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Day 24: The world is passing away, and all the things that people want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever. (1 John 2:17).

Change is always inevitable and all the things that are desires of people in the earthly realm are dying off as well. However whoever does what God wants will live forever

What Does 1 John 2:17 Mean? ►

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:17(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

Man’s viewpoint of the world is very different from God’s perspective. Man likes to think that everything is going to continue on as it has in bygone days, but God has purposed that the world with all it passions and lusts is passing away and will one day be folded-up like a blanket.

The world is indeed passing away and its seasonal fading and fall are replaced when new-growth springs up – as a perpetual reminder that the heaven and earth is finite but will one day be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth, which should become our prime viewpoint.

Similarly the vain pursuits of this world and the deceptive pleasures of the life we once ‘enjoyed’, will perish in our memories with the ever-increasing march of time as we discover them to be passing vanities.

The wise man does not endeavour to grab hold of what he cannot keep but clings to that which will continue into the eternal ages to come and the virtuous woman does not seek to satisfy her passing fancies but looks to discover the will of God and to develop His wider perspective.

The riches and poverty, pleasures and passion, beauty and bitterness, fame and shame of this perishing world are transitory, but the things of the Lord are permanent, pure, good, secure and of everlasting worth. The lust of the flesh and the pride of life are futile and false, but the things of God will last forever. His love will never fail, His promises are everlasting, and His truth will endure throughout all generations.

Let us beware, for the passing cravings of this life can subtly allure us away from God’s permanent path of purity and His secure way of wisdom, rather let us set out hearts on the things of God, for the one that looks away from the world to Jesus, will never be disappointed

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/1-john-2-17

What does 1 John 2:17 mean?

Verse 17 concludes John’s condemnation of worldly thinking. John notes that this world is temporary. The world is temporary for each person, since every person dies. The physical earth is also temporary, since God will make a new earth in the end (Revelation 21—22). As a result, the desires of this world are also temporary. Believers are to resist evil desires, following the example of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11).

This is the only place where the apostle John mentions the “will of God.” However, this phrase has a rich usage in the New Testament. Jesus stated, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). Romans 8:27 notes, “the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 12:2 adds, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.” Doing God’s will or desires is to be the goal of the believer.

Doing God’s will cannot save us, of course—no good works can overcome our sin. We are saved by Christ’s sacrifice, when we put our trusting faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8–9). However, a natural outcome of salvation is a desire to do God’s will (Ephesians 2:10). This is a hallmark of the believer, and only the believer will live with God forever. More immediately, John is explaining that a life lived in fellowship with God will go on forever, while earthly things will someday be gone.

Context Summary

First John 2:15–17 is a warning from John about un-Christian attitudes. Other portions of this chapter discuss how behavior provides evidence of fellowship with God. Here, John explains that thoughts and desires do the same thing. Since these are temptations, it is possible for a true Christian to stumble into them. However, habitually displaying these is a cause for concern. Loving “the world” is defined here as physical lusts, lusts in one’s thoughts, and arrogant pride.

Chapter Context

Chapter 2 explains the fellowship Christians have with God. Christ is our advocate, even when we sin. Christians are not to love things of the world, or to love the world. Instead, we are to live, love, and act like Christ. False teachers, and those who deny Jesus are called ”liars.” Those who demonstrate a Christ-like behavior are ”born of” God

VERSE OF THE DAY

Galatians 2:20 (New Living Translation)

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My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

My old self has died by crucifixion on the cross with Christ’s death on the cross. It is no longer I who live, but Christ now lives within me. So I live a new life in Christ in this shell of a body by trusting in the Son, Jesus who saved me, loved me and gave his life for me. I live by faith obedient and devoted to Christ.

What Does Galatians 2:20 Mean? ►

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 2:20(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

The death, burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, are the critical elements of salvation. Nothing but faith in the Person and Work of Jesus is sufficient to reconcile us back to God and save us from our sin. The key truths of the gospel are believing that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures. Jesus was born into the race that He Himself created, in order to pay the price for our sin – a price we could never pay.

When we are saved by faith, we are positioned IN Christ. We are taken from being in Adam’s fallen race and transferred into Christ’s Body – a new creation in HIM. We are identified with all that He is and all that He has done. As well as being saved by Christ’s death we are also identified with His death. “I have been crucified with Christ”, Paul writes. My old, fleshly self was crucified with Jesus when He died on the cross. My old sin nature, which my Bible calls my ‘old man’ was crucified with Jesus.

Just as I am a physical seed of Adam’s physical race and was effectively IN Adam when he sinned in the garden of Eden, (imputing me with sin and thus making me a sinner), in the same way I am a spiritual seed of Christ’s spiritual race, and was positionally IN Christ when He died on the Cross of Calvary, 2000 years ago. Being the spiritual seed of Christ, I am imputed with His righteousness, making me, “the righteousness of God in Christ” – by faith.

My death in Christ means that the old ME, the old SELF, the old SIN NATURE – the OLD MAN, died in Christ, at Calvary when Jesus died on the Cross. The old ‘ME’ died at the Cross and severed all the connections I had with my old, Adamic sin nature. By faith, I am part of a new creation, in Christ, which means that death no longer has power over me – nor does sin, or Satan, or the Law, for I am dead to sin, dead to the Law, dead to self, and dead to Satan. OH! – while I live in this fallen body, my sinful nature lusts against my new life in Christ, BUT I am no longer a slave to sin and under the curse of the Law, because Christ has set me free! Hallelujah!

But it also means that when Christ rose from the dead, I was also identified with His Resurrection – I also rose into newness of life, with a NEW nature – a Christlike nature. Because of my identity with Christ’s Resurrection, I became part of a new creation in Christ. I left my identity in Adam behind, the moment I was saved. NOW I am identified with Christ’s resurrected life. Just as His death became my death, so His resurrected life became my new, born-again life – my new, eternal life in Christ.

It is for this glorious reason that I can say with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I have the new, born-again, resurrected life of Christ living in me.

The Holy Spirit of the resurrected Christ indwells my mortal body, so that although I remain in this perishable body of flesh and blood, I live by faith in the Son of God – so that it is not I that lives but Christ that lives in ME – Christ, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Because of my faith in Him, I will one day exchange this perishable body for an imperishable one. This is sown a perishable body of flesh and blood, which will one day be raised an imperishable body of flesh and bone – a body like unto HIS glorious body.

Paul writes at length of the glorious exchange that occurs in all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. A body, sown in dishonour, is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness but raised in power. It is sown a natural body but raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there must also be a spiritual body. While the first man, Adam, became a living soul, the last Adam – Jesus Christ, became a life-giving spirit.

This is the biggest mystery revealed to the believer. The moment I trusted the Son of God as Saviour, my new life in Christ was born and the old sin nature in Adam (a link and heritage from my earthly parentage), was nailed to the Cross. The old man was crucified in Christ and severed at that point.

However, the nature of that old, fleshly, self-life, will remain throughout my entire life-walk. That old sin nature will remain in bitter rivalry with my new life in Christ, which must grow in grace and mature in the knowledge of Jesus. The old man, which was severed at the Cross, is crucified, and yet continues to unleash its assaults against the new life in Christ, which was born from above and lives forevermore.

The root of the old sin nature, sucks its strength from worldly desires and fleshly ego. It ‘lusts’ against the new life, which through re-creation is dead to the world and dead to the law, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Saviour. How dearly does my new life need to grow in grace, but how impossible in my own strength to combat the lust of the eye, and the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life!

But God in His wisdom and grace, did not leave my new life in Christ to overcome alone. It is by faith that the world is overcome. It is by faith that the flesh is overcome, and it is by faith that the devil is overcome. When I was baptised into Christ, as His newly born-again child, God sent His eternal, permanently indwelling, life-giving Holy Spirit, to become my life-Guide and my soul-Helper.

It is as I submit to His gracious leading and gentle guidance, that sin is mortified, and grace is quickened. The more I respond to His gracious leading and gentle guidance the more I can say, “I live, and yet not I, but Christ lives in me”, for it is His Spirit that communes with my human spirit. He is the Source that is leading and guiding my new-life in Christ in the things that I say, and the way that I behave.

The more we die to self, the more we live for Him, until with Paul we will be able to say, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/galatians-2-20

What does Galatians 2:20 mean?

This much-loved verse is quoted, printed, and repeated often, most especially the first half of this statement. This is also Paul’s grandest declaration yet about what exactly happens when someone is saved or justified by placing their faith in Christ. In a very real sense, Paul’s argument is that we become so closely attached to Him that we die with Him and He begins to live in us. Paul has been emphasizing that faith, and faith alone, is what saves us—adding any requirement of good deeds or rituals is contrary to the gospel (Galatians 1:8–9; 2:16).

Christ was crucified for our sin. By faith, we trust that His death paid for our own personal sin. In that way, we are crucified with Him, our sin with him on the cross. That sinful “us” dies, replaced by the resurrected Christ “in us.” We continue to live in the flesh, of course, but our lives are now directed not by our sinful selves but by our faith in Christ. Paul expands on this great truth powerfully in Romans 6:1–6.

For the first time, Paul mentions Jesus’ motive for giving Himself for us: love. Christ died for us because He loves us. Unlike the unyielding system of the law, Christ is a person motivated by His love and concern for us.

Context Summary

Galatians 2:15–21 contains Paul’s grand statements about the difference between faith in Christ and following the law. Nobody can be justified in God’s eyes by the works of the law, but only by faith in Christ. To believe in Christ is to be crucified with Him and to have Him replace your sinful self in you. Paul now lives by faith in the Son of God. More, Jesus gave himself for Paul’s sin because He loved him. To say that a person can be made righteous by the law is to say that Jesus died for nothing.

Chapter Summary

Paul holds a crucial meeting with the other apostles. Do they preach, as he does, that salvation can only be found through faith in Christ and not by following the law? He learns that they do, though ”false brothers” in their midst are opposed to this gospel of God’s grace. After receiving official approval from Peter and the others, Paul later opposes Peter for publicly trying to distance himself from Gentile Christians out of fear of how others might respond. Paul declares that justification comes only through faith in Christ and not by the works of the law.

Day 22: I will make you my faithful bride. Then you will really know the Lord. (Hosea 2:20).

Hosea 2:20

New Living Translation

20 

I will be faithful to you and make you mine,

    and you will finally know me as the Lord.

I will respect you in all knowledge and will be loyal and devoted to you calling you my own and you will finally know me as the Lord

Hosea 2:20

• Bible / Our Library / Bible Commentaries / John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible / Hosea / Hosea 2 / Hosea 2:20

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• Hosea 2:19 Hosea 2:21

Hosea 2:20

I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness

Which lies in keeping the marriage contract inviolable; Christ will never suffer his faithfulness to fail, nor break his covenant; as he is faithful to his Father that appointed him, so he is, and will be, to his church and people, and to every believer, to whom he is espoused; and it is he that makes them faithful unto him, and gives them faith to believe in him, receive, embrace, own, and acknowledge him as their husband: and in this sense some understand it, rendering it, “in faith” {z}; so the Targum and others. This is the third time the word “betroth” is used, or this promise made; which, according to Jerome, refers to them espousing of the Jews in Abraham, at Mount Sinai, and in the times of Christ; and, according to Kimchi, to the three captivities of the Jews, in Egypt, in Babylon, and that in which they now are: and some Christian writers think the mystery of the Trinity is here pointed at; and the sense to be, that all the three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, would espouse them: but rather it is so often repeated to confirm it, and express the certainty of it, which might, on many accounts, seem a thing incredible. And thou shall know the Lord;

that the Messiah is Jehovah, and that he is their husband; they shall all know him, from the least to the greatest; they shall have a saving knowledge of him, which will issue in eternal life; they shall own him, and acknowledge him, serve and obey him, as their Lord, Head, and Husband, as well as love him, and believe in him. The Targum is,

“and ye shall know to fear before the Lord;”

see ( Jeremiah 31:34 ) . Let it be observed, here are no conditions throughout, it is only “I will”, and “thou shalt”.

FOOTNOTES:

F26 (hnwmab) “in fide”, V. L. &c.

• Hosea 2:19 Hosea 2:21

Read Hosea 2:20

Verse 20

Hosea 2:20

I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord.

The husband of the Church

I. The condescension of Christ in calling Himself the husband of His church. This appears if we consider that–

1. She is a debtor.

2. Deformed (Isaiah 1:6).

3. A prostitute (Jeremiah 3:1-2).

4. An enemy.

II. The properties of this relation.

1. Righteousness.

2. Judgment.

3. Loving-kindness.

4. Mercies.

5. For ever.

6. Faithfulness.

III. The experience she has of this relation. “Thou shalt know.” “Know” signifies–

1. To choose (Amos 3:2).

2. To delight in (Psalms 1:6).

3. To be familiar with (2 Samuel 3:25). (H. Foster.)

And thou shalt know the Lord.

Knowing Jehovah

We indeed see that we are in confusion as soon as we turn aside from the right and pure knowledge of God. Since then our salvation consists in the light of faith, our minds ought ever to be directed to God, that our union with Him, which He hath formed by the Gospel, may abide firm and permanent. But as this is not in the power or will of man, we draw this evident conclusion that God not only offers His grace in the outward preaching, but at the same time in the renewing of our hearts. It is necessary that God should work inwardly and efficaciously on our hearts, that His covenant may stand firm; nay, since the knowledge of Him is the special gift of the Spirit, we may with certainty conclude that what is said here refers not only to outward preaching, but that the grace of the Spirit is also joined, by which God renews us after His own image. The covenant of God can be strengthened and preserved only by the knowledge He conveys to us of Himself by the illumination of His Spirit. (John Calvin.)

Of the knowledge of God

There can be no cordial obedience to God by those who are ignorant of Him. Ignorance is not the mother of devotion, but the parent of superstition and idolatry. An unknown person cannot be truly and cordially loved.

I. Persons in a natural ann unregenerate state are destitute of Divine knowledge. (Acts 17:30.)

1. Sin has deprived us of communion with God, corrupted our nature, and darkened our understandings (Ephesians 4:18).

2. This ignorance is increased by a course of sinning.

3. There is many an affected ignorance which is very criminal. Men are unwilling to understand what they might. They love darkness rather than light.

4. Some are given up to judicial blindness and hardness of heart (Romans 1:28). Whilst men are in this state of darkness, they are ignorant–

II. In every regenerate person there is a knowledge of God and of Divine things. Observe–

1. The object of it–God.

III. The nature and properties of this knowledge.

1. It is practical. The mere theory of any science is of little avail.

2. It is of a soul-humbling nature. Other knowledge puffs up.

3. It is pleasant, savoury, and satisfying.

4. It is super-excellent.

5. It is but imperfect in this life, yet it is progressive. (T. Hannam.)

A sanctified knowledge of God

This passage teaches–

1. God is the undertaker for, and worker in His people of all that is required on their part for entering into, and keeping covenant with Him.

2. A right and sanctified knowledge of God is the root and companion of all sanctifying graces and covenant dispositions; therefore all are comprehended in this, to “know the Lord.” Faith gets that name, not only because of the certitude and evidence it brings with it, but because it is begotten by His Word, and by the knowledge of Him in it, and is cherished and confirmed by taking Him up still more, as He is revealed there. (George Hutcheson.)

“Thou shalt know the Lord”: the best knowledge

Luther described theology, the knowledge of God, as “the queen of the sciences.” And in comparison with it, all other knowledge is vain. “We have lost,” said Dr. Bennett, Bishop of Cloyne, to Dr. Parr, when announcing the death of John Cowper, brother of the poet, “the best classic and most liberal thinker in the university.” What said John Cowper himself in his dying hours? “I have laboured day and night to perfect myself in things of no profit. I have sacrificed myself to these pursuits, and am suffering the consequences of my mis-spent labour. I wanted to be highly applauded, and was flattered up to the height of my wishes. Now I must learn a new lesson.”

Do You Know Him?

Knowing Jesus starts by entering into a personal relationship with Him.



God, whose very nature is love, desires to have an intimate love relationship with His people. He wants us to experience the reality of His presence moment by moment in our lives: “I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me” (Hosea 6:6, TLB).

We begin to know and love God through personal revelation that comes to us by faith. This dawning of relationship takes place in our lives as we come to the light. Jesus is the Light. When we come to Him, we are enlightened. When we come to Him, we come to truth.

We come to know God. Jesus said, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him” (John 14:7, NASB).

Knowing about Jesus is not Christianity. Christianity is knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. It is knowing a fellowship with Him that results from the transforming work of the Spirit in the heart. It is heart knowledge, not head knowledge. It is possible to be a learned biblical scholar, skilled in theological debate, and still not be living in communion with Christ. God is not an idea to discuss. He is the reality we participate in.

We enter into the knowledge of God when we enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus tells us that without faith we cannot even see the Kingdom of God, much less enter it. “. . . unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . . . unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5, NASB).

I had been attending church for some time, participating in the rituals and routines of church life. Though I experienced no real fulfillment, I believed that this must be what it meant to be a Christian. If I was lacking in inner joy, I thought that was because I needed to work harder at it. Then one day, walking into the adult Sunday School class, my eyes became fixed on these words the teacher had written in bold letters on the chalkboard: CHRISTIANITY IS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

These simple, straightforward words impacted me like dawn breaking after a long, dark night.

I saw that I had been “playing church,” I had been involved with externals while Christianity is a matter of internals. I had been substituting ritual for relationship. I had no personal knowledge of God, no soul attachment to Him.

Soon after reading the message on the chalkboard, I reached out to Jesus in faith. He took my hand and guided my steps into the Kingdom. In the awe and beauty of that moment I came to know God. Thereafter, life, both in the church and out in the world, took on fresh vibrance and rich meaning, for it was new life—life lived in the personal, vital awareness of God.

Jesus issues an invitation to all the world: “Come to the light. Enter the knowledge. Cross over into the Kingdom. Abide in Me.” A wondrous thing happens when we accept Jesus’ invitation and open our lives to His touch. A miracle occurs. We are given a new heart that loves God; a new spirit that communes with God; and a renewed mind that is open and receptive to spiritual truth—a mind eager to learn from the counsel of wise Christians, and a mind that delights in studying the Scriptures. Mysteriously, Jesus Himself, within us, is our Teacher, Counselor, and Guide.

As we learn to recognize His voice and listen to Him we are freed from self-centeredness and conformity to the world. We are transformed. Christ becomes the center of life and life is flooded with hope and gladness. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2, NASB).

The words “to know” as used in the Bible mean far more than “to be acquainted with.”

Biblically “to know” also signifies the intimate union between husband and wife, the two who are made one. God has chosen to use the illustration of marriage to describe the love relationship between Himself and His people. “Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord” (Hosea 2:19-20, NASB).

In the New Testament, the Church is referred to as “the Bride of Christ.” The Bride-Bridegroom relationship is one of love, fulfillment, intimacy, and joy. It is also a relationship wherein each participant lays down his own separate life for the other. Jesus gave His life for His Bride, the Church. “. . . Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25, NASB).

As the Bride, our entry into personal union with Christ also involves laying down our lives for Him. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20, NASB).

To know Christ speaks of the mystery of divine union with Him, of the reception of Christ into the heart.

There is no greater joy than to be aware that He who is pure love is present within us.

As the light of His love enlightens the eyes of our heart, we become more lovely, loving God more and reaching out to others in love. As William Penn said, “Love is above all; and when it prevails in us all, we shall all be lovely and in love with God and one with another.”

Valkyrie Murphy was a free-lance writer and member of the Bend, Oregon Church of the Nazarene.

Originally published in the Herald of Holiness, February 15th, 1983.

Holiness Today, Jan/Feb 2019

Day 21: 40 Day Love Challenge

Day 21: The Lord will always lead you and satisfy your needs in dry lands. He will give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring that never goes dry. (Isaiah 58:11)

Isaiah 58:11

New Living Translation

11 

The Lord will guide you continually,

    giving you water when you are dry

    and restoring your strength.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

    like an ever-flowing spring.

The Lord will guide you in paths he sees fit for you giving you water to drink when you are parched restoring you in strength while you remain weak you shall be like well cared watered garden, like a overflowing spring producing enough water for all

What Does Isaiah 58:11 Mean? ►

“And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

The book of Isaiah is predominantly written to the people of Israel and takes them on the journey of God’s redemptive plan, where the increasingly apostate nation is called to repent of their sins and return to the Lord their God. They are reminded that a Messiah is coming, but unless they repent of their sin, their continuing apostasy would seal their exile from the land that was given to their forefather, Abraham.

Isaiah informs them of impending judgements that would soon fall on the nations of the world for their treatment of God’s people, but that God would also punish the errant kingdom of Israel for straying so far from Him. And as the book of Isaiah draws to a close, God also comforts His people with renewed promises of deliverance from their enemies, restoration to their land, and the arrival of God’s chosen Servant, Who will be sent to save His people from their sins. “The Lord will continually guide you,” is their wonderful promise. “The  Lord will satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones. You will be like a watered garden, and a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”

The truths of God’s never-failing faithfulness, that are contained in His redemptive plan for Israel are equally pertinent for the Church today. He will satisfy our hunger and thirst for righteousness. He will continually guide us in the way we should go, and teach us all things, through the power of the indwelling Spirit. He has gone to prepare a place for us and is coming back to take us to be with Himself and like Israel, we will be like a watered garden, from whom will flow rivers of living water.  In Christ, we will be like a spring of water whose waters never fail.

Like Israel, we have been delivered from the curse of the law, the bondage of sin, and its terrible wages. And like the remnant of believing Israel, we have already won the victory in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are reminded that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us, and that He who started a good work in us will complete it, in the day of Christ Jesus.

We are blessed to know that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will direct our way and govern our path. We are doubly blessed to know that the Spirit of God will guide us into all truth and lead us in the path of righteousness. We are held securely in the Father’s hand, and no-one is able to pluck us out of our Saviour’s keeping. Our parched soul has been revived and satisfied by the living water of life, which has become an inner spring of water, welling up into eternal life. Indeed, we know that we have a blessed hope and an eternal inheritance in Christ, that is kept for us in heaven.

Our loving heavenly Father has not only promised to lead us sometimes, or ofttimes, or even many times, or most times. He has promised to lead us and to guide us at ALL times and in ALL ways, through ALL places and throughout ALL the circumstances of life. He is not only there in the times of plenty and joy, but is our ever-present Helper though all our adversity, and He gently guides us when we are facing our most difficult days… when money is scarce and relationships fall apart, when loved ones pass on and threatening clouds of uncertainty blacken our skies. He has promised to be with us when life’s many pressures and problems seem to blot out our hope, “for I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you – cast ALL your cares on ME.”

He is not only the Provider of all our physical needs, but He is the Fountain of peace and pardon, the Well-spring of grace and strength, and His never-failing streams of salvation and security are ever flowing into the empty cup of the weary pilgrim. However far we have wandered from His loving arms, whenever we are burdened by the cares we are carrying… or whenever the concerns of others weigh heavily on our heart – His grace is sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Remember, He is not only with you in the parched and weary land, but He will guide you through all those scorched and burning places for a purpose – to draw you closer into His outstretched arms of love and to take you deeper into an undertaking of Who He truly is… until you can say with Job, “I have learned all about You Lord, but now I have come to a deeper understanding of Who You truly are – I have come to know You in a more intimate and precious way, than ever before.”

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/isaiah-58-11

Day 20: 40 Day Love Challenge

Day 20: Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6)

Romans 5:6

New Living Translation

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

What Does Romans 5:6 Mean? ►

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:6(ESV)

We are made in the image of God to be god fearing, but as humans we have been born sinners weak and ungodly helpless and unable to help ourselves living in wrongs of the worldly living against God and God saw trouble and death for us as man kind and at the right time Christ came and died to save us all the godly and ungodly alike

Verse Thoughts

Paul’s passion is to share the good news of justification by grace in simple steps, which gently lead to a conclusion. He explains that having been eternally saved by grace, we should glory in the trials and tribulations of life, which God uses to develop in us perseverance; a godly character and an unshakable and eternal hope in the loving promises of God

The precious promises of God are poured into our hearts by the Spirit and Paul cements his argument with the assurance that while we were weak and ungodly, without strength and without hope – Christ, the good and gracious God died for us – ungodly sinners who were dead in trespasses and sins.

Oh, what an astonishing contrast from our former selves is this glorious state of being in Christ. Our weakness is in opposition to His strength – our lack lies in contradistinction to His great bounty – our disinterested ungodliness starkly contrasts with His goodness, gracious, humility and deep, deep love.

God is never late but is always there at the right time; the best time; the needed time – His appointed time. And so, it was at the right time that Christ died. Some wonder why so long from the fall of Adam to the sacrifice of Christ? – but in God’s economy it was the right time for you and me and the right time for humanity as a whole.

How can we doubt His love, for He died for us when we were undesirable, unlovely and unlovable? But because of His great love He came as our representative man to be a pattern for our learning – living His life in the power of the Spirit to demonstrate how we too should live. 

Let us be comforted in our own lives when we desire His workings and it seems that He has delayed or is long overdue. In God’s economy He will act at the right time – the best time.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/romans-5-6

– Romans 5:6-11

Devotion

Christ died for the ungodly—those who actually were His enemies (on their part). We are all enemies of God until we are justified through faith in the person and work of Christ. God demonstrated the full scope of His redemption and love by having His Son die for the unrighteous. Jesus died for you and me. That is where God revealed His love. God does not save us by love. He saves us by grace because the guilt of sin has been removed by the death of Christ. As believers, we will escape God’s wrath, not because we are worthy, but because we have been saved by the grace of God. The fact that God hates sin does not make Him the enemy of sinners or seek their ill. His desire is for all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). This truth concerning God’s grace allows us to experience a joy that can only come from being right with God. Peace, grace and hope are all experienced because of this wonderful doctrine of justification by faith.

The Big Question

How does your faith in Jesus impact the here-and-now? How do the benefits of justification shape your life (peace with God, access to God’s grace, hope, love of God, triumph in troubles, God’s Spirit, deliverance from wrath and eternal joy)?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.

What does Romans 5:6 mean?

Paul, writing in the previous verse, urged his readers to be confident that our hope in God will never be disappointed or put to shame. Why? Because God loves us. More specifically, He has poured His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Paul pictures God’s love for us as something we carry with us all the time, not merely the feelings of a distant deity.

Now, in this and the following verses, Paul provides evidence of God’s love for us. First, Christ died for the ungodly, which Paul clearly defined in earlier passages as all of humanity (Romans 3:10, 23). This sacrifice was made while we were still weak, or “powerless,” or “helpless,” depending on the translation. This comes from the Greek word asthenōn, which implies something feeble or sickly. Nothing about us earned this salvation. It was entirely offered on the basis of God’s grace, and at just the right moment.

This huge idea is key to the good news—the gospel—which Paul preached all over the world. First, it shows that God, the Father, and Christ, the Son, are so closely connected that Christ dying for us is evidence of God’s love for us. Together with the Holy Spirit, mentioned in the previous verse, the three are mysteriously united as one God.

Second, God proved His love for us by acting first. He didn’t make arrangements with us ahead of time, or wait for us to become strong and godly and worthy of being saved. He loved us and took action to save us while we were still helpless to save ourselves because of our sin.

Third, God showed His power by sending Christ to die for us at exactly the right time. Jesus arrived, lived, died, and was resurrected at the moment in history when His action would accomplish the most good for God’s plan. God’s timing, too, was motivated by His love for all of us godless people.

Context Summary

Romans 5:1–11 describes the amazing benefits that come with being declared righteous before God by faith in Christ’s death for our sin. God has made peace with us. We stand in His grace, and we rejoice in the sure hope that we will share in His glory. Our suffering brings growth, which leads to even more potent hope. God has proven His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are saved from God’s wrath and reconciled to God in Christ.

Chapter Summary

Romans 5 begins by describing some of the benefits that come with being declared righteous by God because of our faith in Christ. We have peace with God, and we stand in His grace. We rejoice both in the hope of God’s glory and in our temporary suffering. We have hope that will not disappoint, because God has already proved His love for us. Paul then compares the work of Adam in bringing sin and death into the world with the work of Christ in dying for sin in order to offer God’s free gift of grace to all who believe

Day 19: 40 Day Love Challenge

Day 19: Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. (1 John 4:7).

1 John 4:7

New Living Translation

Loving One Another

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

What Does 1 John 4:7 Mean? ►

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7(ESV)

Verse Thoughts

Love is the source and the summation of righteousness and love is the new commandment that Christ gave His disciples as He prepared to leave them to be His witnesses upon the earth – love as I have loved you.

Love flows from the heart of God to us and love is to flow though us to others as we are filled and replenished with His love in our hearts. Love is the nature of God and from Him burst forth the fruit of His Spirit, which is rooted and grounded in love.

Love for the world emanated from the heart of the Father to a world of lost sinners and love breathes in new life to the dead spirit of all who believe on His name. And we are exhorted by the apostle of love – beloved – let US love one another because God is Love and Love is of God.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/1-john-4-7

What does 1 John 4:7 mean?

This verse begins the second major section of this chapter, returning to the theme of love. John begins by once again addressing his readers as “beloved.” He then mentions both love and God three times each. First, believers are to “love one another.” This reflects both the commandments of Jesus (John 13:34–35), and John’s prior teaching on recognizing a life influenced by Christ (1 John 2:7–11).

Second, the reason believers are to love one another is because “love is from God.” The ability to act lovingly towards others is one of the benefits of a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

Third, the person who truly loves God has “been born of God and knows God.” This last statement includes two separate ideas. The person who is “born of God” is a saved Christian believer (John 3). The natural, expected result of this is for that person to have a close relationship with Him. This results in that person “knowing” God. A person cannot love God adequately without being born again. Nor can a person truly love others apart from God’s love. Those who demonstrate godly love prove that they are saved.

Context Summary

First John 4:7–10 returns to the theme of love. Here, John explains how true, godly love in a person’s life is a sign of being born again. Those who truly love God will act on that love, towards other people. Those who don’t demonstrate love have no fellowship with God, at minimum. Love is something God showed us first, by sending Christ. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in His original love for us. We are again reminded that true love involves acting, not just feeling.

Chapter Context

Chapter 4 warns Christians not to accept every claim they hear. Instead, believers are to compare what they hear to the basic truths of the gospel. John then returns to the theme of love, explaining how believer ought to live out the presence of God’s love in their lives. In addition, living according to God’s love takes away our fear of judgment. In no uncertain terms, those who claim to love God, but hate others, are liars.

Psalm 55
For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 
Listen to my prayer, O God.
    Do not ignore my cry for help!
2 
Please listen and answer me,
    for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
3 
My enemies shout at me,
    making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
    and angrily hunt me down.
4 
My heart pounds in my chest.
    The terror of death assaults me.
5 
Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
    and I can’t stop shaking.
6 
Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
    then I would fly away and rest!
7 
I would fly far away
    to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude
8 
How quickly I would escape—
    far from this wild storm of hatred.

As humans especially humans with severe mental weights we may find ourselves in moments like David had crying and screaming out in agony for help weighing down in anxiety and overwhelmed with our life situations he says

1 
Listen to my prayer, O God.
    Do not ignore my cry for help!- He pleads for help
2 
Please listen and answer me,
    for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.- He begs for God to answer and hear him in his troubles in desperation and disparity
3 
My enemies shout at me,
    making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
    and angrily hunt me down.
4 
My heart pounds in my chest.
    The terror of death assaults me.- Feeling in panic and anxious about what he feels is going on around him he in danger and pleads for his life
5 
Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
    and I can’t stop shaking. – We’ve all felt this feeling within life strong intent feelings of fear yet God reminds us not to fear
We should be more like David fervent and in desperation in prayer when real overwhelmed and afraid I urge you to turn your emotions into prayer whatever you may be feeling and going through instead of letting it control you where you feel overwhelmed and panic or fear express it in prayer talking to God and use your faith to keep it then you can be like David in the second part of this verse turning it into the escape he would then have a wish he would proceed with to escape and flee

6 
Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
    then I would fly away and rest!
7 
I would fly far away
    to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude
8 
How quickly I would escape—
    far from this wild storm of hatred.

For the more you practice erasing your negative emotions turning them to positive affirmations and prayer the closer relationship you shall have with God and the more you shall feel him working positively within your life

Matthew 7:7 says

Matthew 7:7
New Living Translation

Effective Prayer
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

God is always there
God is always listening
God is always ready to jump up for us at anything we need
But as many humans many of us tend to not ask or to just forget to ask

I urge you to begin to maintain a practice of turning your negative emotions into your prayer requests like David did

◄ What Does Psalm 55:6 Mean? ►
I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Psalm 55:6(NASB)

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-55-6

Verse Thoughts
David is the author of Psalm 55, and he bemoans the shocking fact that his own familiar friend, whom he loved and trusted, betrayed him. A trusted companion, with whom David had enjoyed hours of sweet fellowship turned on him and was unimaginably disloyal. David and his bosom companion had spent much time together, in one another’s company. They had communed together, fellowshiped together, and walked together in the house of God. No wonder David’s heart was in such anguish.

It was not simply a difference of opinion that cause these two friends to go their separate ways. It was not life’s circumstances that had caused them to be detached from the close bond that had anchored them together in spirit. This was not a parting of the ways, due to the ebb and flow of life, that so often happens when circumstances dictate that two kindred spirits are separated from one another. 

This was a deliberate, premeditated betrayal of a trusted friend, that caused David to cry out, “My heart is in anguish within me. The terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling has come upon me. Horror has overwhelmed me.” It is no surprise that David cried out in great dismay and deep distress, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”

This man of God longed that he could escape the terrible situation and distressing betrayal of his beloved friend. So shocking was this soul-mate’s disloyalty that David would have fled to the desert to find solace. I wonder if David’s thoughts travelled back to the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, when God provided the comfort and strength his forefathers needed, as they trudged around the desert for 40 years.

I wonder if his thoughts travelled back to the ark of Noah, after the grueling experience of the flood, when a little dove was released through the window of the ark and was the only bird that brought comfort and hope back to Noah and his family, as they waited for the waters of judgement to subside. Perhaps David’s mind retreated to the sacrificial offering of two turtledoves that Israel was commanded to perform, on certain high days and holy days. 

I wonder if David considered the dove as a symbol of peace, as he reflected on the Spirit of God, Who brooded over the dark waters, in the beginning, and brought order out of chaos… as God spoke the world into being and sustained His creation by the might of His power. I wonder if David had an understanding that the dove would become the most familiar symbol of God’s sustaining power, grace, and comfort in the body of Christ.. or if at that moment he simply saw a little dove, fluttering into his courtyard.

I wonder if David knew that the Psalm that he was writing was Messianic. I wonder if he knew it was a signpost that points us to Jesus, and His familiar friend and beloved disciple – Judas Iscariot, who would betray the Lord of Glory for thirty pieces of silver. I wonder if David knew that the Psalm he was writing in his deep distress would be a peculiar pointer to great David’s greater Son – God’s Anointed Saviour, Who would be despised and rejected of men – a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief – so that the fallen race of man could be redeemed by faith.

David wanted to run away from the dire circumstances that caused such deep despair. He wanted to flee far from the person who had caused him such anguish of heart. He wanted the horrors of life that surrounded him, at that time, to be removed far away… but David had to learn that you can’t run away from the circumstances of life, you can’t escape from those that would do you harm, you can’t live in this world and be free from trials and tribulations, you can’t fly away to a deserted place and be at rest, for we live in a fallen world, we inhabit a fallen body and we live among a fallen race of fallen creatures.

No! The only place to run is into the arms of Jesus. The only escape is to be positioned in Christ, by faith, and empowered by His Holy Spirit. The only way to be at rest is to abide in Christ and to have Him abiding in us, every moment of the day – as we walk in spirit and truth, as we trust in the Lord with all our heart, as we keep self nailed to the cross, and as we die to self and live for Him.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-55-6

If you continue on into Psalm 55
You read verse 22 which says

Psalm 55:22
New Living Translation

22 
Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

What Does Psalm 55:22 Mean? ►
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22(HCSB)

Verse Thoughts
The psalms of David, which were penned thousands of years ago have as much relevance in todays, anti-God, Christ-rejecting sinful world, as they did in the time of David’s trouble.

David had been betrayed by one of his best friends and his soul was in deep distress. He was restless and complaining, oppressed by wicked men and distracted by a multitude of threats from his evil enemies. He was overwhelmed by trouble, broken-hearted with grief, anguished in heart and in deep emotional distress.

Like many believers today, David was fearful of his growing number of enemies, overwhelmed by his many troubles, and sinking into a bottomless slough of despond.. and yet despite his overwhelming difficulties, David was enabled to turn his eyes on the Lord, and to cast his burdens upon Him – David knew that God would sustain him through every difficulty he faced, for God will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Today we too are increasingly overwhelmed by terrors and threats without, which cause many fears and fainting within.. but throughout the Word of God we are reminded not to fear, for the Lord our God is with us, whithersoever we go, and we are encouraged to cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-55-22

God only wants the best for us
He is always looking for the best for us
He is always looking to build us up and to better us we just have to want it and ask him and give him our needs
He’s only any ear and a thought away

Day 18: Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. (Proverbs 3:13)

Proverbs 3:13

New Living Translation

13 

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,

    the one who gains understanding

Joy filled is the person who finds wisdom, the same one who receives understanding

Proverbs 3:13

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Play Audio:

How can you be happy? King Solomon told you how. The man who had everything knew more about happiness than anyone. What was his advice? Knowing that wisdom and understanding greatly affect every part of your life, he said to find and get both of them.

Daily goals for your life should include seeking wisdom and understanding. They will do more for you than any other thing. They will bring you true happiness and many other blessings. What is your chief ambition in life today? Are you chasing vanity instead?

Solomon taught his son to search for wisdom (Pr 2:1-9); it would save him from much trouble (Pr 2:10-21). To encourage his son, and you as well, to pursue wisdom, he described its great blessings (Pr 3:14-18). It and understanding can make you happy.

Compared economically, obtaining wisdom and understanding is better than a prosperous business in gold and silver (Pr 3:14). They are of greater value than rubies (Pr 3:15). In fact, wisdom and understanding are more important than anything you could possibly seek in your life (Pr 3:15). Financial gain does not give lasting happiness to any man, and it brings enormous worries and problems with it (Pr 23:4-5; Eccl 5:10-17; I Tim 6:9-10).

Wisdom and understanding will give you a long life, riches, and honor (Pr 3:16). They will bring you pleasantness and peace (Pr 3:17). They will be the source of a wonderful life; and if you keep them, you will be very happy (Pr 3:18). There is nothing this world has to offer that can compare. Why waste any more effort chasing their soap bubbles?

If this fabulous description of the benefits of wisdom and understanding were only half true, you should still make getting them a priority. Nothing else you are working for even comes close. But Solomon, king of Israel, knew what he wrote. Having tried every sort of project and pleasure to find profit and happiness in this life, he concluded that wisdom and understanding are the great goals (Pr 8:32-36). Trust his efforts (Pr 25:2; Eccl 2:12).

Wisdom and understanding know the basis and purpose for life and how to deal rightly with each situation life brings. Instead of the hopeless confusion of not knowing what man is here for nor how to handle life’s problems, those with wisdom and understanding find life a pleasant and peaceful experience with much happiness. They are successful and rich, as measured by noble standards, and they are honored among good men.

Wisdom and understanding are built on the foundation of fearing God (Pr 1:7; 9:10). They are increased by rejecting your own ideas and trusting the Lord’s instruction (Pr 3:5-7), which is found in His holy scriptures (II Tim 3:16-17), especially Proverbs. God raised up Solomon and inspired these select proverbs to teach young men, and every reader, wisdom and understanding (Pr 1:1-4). Learning them should be your daily goal.

Every day should include begging God for wisdom (Jas 1:5), repudiating your own folly (Job 33:27), searching the Scriptures for it (Acts 17:11), and doing what you learn (Jas 1:22). With effort applied in these areas, you will find a liberal supply of wisdom and understanding (Pr 2:5,8; 8:17). But you must sacrifice to make this a priority (Pr 18:1).

Ultimate and infinite wisdom and understanding are in the Lord Jesus Christ (Col 2:3). He came to give His elect children the abundant life, as they believe and obey more and more perfectly (John 10:10). In Him is full and unspeakable joy (I Pet 1:8; I John 1:4). Believe on Him and follow His scriptures today for happiness in this world and the next.

Proverbs 3:13-18 – What is Wisdom and Why Should You Pursue It?

By Isaac Walsh / December 31, 2018 / Proverbs, Sermon Recaps, Wisdom for a New Year



Sometimes when we’re after something – no matter how difficult or easy it may be – it requires a bit of persistence. If we deem that the goal is worth the price, then we’re going to go after it. If we’re motivated enough, we’ll do whatever it takes to achieve our goals.

What is one thing that you would stop at nothing to get? What’s at the top of your list of things to persistently pursue? In Proverbs 3:13-18, we’re told that “wisdom” should be put at the top of that list.

Pursue Wisdom at Any Cost

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”

– vv. 13-18

The main point of this is pretty clear: put wisdom at the top of your list of things to go after. Set your sights on wisdom. Pursue wisdom at any cost.

God, through Proverbs, is calling us to orient our lives around the pursuit of wisdom. But if we’re going to be this radical, we’re going to need some reasons why. Why should we pursue wisdom like this? What’s the benefit?

Before we answer that, we need to know what wisdom actually is. 

What is “Wisdom”?

Simply put, wisdom is (according to the Bible) the ability to make godly choices. There are a lot of other “wisdoms” out there. But the unique thing about biblical wisdom is:

• it comes only from God

• it comes only through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ – trusting in Him and placing your life fully under His authority

• its goal is to glorify God

Now, there are a lot of people who operate according to worldly wisdom instead of biblical wisdom, and the Bible has a word for them: fools. A fool’s source of wisdom comes from human minds through magazines, TV, internet, etc. Fools do not acknowledge God and have not committed their lives to trusting Him and placing their lives under His authority. And the goal of worldly wisdom is personal gain, not glorifying God.

Biblical wisdom is living under the authority of God and His Word. And it’s the ability to apply God’s Word to your life. There are some objections, however, that people might have to pursuing this kind of wisdom.

“I Don’t Have Time to Pursue Wisdom”

You might be thinking, “Wisdom is fine, but I’m too busy with my life to pursue it.” Isn’t this objection about priorities? Essentially, you’re saying, “I know what my priorities are and they take precedent over what God says in His Word.”

This objection actually misses the whole point of this passage. It’s not pitting wisdom against life – the point is that wisdom is the key that unlocks all the truly good things in life. If you want to be truly successful in life, pursue wisdom.

Related:  Foolish of Fingertips

“Wisdom is Boring, and I Want to Have Fun”

You might also think that wisdom is for people who don’t know how to have fun. And you want to have fun, so wisdom is not for you. Well there’s good news for you: God is not opposed to fun! He invented it. But … it dishonors God when we make fun our god instead of Him.

Living and making choices in light of God’s truth actually makes fun more fun than worldly fun. Verse 17 says, “[Wisdom’s] ways are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” The kind of fun that wisdom leads us to doesn’t have fun at the expense of others.

“Wisdom is Only For Smart People”

If your objection to pursuing wisdom is that it’s only for smart people, then there is again good news for you. Wisdom is intensely practical. It’s for people who are trying to grind it out one day at a time.

Wisdom has to do with things like successful relationships (read Wisdom and Loving Faithfulness), using your words (read Wisdom and Words), sexual temptation (read Wisdom and Sexual Temptation) and finances (read How to Honor God with Your Wealth). It’s not about how smart you are, it’s about your desire to please God by applying His truth to your life.

“I’ve Tried to Get Wisdom, but It Doesn’t Work”

The final objection you might have is, “I’ve tried to gain biblical wisdom, but I’m not seeing the results promised here.” This objection is based on a common misunderstanding of what Proverbs is all about. The promises here are not hard-fast, absolute promises – they are things likely to happen if we make wise choices.

Related:  How to Avoid an Allergy Fit (Spiritually Speaking)

It’s kind of like the saying “you get what you pay for.” It’s a short, catchy saying that points to a larger principle. Have you ever purchased something dirt cheap that turned out to be of really good quality? Yes, you probably have. And this is exactly the way these promises in Proverbs work.

The blessings of long life (v. 16a), riches and honor (v. 16b) are not guarantees. They are general benefits that are likely to happen when you gain wisdom.

Pursue Wisdom in 2019

Wisdom is the ability to make godly choices. It’s living in light of God’s Word and acting accordingly. Unfortunately, you can’t just find wisdom or buy it – it takes intentional, committed decision to pursue it. And when we choose to do this, God promises to help us (James 1:5).

Let’s make 2019 a year of pursuing wisdom in a way that we’ve, perhaps, never done before.

Discussion Starters

1. What are some things you pursue? Is wisdom one of those things?

2. What is “wisdom” according to the Bible? How is this different from other “wisdoms”

3. What might be keeping you from pursuing wisdom?

4. If you’re gaining wisdom, but the promises of Proverbs 3:13-18 don’t seem to be holding true, what might be the reason?

5. How do you gain biblical wisdom?

6. What steps will you take to pursue wisdom in 2019?

Guest speaker: Jeff Walsh

Wisdom’s Blessings

Proverbs 3:13-18

Delivered 06/13/1999

Proverbs 3:13-18 (NKJV) Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

Just reading this text should show us the importance of having wisdom and give us a desire to attain it. Note carefully, all the blessings that wisdom brings. After reading this text, you should only have one question, “How do I get wisdom?” That’s a good question, how would you answer it? To answer it, you would have to know what wisdom was, do you? How would you define it?

In the entrance hall of Rockefeller Center in New York City are found four large murals that depict the progress of mankind. The first painting is a picture of primitive man laboring with his hands in an attempt to survive in his alien environment. In the second scene, he has become the creator of tools, and the comforts of his civilization are multiplying. The third mural shows man to be both master and servant of the machine, and the vast forces of the material world are under his direction and control. The last picture shows Christ delivering the Sermon on the Mount, and up toward him are struggling masses of men, women, and children. Underneath the mural are these words:

Man’s ultimate destiny depends not on whether he can learn new lessons or make new discoveries or conquests, but on his acceptance of the lesson taught him close on 2,000 years ago.

This is the artist’s way of saying that true wisdom, for man, is adjustment to and acceptance of God’s revealed truth. It lies in seeing himself, the creature, in right perspective to God, the Creator, and in acting accordingly.

Philosophers have taught that wisdom is that for which man should most singularly strive. Siccero, in 52 BC wrote, “Wisdom is the best gift of the gods, it is the mother of all good things.” This is not only the view of philosophers, but much more importantly, it is what the Bible teaches:

Proverbs 4:1-7 (NKJV) Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; 2 For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. 3 When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 7 WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE GET WISDOM. And in all your getting, get understanding.

The world in which we live cries out that “Money, sex, power, or luxury is the principle thing” but God says, “it is wisdom.”

WHAT WISDOM IS NOT:

To understand wisdom, we need to understand what it is not. If you were to stand at the airport and watch the planes coming and going, you might be able to get a general idea of the overall plan of the various flights. As you watched them take off, land, circle the runway and taxi in, you could learn some things about the overall plan.

But if you were to go into the tower with all the radar showing the visible location of every plane and hear the tower’s communication with the planes, you would learn much more. At once you would be able to look at the whole situation through the eyes of the men who control the aircraft. You would see why the plane must circle the runway before it lands. You would see why the plane on the ground must wait for clearance to take off. You would understand why that plane stopped its taxing and returned for repairs. The why and wherefore of all these movements becomes plain once you can see the overall picture.

This is NOT an illustration of what God does when He gives us wisdom. Wisdom does not consist of a deepened insight into the providential meaning and purpose of events going on around us. It is not the ability to see WHY God has done what He has done in a particular case, and what He is gong to do next.

Was Job a wise man? The Word of God says he was:

Job 1:1 (NKJV) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

The Word of God says that Job feared God, and as we’ll see in a minute, it also teaches that wisdom is inseparably linked to fearing God. Right now, I want you to see that Job was wise but yet he never understood WHY all his trials came upon him.

Job 2:3 (NKJV) Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

God said that Job’s trials were “without cause” so there is no way he could have understood the WHY.

WHAT WISDOM IS:

It is like being taught to drive. What matters in driving is the speed and appropriateness of your reactions to things, and the soundness of your judgement as to what scope a situation gives you. You don’t ask yourself, “Why is this road so slippery” or “Why is the turn so sharp” or “Why is that car parked where it is” or “Why did they suddenly stop right in the middle of the road?” Does the “why” really matter? Instead of asking “why,” you simply try to see and do the right thing in the actual situation. Divine wisdom enables you and me to do just that in the actual situations of life.

To drive well, you have to keep your eyes focused to notice exactly what is in front of you. To live wisely, you have to do the same thing. Wisdom is properly evaluating circumstances and making right decisions. It’s the ability to respond correctly to the circumstances of life.

Job demonstrated wisdom in his responses to the circumstances that he found himself in. He never understood the WHY, but he did respond correctly.

Job 1:20-21 (NKJV) Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Job 2:9-10 (NKJV) Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

In Jewish usage, wisdom described the individual who possessed moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct. A wisdom derived from his personal knowledge of God.

I love the story of the young man of 32 who had been appointed President of the bank. He’d never dreamed he’d be president, much less at such a young age. So he approached the venerable Chairman of the Board and said, “You know, I’ve just been appointed President. I was wondering if you could give me some advice.” The old man came back with just two words: “Right decisions!” The young man had hoped for a bit more than this, so he said, “That’s really helpful, and I appreciate it, but can you be more specific? How do I make right decisions?” The old man simply responded, “Experience.” The young man said, “Well, that’s just the point of my being here. I don’t have the kind of experience I need. How do I get it?” The older man replied, “Wrong decisions!”

We all need wisdom and we need a better way to gain it than the experience of making wrong decisions! Well, if you want to learn about wisdom, the Bible is the place to go. It has a lot to say about wisdom and how to obtain it.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we have “The Preacher” trying to bring home to the unbeliever the impossibility of finding happiness “under the sun” apart from God. The author speaks as a mature teacher giving a young disciple the fruits of his own long experience and reflection. He wants to lead this young believer into true wisdom, to keep him from the “control tower” mistake. He didn’t want him to think that wisdom, when he gained it, would tell him the reasons for God’s various doings in the ordinary course of providence.

What the “preacher” wants to show him is that the real basis for wisdom is a frank acknowledgment that this world’s course is perplexing, that much of what happens to us is inexplicable to us.

Many of life’s occurrences bear no outward sign of a rational, moral God ordering them at all. This book is a warning against a misconceived quest for understanding. It states the despairing conclusion to which this quest, if honestly and realistically pursued, must lead.

Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 (NKJV) When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

Solomon is saying, “You can’t understand the divine purpose in the ordinary providential course of events, and the harder you try, the more meaningless it gets. It is to this pessimistic conclusion that optimistic expectations of finding the divine purpose of everything will lead you.

Seldom does the world appear to us as if God is running it. Has anyone ever said to you, “Why did God let this happen?” Why do two teenage boys go to school with bombs and guns and kill many of their classmates? Why does a man blow up the federal building and kill so many helpless people? Why does a mother kill her two young children? Why are children abused by their own parents? I don’t know! Wisdom is not understanding the “why” of all these things. Wisdom is responding correctly to all of life’s circumstances.

In chapter 12, verse 13, Solomon give us his conclusion:

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NKJV) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

Wisdom is not understanding, but responding correctly to the circumstances of life. Wisdom is acceptance of, and adjustment to, God’s revealed truth. Herbert Hoover defined wisdom as “knowing what to do next.”

HOW DO WE GET WISDOM?

God is the source of all wisdom:

James 1:5 (NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 2:6 (NKJV) For the LORD gives wisdom; >From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

This makes sense, doesn’t it? Since God is the Creator of all life, it only makes sense that He is the source of wisdom. The Scriptures tell us that it is the fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom.

Psalms 111:10 (NKJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

In scripture, wisdom is inseparably linked to fearing God.

Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

So, wisdom starts with a fear of God. To the Hebrew, wisdom is right living, responding correctly to life’s situations. So, when you fear God, you will begin to live right. If “wisdom” and “understanding” are parallel in this verse, and I believe they are, then the “fear of the Lord” and the “knowledge of the Holy One” are parallel also. If we fear God, we will walk in wisdom and if we know God, we will walk in understanding. To know God is to fear Him, and to fear Him is to walk in obedience.

In our day, the idea of “fearing God” seems old-fashioned to many Christians. But there was a time when to be called a “God-fearing man” was a great compliment. You don’t hear that phrase used anymore today. I don’t think we understand what it means to fear God. Let’s look at how the Bible uses this word “fear.” Paul said the ungodly have no fear of God:

Romans 3:18 (NKJV) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

That is why they are ungodly, they don’t fear God. What we think about God will determine our behavior. God is Holy and He is Just. God’s main attribute is not love, it is holiness.

1 Peter 1:13-17 (NKJV) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

God is Holy and we are to fear Him. As God dealt with the children of Israel, he continually stressed that they were to fear Him.

Deuteronomy 4:10 (NKJV) “especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’

Deuteronomy 5:29 (NKJV) ‘Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

Do you see the connection here between God’s Word and fear? It starts with God’s Word, which produces fear, and then comes obedience.

Deuteronomy 6:23-25 (NKJV) ‘Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. 24 ‘And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. 25 ‘Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.’

The fear of God is not strictly an Old Testament concept, it is very much part of the New Covenant.

Jeremiah 32:40 (NKJV) ‘And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.

Paul and Peter both use “the fear of the Lord” as a motive to holy living. And Isaiah, speaking of Christ, said:

Isaiah 11:3 (NKJV) His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

If Jesus, in his humanity, delighted in the fear of God, surely we need to work on having this attitude in our lives.

The Bible uses the term “fear of God” in two distinct ways: that of anxious dread, and that of veneration, reverence, and awe. Fear, as anxious dread, is produced by the realization of God’s impending judgement upon sin. For the child of God, the primary meaning of the fear of God is: reverence and honor. It focuses not upon the wrath of God, but upon the majesty, holiness and glory of God. It could be compared to the awe that an ordinary citizen would feel in the presence of a great king. Notice how John responded when he saw Christ in all his glory:

Revelation 1:17 (NKJV) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

The reverent Christian first see’s God in His transcendent glory, majesty, and holiness. In our day, we have magnified the Love of God almost to the exclusion of the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NKJV) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The way to perfect holiness in your life is to have a fear of God.

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (NKJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Paul says, “Influenced by the fear of God, I persuade men.” The Bible teaches that God is holy and that He is to be feared. We desperately need to recover a sense of awe and reverence for God in our day. We must begin to view him in the infinite majesty that belongs to Him who is the Creator and Supreme Sovereign of the universe. There is an infinite gap in worth and dignity between God, the Creator, and man, the creature. The fear of God is a heartfelt recognition of this gap– not a put down of man, but the exaltation of God.

Notice the attitude of the redeemed in heaven:

Revelation 15:3-4 (NKJV) They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 4 Who shall not fearYou, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”

To fear God is to confess his absolute uniqueness– to acknowledge his majesty, holiness, awesomeness, glory, and power.

The reason that there is so little wisdom in the church today is because there is so little FEAR of God. We do not know Him, so we do not fear him. God is holy and he is to be feared. The fear of God should provide a primary motivation for, as well as result in, obedience to him. If we truly reverence God, we will obey him, since every act of disobedience is an affront to his dignity and majesty. Fearing God results in obedience, and this is wisdom. How can we come to really know God so that we do fear Him? There is only one way and that is through the Bible, which is God’s self revelation.

If you discipline yourself in the area of Bible study, you’ll begin to know God, and as you get to know Him, you’ll fear Him, and as you fear Him, you’ll walk in wisdom.

True wisdom comes only from God and it comes only to those who fear Him. And wisdom is divinely wrought in those, and those only, who apply themselves to God’s revelation.

Psalms 19:7 (NKJV) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

It is God’s word that makes wise the simple. So many Christians live as fools simply because they will not put forth the time and energy to spend time in God’s written word.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Wisdom is acceptance of, and adjustment to God’s revealed truth. Those who have wisdom will be blessed:

Proverbs 4:7-9 (NKJV) Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

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What’s Wisdom Worth? (Proverbs 3:13-18)

September 29, 2019 Speaker: Bryce Morgan Series: Proverbial Faith (Proverbs)

Topic: One Truth: Walk in Truth Passage: Proverbs 3:13–3:18

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I. Lady Wisdom’s Dinner Party

In your mind’s eye, try to imagine the scene painted by these words:

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. [2] She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. [3] She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, [4] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! To him who lacks sense she says, [5] “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. [6] Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

Those are the opening words of Proverbs 9. As you might have painted in your own mind, the scene is of a large home and a lavish banquet. Lady Wisdom (Solomon’s personification of wisdom, kind of like we do with ‘Mother Nature’… Lady Wisdom…) has made all the preparations for an incomparable meal. The table is set and the invitations have been issued. In fact, that invite is still being declared today, this very morning. Listen again to Wisdom’s call in 9:5, 6…

“Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. [6] Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

Have you responded to that invitation? Have you been to Lady Wisdom’s dinner party? Are you there even now? Or… do you at least recognize how hungry you are? One thing that might make her invitation more… (pun intended) appetizing, is understanding just how delicious and just how satisfying her “bread and drink of the wine” really are.

This morning, consider with me what wisdom is worth by turning over to Proverbs 3.

II. The Passage: “She is a Tree of Life” (3:13-18)

You may remember that Proverbs chapters 1-9 represent a kind of introduction to the book, the majority of which is a collection of shorter sayings. As we’ve talked about in previous weeks, King Solomon’s main objective in this intro was to encourage his son to prize and pursue wisdom.

Now, there are many places throughout this introduction that speak about the value of wisdom. But chapter 3, verses 13-18 are especially helpful. Listen as I read those verses…

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, [14] for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. [15] She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. [16] Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Isn’t that good stuff? Let’s take a few minutes to break this passage down. In doing that, I think we’ll find a helpful guide to the rest of this opening section of Proverbs. So, let’s think with me about…

1. Wisdom’s Value: The Metaphorical (vs. 13-15)

You may have noticed how verses 14 and 15 speak about the value of wisdom, but they do so by comparing wisdom to the kinds of things that most people think of when they hear the word valuables. Do you see those? We read in verse 14 about silver and gold, and in verse 15, about jewels. But why this specific comparison?

Well, a chapter earlier, Solomon made this same analogy when he called his son to “treasure up my commandments” (2:1) He went on to explain what he had in mind: when it comes to “wisdom” and “understanding” (2:2), when it comes “insight” (2:3) “if you [writes Solomon in 2:4] seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, [5] then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”

Do you hear what Solomon, what God, is saying? People go to incredible lengths to obtain earthly wealth. All of us have been tempted to believe that if we had a bigger balance in our checking accounts, if we had more assets in our portfolio, if money simply wasn’t an issue, then life would be better; we would be more comfortable; we would have less problems; we would feel happier and more secure. And so, we are regularly tempted to prize and pursue earthly wealth.

But wisdom is far better than any earthly treasure… the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Is that how you think about wisdom? Is it really that valuable? It is. And Solomon goes on to explain why. If you look back at vs. 16, 17, you’ll read about…

2. Wisdom’s Value: The Practical (vs. 16, 17)

Look at how Solomon moves from the metaphorical to the practical. Here is the actual gain, the tangible profit, a person receives from wisdom…

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Silver, gold, and jewels can buy you a nice house, a nice car, and nice vacation, but they cannot buy you a “long life”; they cannot buy you the “honor” King Solomon mentions here; you cannot use them to purchase the “pleasantness” or “peace” of verse 17. Interestingly, though you cannot purchase wisdom, wisdom can result in “riches”. But how? What does Solomon mean when he describes wisdom’s “gain” or “profit” with all these terms?

Well, let’s take “long life” (v. 16) for example. This concept of wisdom leading to “life” or “years” or “length of days” is found all throughout the introduction that is Proverbs chapters 1-9. We find it in 3:2, 3:18, 3:22, 4:10, 4:22, 6:23, 8:35, and 9:11. So how can wisdom help you to live longer. Well, according to Solomon, wisdom is profitable for life in that it protects us from death.

Let me give you a couple of the examples we find in this opening section. In 2:12-15 we read about how wisdom delivers us from the deadly consequences awaiting foolish and wicked men. In general, if you run around with violent people, if you abuse your body with addicts, if you keep company with people who love to break the rules; if you stay out late with fools, then in general, statistically, you will lead a shorter life.

Another example, in fact, the most common example in chapters 1-9, should come as no surprise when we remember this book was originally written for a young man. 2:16-19, 5:3-23, and 6:20-7:27, all of these verses deal with adultery and “the forbidden woman”. What does sexual immorality have to do with “long life”? Well, in all these sections, Solomon makes statements like this one:

…for her house [i.e., the adulteress] sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed [i.e., the dead]; [19] none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life. (2:18, 19)

Chapter 6, verses 32-34 spell this out in dramatic, real life, situational terms:

He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. [33] He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. [34] For jealousy makes a man furious [that’s the wronged husband], and he will not spare when he takes revenge. [Deadly?]

And if we moved beyond “long life” and talked about the other examples of wisdom’s “gain” in verses 16 and 17, things like “riches”, “honor”, “pleasantness”, and “peace”, we would find other practical examples of how wisdom works. For instance, in 6:1-5, we read how wisdom delivers us from the financially costly consequences of securing a loan for a stranger (that’s like co-signing on a lease for someone you don’t know). Right after that, in 6:6-11, we read how wisdom can deliver us from the very real social, relational, and financial consequences of… laziness.

These are just some of the common, everyday examples of how wisdom helps us avoid the costly, and sometimes deadly, consequences of foolish, reckless, and/or wicked choices. Which of us doesn’t have regrets because of such choices? Maybe this morning, you are still dealing with health consequences, or a severed relationship, or a tarnished reputation, or financial shackles… all because you acted unwisely. That is the practical ‘poverty’ of foolishness, a poverty that leaves us longing for wisdom’s profit.

But with all this in mind, it’s important we also talk about…

3. Wisdom’s Value: The Spiritual (v. 18)

Isn’t interesting how Solomon goes on to speak about wisdom’s gain in verse 18. Why is wisdom so valuable? Because… She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Now, know this: Solomon will go on to use that same “tree of life” imagery three more times in Proverbs: in 11:30, 13:12, and 15:4. What’s the point of this comparison? Well, just like the tree of life in Eden, just like the tree we read about in Genesis 2 and 3, wisdom, both gained and given, results in a kind of life-enhancing transformation, by which we are (v. 18) “called blessed”. This is more than a practical, ’cause and effect’ kind of benefit. Lady Wisdom explains it this way in 8:35… For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD…

Simply put, in addition to the blessing of living a wisely-ordered life in God’s wisely-ordered world, there is also direct blessing from God for those who fear Him and walk in wisdom. We find one clear example of this a few verses before our main passage. Look at Proverbs 3:9–10…

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; [10] then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Fear-of-God-influenced finances are always the wisest monetary policy. Why? Because the wisdom to give back some things to the One who gave you everything always leads, in one way or another, to a fuller experience of His perfect provision. Do you believe that? Does that kind of wisdom influence your financial choices?

But God promises even more in terms of blessing for the wise man or women: (2:7) …he is a shield to those who walk in integrity… (3:6) …he will make straight your paths. (3:26) …the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (3:33) …he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. (3:34) …to the humble he gives favor. And there are, as we will discover throughout this book, many, many, many more examples of how God blesses the one who walks in wisdom.

III. Are You Ready to Receive?

Brothers and sisters, friends, does that give you a better sense of what wisdom’s worth? Do you understand why her invitation is so good, why her food is so delicious, why her banquet is so satisfying? In both practical and spiritual terms, there is nothing as profitable as wisdom. Why? Because wisdom leads you to God and teaches you how to live for him, in the world he made, in every area of your life.

Why this message, this morning? Because when we return to the book of Proverbs, when we begin to mine its treasures, ponder its sayings, consider its counsel, we need to come with eyes wide open; with humble and hungry hearts; with an eagerness and sense of expectation befitting this book. We need to come with a deep sense of neediness as those who so often follow folly. Tying together what we’ve talked in past lessons, if we are to ever truly ponder and practice wisdom, we must first prize and pursue her.

Are you ready to receive all that God has for you in this book? Are you? Amen!

But when we step back from this book and look at all the books of the Bible, we are reminded of this: in Proverbs 9:5 the invitation to bread and wine is an invitation to be nourished by wisdom. In this NT, the invitation to bread and wine is an invitation to be nourished by Jesus… by his life-giving death, and destiny-transforming resurrection. Wisdom first invites us to her table, so that we realize how badly we need Christ’s table.

And when we, by faith, are fed at Christ’s table, we find power, pattern, and pardon. A power to live wisely, a pattern to follow faithfully, and a pardon to restore completely, time and time again.

All of these introductory messages in Proverbs prepare us to receive the fullness of this book. But we cannot receive this wisdom unless we first receive Jesus Christ, God’s perfect provision for foolish sinners like us.

Brothers and sisters, friends, let us seek this treasure, keeping in mind the truth of 2:6… For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Let’s pray in light of that amazing truth.

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What Does Proverbs 13:3 Mean? ►

The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 13:3(HCSB)

Verse Thoughts

Every verse in the book of Proverbs holds gems of wisdom from the Lord… whether they are words or warning or precious pearls of instruction – exhortation to live a godly life of simply encouragement to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to keep the eyes of our heart firmly fasted onto our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The council in this little verse of Scripture has colossal consequences, for although the mouth is so small, and the tongue is a tiny member of the body – it has far reaching ramifications. Jesus tells us that it is the words that comes out of the mouth that defiles a man, for our speech reflects the thoughts of our heart, while James reminds us that a tiny spark, carelessly cast from the tongue, can ignite a great and destructive inferno.

How true that the one who guards his mouth and the word of his lips will keep himself out of trouble and preserve his life, while the one who opens his lips wide in careless cackling will come to ruin – how important therefore to let all the conversation that pours from our lips, be always full of grace and seasoned with salt – so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

The Lord Jesus is the perfect example of One whose words were gracious and kind; wise and instructive, for who spoke the truth in love. As we bathe the thoughts of our heart in the Word of God and meditate on the truth of His wisdom – we will not only guard our mouth to keep us from evil but will pour out His words of healing and help to others – until it is not I that speak – but Christ that speaks through me.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/proverbs-13-3

What does Proverbs 3:13 mean?

In this verse Solomon describes the one who finds wisdom as “blessed.” The word “blessed” means happy. Psalm 1:1 identifies the “blessed” [happy] person as the one who rejects the lifestyle of the wicked but delights in God’s Word.

In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus identified the blessed as the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and those who are reviled falsely for His sake (Matthew 5:2–11).

Solomon describes wisdom and understanding in Proverbs, but does not explicitly supply definitions. As used across the text, however, wisdom is the ability to act according to accurate knowledge. Understanding, in Proverbs, is insight or intelligence—the ability to know something well enough to pass its value along to others. The acquisition of both wisdom and understanding produces happiness. Believers find life’s greatest happiness in knowing and doing God’s will and having the insight to determine how they should respond to a godless culture.

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:13–26 extols the virtue of wisdom. Solomon began this discussion in chapter 1, and explained in chapter 2 that the Lord gives wisdom to the upright. Now he describes as blessed the person who finds wisdom, and explains its benefits and applications. Wisdom, as used in this book, refers to the ability to apply godly knowledge. While not a guarantee someone will act accordingly, having a grasp of God’s intent for our lives is immensely valuable.

Chapter Summary

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon’s son. The term, ”my son” occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon’s students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one’s whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord’s blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ”proverbs,” biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person

Isaiah 53:3-4 (New Living Translation)

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He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

What Does Isaiah 53:3 Mean? ►

He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Isaiah 53:3(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

The very focus of this passage in Isaiah 53 is the beating heart of the gospel of Christ Jesus, Who was sent by God to be the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the whole world.

Jesus was the one Who was despised and rejected of all men. He was a suffering servant.. a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and yet before we were saved by grace through faith in Him we just couldn’t care less. We who were born dead in trespasses and sins held Him in low esteem and were indifferent to the tremendous sacrifice He made on our behalf. And yet while we were still sinners God gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross, for your sin and for mine – and for the sin of the whole world too.

Christ was the the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. The Father purposed to send the beloved Son of His love to be slaughtered as the sin-sacrifice, for all who would believe on His name. And Christ loved the church so much that He willingly gave Himself up for her, and meekly offered His life as a ransom for many. The Lord Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb of the most High God, and the Lord laid upon HIM the iniquity of us all.

Jesus not only paid the purchase price for our sin, by His substitutionary death, but He identified with every aspect of humanities sin and the curse of God’s holy Law. He identified with our imputed sin nature, which is the morally ruinous character that is inherent in the whole human race. He identified with our inherited sin nature and the heavy burden of the multitude of sins we commit in body, soul and mind. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all mankind as humanities representative; vicarious; substitutionary sacrifice – so that all who believe in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.

The devastating nature of every aspect of mankind’s sin-soaked state and its serious and eternal consequences cannot be over-emphasized.. and the shocking punishment that Christ received on our behalf cannot be overstated. Sin is transgression against our Creator. Sin is rebellion against a holy God and sin must be punished in full..

And Christ was smitten of God for our sake. Christ was afflicted on our behalf and Christ took the full force of God’s anger, wrath, punishment and judgement against my sin and yours.. and Christ did this on behalf of the entire human race, so that whoever believes in Him will not be condemned: for Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.. but that salvation is only bestowed as a free gift of God’s grace through FAITH in Christ.

Jesus bore all our griefs.. and Jesus carried all our sorrows in His body on the tree. He was pierced through for our transgressions and He was crushed under the enormous weight of the accumulated sin of the whole world, and by grace through faith in Him we are healed; we are forgiven; we are saved; we are redeemed and we are freed from bondage to Satan, the curse of the Law and the enormous and eternal consequences of our sin.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/isaiah-53-3

KENDRA’S BIBLE STUDY…ISAIAH 53:3-4

Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online Bible study.  This is a place where we can come together and share in our journey towards Scriptural truths and spiritual maturity.  We pray this will be a safe, respectful, resourceful place to come and discuss God’s Word…to discover What it says…What it means…and What it means to you!

Kendra Graham notes from Isaiah 53:3-4

WHAT DOES IT SAY? THE FACTS ONLY PLEASE.
In this step you need to list the outstanding facts of the passage. DON’T get caught up in the details, just list the facts. Do not paraphrase. Use the actual words of the passage. This is God’s Word, a lot of times this step seems tedious to some, but I urge you, as we read, and say and write God’s Word, it begins to sink deep into our hearts. If you just pick one fact out of the verse, write it down and meditate on it.

FACTS:

Verse 3a: He was despised and forsaken of men.

Verse 3b: Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.

Verse 3c: From whom men hide their face.

Verse 3d: Despised, we did not esteem Him.

Verse 4a: Our griefs He bore, our sorrows He carried.

Verse 4b: We esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, afflicted.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE LESSONS.
Look for a lesson to learn from each fact. What are the people doing that they should be doing? What are the people doing that they shouldn’t be doing?

Is there a command to follow? A promise to claim? A warning to heed? An example to follow?

LESSONS:
Verse 3a: God came personally to live among us with skin on, His name is Jesus. God loved us so much that He refused to trust us to another, so He came personally to fix the gap that was in our relationship, which is sin. God refused to reject us, even though we find it so easy to reject Him. In this world there is no other name that brings such emotion than the name of Jesus. It is not in us to run to God, it is in us to hide from God and to shake our fists at God, to despise Him and reject Him… “So He came, while we were still enemies, and loved us, and gave Himself for us.” Romans 5:8 God loves us first. We were created to walk with Him, know Him and need Him, so Jesus would go the distance to make that which we were created to do a possibility…

Verse 3b: Jesus knows what it is to be broken, to feel hurt, loss and pain. Jesus understands my intense hurt and pain because He experienced it to a degree I will never have to feel. Jesus is compelled to compassion for His hurting handmade creation.

Verse 3c: No one wanted to be connected with Jesus. Even in the Garden of Gethsemene when Jesus was being wrongfully arrested, His closest friends scattered and refused to be connected with Him in any way. Jesus knows abandonment by His closest family and friends, and yet still, He went forth out of indescribable love to fix the gap that was between us. Oh the deep deep love of Jesus.

Verse 3d: It is so easy to get it wrong… we like things to look right and sound right, and play the part that we think they should play… yet Jesus did not “look like” “sound like” or “act like” those who were looking for the Messiah thought He should be and do. It is easy for us to reject those God accepts and visa versa. God Himself came and allowed Himself to be despised by the very creation He had come to save. He could have struck us dead with a word, yet instead, He died for us, loving us in word and deed. Oh! That we would esteem Him now by just spending time with Him in His Word.

Verse 4a: God with skin on, Jesus, took our pain and sorrows upon Himself as if they were His. Jesus took our grief and sorrow, but it remains so hard for us to release them to Him to carry, so we burden ourselves with which we were never designed to carry. We were created to need God to carry us. I love the verse in Isaiah 40:11 “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart…” God knows often times we need to be carried, we can’t do it, so He carries us.

Verse 4b: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 God paid the price for sin, Himself. Jesus was smitten and afflicted so we wouldn’t have to be.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME NOW? APPLY IT…. TODAY.
Take the lessons you learned and put them into the form of a personal question that you would ask your spouse, or a friend or your son or daughter.

As you write the questions, listen for God to communicate to you through His Word.

*Do not rush. Do not write things down just to have something on paper, this step takes more time that you may think.   This is where Scripture meditation becomes real, this is where you begin to hear that still small voice speak to you, and place His finger in your life and begin to direct your paths…. this day, and the next, and the next. Do you trust Him enough to put into place that which He is moving you to?

Verse 3a: Is your relationship personal between you and God? Are you running to God or are you running from God?

Verse 3b: Have you laid out your hurt and brokenness to Jesus, knowing He understands the pain of your heart?

Verse 3c: Will you stay close to Jesus today or scatter? Did you know He loves you either way?

Verse 3d: What do you think Jesus should do and hasn’t in your life? How has Jesus looked differently in your life than you once thought He would look? Will you esteem Jesus today by spending time with Him in His Word, asking Him to lead you?

 Verse 4a: Are you needing to be carried? Did you need to know that, today, God will carry you? Did you know that God came Himself, with skin on, Jesus, not trusting you to another, so that He could bear your burdens? Will you ask God to help you release those burdens today?

Verse 4b: Will you believe Jesus came for you because of God’s great love?

LIVE IT OUT!

Hold yourself accountable to LIVE OUT in your daily life that which God impresses upon your heart. Write it out, sign it, date it and claim the transforming power of God’s Word and His presence in your life.

Spend time today with God in His Word just you and Him. We were created to walk with Him, know Him and need Him.

Day 17: 40 Day Love Challenge

Day 17: Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it. Proverbs 17:9

Forgive one you know and you will grow and strengthen your friendship and relationship. Keep reminding and being a nag and your friendship will not survive

Cover-up or Love-covering? Proverbs 17:9

11/17/2009

He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. Proverbs 17:9

Wait a minute?  Is God actually encouraging a cover-up?  Why should someone conceal a transgression?  Why would it be loving to not bring out a sinful situation? 

Solomon is not encouraging a cover-up, but rather is giving us wisdom as to how to be a loyal friend.  The one who is concealing the transgression – is one who is doing so out of love.  The love that this one seeks is a love that exists between husband and wife – a love between friends.  It is love and a loyalty to the one that we love that keeps us from repeating a matter – repeating a sin.  We choose to forgive and set such things aside.  Rather than bring up a sin again – we choose to conceal such things.  This is not a cover-up but rather forgiveness and releasing the one we love from having to constantly bear the guilt of their transgression before us. 

Solomon tells us that it is the one who “repeats a matter” who separates intimate friends.  The word “repeats” is so vital here.  It means that the issue has been brought up – it has been mentioned, but now it is over – and it will not be mentioned again – it won’t be repeated!  There has been forgiveness. 

When there is NOT forgiveness, such a breach will separate even intimate friends.  This is the person who chooses to remind the one at fault again and again of their error.  And this will separate good friends.  The true friend – the one who seeks that intimacy with a friend – forgives and moves on – leaving the sin and choosing to remember it no longer. 

This is also true on a corporate scale within the church as well.  When we go about repeating the transgressions of others – i.e. when we go about gossipping concerning how others have sinned – we will separate the church – there will be a split!  Oh, how wise is the one who chooses to conceal the errors of others – rather than use them as a bludgeon to castigate them for their missteps.  We forgive – we move on – and we seek love in that relationship.  What we want is a return to intimacy and a restoration of relations.  A wise man will do such things.  A fool continues to tell others of their wrong – of how they blew it – and in the process – separates and splits things wide open. 

Seek love – choose to forgive and conceal the fact that they’ve blown it.  That is seeking love.

What Does John 17:9 Mean? ►

“I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;

John 17:9(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

The hour had arrived for Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion and the Lord Jesus gave His disciples an amazing glimpse into the intimate fellowship and precious communication, which took place between the Father of all mercies and His dearly beloved Son – as Jesus prayed His High Priestly prayer in their hearing.

Christ’s sovereignty over all flesh was referenced in His prayer, as was His authority to grant the gift of eternal life to those whom the Father had given to Him – to those who by faith would trust in His redeeming work. Christ received authority to give eternal life to all who would believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God – all whom God knew from before the foundation of the earth would believe.

Throughout His life the Lord had glorified the Father and finished the work that He has been sent to do. He had laid aside His glory in order to redeem the world, but now He prayed that the mutual glory He shared with the Father before His incarnation would be restored. But His tender heart towards His dearly beloved disciples does not go unnoticed.. for His prayer to the Father included those whom Jesus had chosen to be His closest friends – who had received Him; followed Him and believed on His name.

For three years Christ taught this little band of men. He had given to them the word of Life, which had come from heaven above. They had received the word of Truth and accepted Christ as the Word of God made flesh. They had discovered Him to be the good Shepherd, the Water of life – the Messiah of Israel and the living Bread.. Who came down from heaven. They knew Him to be the resurrection and the life – and that He alone can give light in this dark world and hope to a lost and dying race.

And Jesus was about to transfer the enormous responsibility of spreading the gospel into their hands. They were to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth. And it was in this final hour that Christ prayed on their behalf, that they would be united in the truth that they had received from Him – and that God would keep each one from the wicked schemes of the evil one. This little group of men were very precious to the Saviour for the Father had given them to the Son, and they had received His word and understood that Jesus came forth from God, and was sent by the Father.

The love of God for the world was so great that He sent His beloved Son to be the sin-sacrifice for the whole of mankind – but Christ’s prayer was not for the world, but for the men who would represent Him to the world. Christ interceded for His chosen disciples, who would lay the foundation for the fledgling church, and who would share the good news of the gospel of Christ to the Jew first; to the Gentiles and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Christ’s prayer would later expand into intercession for the whole body of Christ, who would come to faith in Him through the word of their testimony – and their faithful witness to the truth. The hour for Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion arrived.. and so He prayed that we would be united together in doctrine, in faith, in hope, in truth and in love.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/john-17-9

Proverbs 17:9 Meaning of Separates Close Friends

Jun 25, 2020 by Editor in Chief

Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

Explanation and Commentary of Proverbs 17:9

Fostering love is the goal of the Christian. One sure way to do that is to be the stopgap for information that would sow discord among brothers. It is a simple and powerful way to be a force for good in a world that loves to see a conflict. On the other hand, repeating a confidential matter, or simply a matter that will sow discord gives satan a foothold to oppose love.

Why would anyone do that? For some, it is a way to build a connection with another, however cheap, and gives them a short-term emotional payoff, though with a long-term consequence. Many who engage in this behavior would like to forego such action but lack the self-discipline to refrain. Others don’t see any moral problem at all with the activity. They are the foolish tools of the evil one.

If you see that you are often tempted to repeat confidential matters for any reason at all, ask the Lord to instead make you an instrument of peace, one who fosters love between people by letting incendiary information stop with you, giving satan no way in to “separate close friends.”

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Proverbs 17:9

#1 “Whoever would foster love…”

Is this not one of the main jobs of the representative of Jesus? Many Christians dream about ways to bring love into the world, all the while missing a simple way to accomplish it.

#2 “…covers over an offense,”

Chances to be offended abound, especially for one who is sensitive to any perceived slight. The first thing necessary is a strongly rooted identity in Christ Jesus, rather than in the opinions of other people. Those that don’t have this are likely to run and tell another friend when they have been upset, especially if it involves that friend. Rather than fostering love, this creates hard feelings while strengthening one’s own ill feelings.

#3 “but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

How sad it is that something such as this could come between close friends. See what a powerful weapon gossip is in the hands of Satan? Rather than fostering love, this has fostered hatred. If this is a difficult area for you, learn who you are in Christ, and ask him to put in you a desire to foster love and not hate.