Read Proverbs 1
Highlights:
Fear of God — the beginning of wisdom; necessity of searching for wisdom; importance of trusting in the Lord.
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? (Prov. 1:22).
The simple ones are not the ignorant, but rather those who permit their natural desires for self-pleasure to become the motivating force in their lives. Over a period of time, it seems the simple ones become scorners — more set in their disinterest for the Truth. Because of their unwillingness to search for Truth, they eventually become hardened in sin and hate knowledge. Then God calls them fools. Those who reject the Word of God are destined to walk down this path. If they had accepted His Word, it would have softened their hearts, they would have repented, and walked on a different path. However, they chose to walk their own way. The apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts (Jude 1:17-18).
Those who reject the Word of God do not heed the warning that would awaken them to the fear of God. Since they ignore His Word, it cannot deliver them. Tragically, destruction cometh as a whirlwind (Prov. 1:27), and then it is too late to reverse their destiny.
How terrifying to think of the eternal damnation of all who hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord (1:29). They will be haunted throughout eternity by the fact that by their own choice, they will be forever separated from the love of God. This was not God's choice, but their choice to go their own way instead of following God. Scripture clearly tells us that as we continually follow after God and His Word that the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly (2:6-7).
God's will has always been that all would accept His love and walk in its ways. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Pet. 3:9).
God has established a fixed principle and promise in connection with spiritual wisdom: For whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have (Luke 8:18).
Thought for Today:
Truth that is known and not acted upon eventually brings hardness of heart.
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator who founded the earth . . . He established the heavens (Prov. 3:19). All things were created by Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2-3).
Word Studies:
1:4 give subtilty to the simple, impart insight (prudence) to the teachable; 1:11 lurk privily, wait secretly; 1:28 early, diligently; 2:1 hide . . . with thee, receive and treasure My Commandments in your heart; 2:7 buckler, a shield used in hand-to-hand combat; 2:12 froward, opposed to God; 2:16 strange woman, adulteress; 3:26 thy foot from being taken, your life from all danger.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Lt. Col. Walter and Penny Swanson • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Official: Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (MD) • Country: Moldova (4.3 million) southeastern Europe • Major languages: Rumanian and Russian • Limited religious freedom • 66% Russian/Romanian Orthodox; 2.5% Catholic (Greek and Roman); 1.7% Protestant (mainly Baptist); 1.5% Jewish; .2% Muslim; 28.1% Agnostic/Atheist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Ps. 30:4).
Optional Reading: Titus 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:8