Bible Pathway - July 22
Read Proverbs 8 – 11
Highlights:
The pre-creation activities of Christ are intermingled with the voice of wisdom as evidenced in I Corinthians 1:24 and Colossians 2:3. We're admonished to praise wisdom and avoid folly. Don't miss 9:10-11. A wealth of truth is found in Chapters 10 & 11 contrasting wisdom, the fear of God, and righteousness with folly, sin, and wickedness.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. For by Me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased (Prov. 9:10-11).
Many see the word fear in the scriptures and they have no real understanding of what it means. You might even have had someone ask you if they should be afraid of God. In some ways, the answer is yes.
Unbelievers should be afraid for their souls. If they do not make the decision to accept the free gift of salvation through Christ, they will one day face the judgment of God. All opportunities will then be gone. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).
The believer in Christ has a different kind of fear of the Lord. As long as we live in Christ, we need not have a fear of eternal damnation. Our fear of the Lord is an act of giving Him the reverence He deserves. Our God should be the most respected, loved and praised being in this world. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb. 12:28).
There are many who give the Lord no respect. They live their lives as if they will live forever and never stand before God to give account of their actions. Many of these are atheists or agnostics. However, others claim to believe in God and still live irresponsibly.
The writer credits those who “fear” the Lord. There is wisdom and understanding to be found in these actions. This makes sense, because as we draw closer to the Lord we grow spiritually. The Holy Spirit is given the opportunity to work more freely in us, giving us better discernment to make right decisions. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:14).
This closer relationship to God should also draw us into a richer study life of the Word of God. The Lord would have each of us to be students of His Word. This deeper study of the Bible should also help us to have better wisdom and understanding.
There is a promise that comes with obedience to these instructions. The writer says our lifetime shall be increased. This does not necessarily mean a longer life, but it means that we will live a much fuller life in Christ. Wisdom, understanding and a fuller life in Christ can be ours all for doing something that should come naturally to the believer. Let's give God reverence.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance (Acts 2:28).
Thought for Today:
Guard your mouth for it has the power to bless and the power to hurt.
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 Suggestion: Be glad in the Lord and rejoice at all times (Ps. 32:11).
Optional Reading: Titus 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:9
