom and its benefits and other choices that move us toward folly and undesirable consequences.  Today, I invite us to revisit some of those choices (good and bad) that we have made. 

Questions: What good things have come because you made a choice from the wisdom made available to you from God?  What unfortunate things have happened because you ignored that same wisdom?

Prayer:  Lord, help us see the wisdom You offer and integrate our life and choices with  that wonderful gift.  Save us from the pitfalls of folly.  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for teachers and students as they begin a new year. 

Song:  Desparado – Eagles