Bible Pathway - July 22, 2011
Read Proverbs 8
Highlights:
We're admonished to praise wisdom and avoid folly. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (Holy is plural in Hebrew and refers to God as in Elohim) is understanding (Prov. 9:10). Wisdom, the fear of God, and righteousness is contrasted with folly, sin, and wickedness (chaps. 10-11).
Although God can do all things, He has given us a part to do. The supreme principle in spiritual service is to cooperate with our Creator. We often hear people say: "I believe God can do it," yet they make no effort to do what they can. God promised the Israelites manna but they had to pick up a certain amount each day — no more or less. Some gathered too much and it bred worms (Ex. 16:20). If an Israelite stayed in his tent, God did not place his portion at his doorstep. Paul chose to pray three times to be healed, but God chose to respond with more grace to sustain him in his suffering (II Cor. 12:8-9).
This was also the Lord's principle concerning the manna: He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack (Ex. 16:18). Paul quoted this principle when he exhorted those who had gathered much to share their abundance to meet the need of those who had gathered little (II Cor. 8:14-15).
Some of us have proved by experience the preciousness of this fact. This principle is also true of The True Bread from heaven (John 6:32) — Christ and His Word. It is a privilege to be able to help our brethren in the Lord. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. . . . for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (II Cor. 9:6-8). When we share the Word of God and give our resources for those who gather little, God sees to it that we gather much; but if instead we think merely of our own selves, the very most we can hope for is to gather little.
What a precious treasure God has entrusted to us! His Word is delivered not by angels, but by and through ordinary Christians who will pay the price of giving themselves to help others. My friend, don't you think that the Lord would want you to influence some of your loved ones and friends to read the Bible — to encourage America to read all His Word? Freely ye have received, freely give (Matt. 10:8).
Thought for Today:
He that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully (Jer. 23:28).
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator who prepared the heavens (Prov. 8:27-31). The heavens are the works of Thine hands (Heb. 1:10, John 1:3).
Word Studies:
8:12 of witty inventions, with wise insight; 8:29 his decree, its boundary; 9:7 getteth himself a blot, gets insults in return; 10:1 heaviness, grief, shame; 10:4 slack, negligent, lazy; 10:8 prating fool, self-sufficient know-it-all; 11:6 naughtiness, wickedness.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Officials: Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), Rep. John Larson (CT) and Rep. Steve LaTourette (OH) • Country: Peru (26 million) on the western coast of South America • Major languages: Spanish and Quechua • Open to evangelism and Bible distribution • 90% Christian; 8% non-Religious/Other; 1.2% Traditional ethnic; .3% Buddhist; .09% Baha'i; .02% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Cry out to God in humility (Ps. 9:12).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 34:3
