The thing about wisdom & humility

Verse of the Day Day 1

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Wisdom). The fool despises wisdom & instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

Today’s verse

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

Proverbs 2 was a bit better than Proverbs 1- which was kinda like the introduction or the forward of a book. Even chapter was like the prolouge.

Of course there was a lot before and after that.

To get this wisdom, I need to seek it as silver, search for it like treasure.

Wisdom is a treasure.

Wisdom will keep me from sin, keep me from wickedness and evil people.

Wisdom leads toward righteousness and the way of the Lord.

Lord, I want to be wise.

And not in the sense I want to be seen as wise, thought as wise, or feel smart.

I think I often think that way when I think of being wise.

No, today as I read and reflect on today and yesterdays reading, I see I want to be wise because I don’t want to be a fool. I don’t want to sin. I don’t want to turn from You, leave You.

And to be wise, I need to be humble.

I need to see I am not wise.

I am not wise in myself.

I need help.

I need others to instruct me.

And I need Your Words…from Your Word.

You instruct me.

You lead me.

You guide me.

Not my own wisdom.

Not my insights.

Not what I think or feel.

Not my experiences.

You.

Not because I have gained much knowledge

Or read so many books.

Or have seen success.

I need to be humble before You

To allow You to speak

And let You lead me & guide me.

As I have been reading Exodus, I could be like the people of Israel who look simply and what they have and have not… who like at the people around them and what they do, how they operate, how they worship, how they have a king, etc. I could do things the way the world does it… or I could follow You.

Lord, may I follow You.

And I may think I have it all together. I could think I know what I am doing and I don’t need instruction and help. And I could feel insulted for how I am passed over, how I am not thought of, how I am not respected and want to show the world just how great and smart and knowledgable and wise I am… or I could walk in humility… and receive instruction, and let You lead me.

Lord, clothe me in humility.

May I do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with my God.

Lord, I need You.

And I am not so strong, not so smart I can do this on my own, by myself, without others.

Clothe me in humility.

Allow me to receive instruction.

May I not be unwise, but wise… honoring & glorifying You.

The one where goals get in the way of your goals

It's been said "The Main thing is to keep the Main thing the Main thing."

i've discovered recently that I’ve let my goals become my goal, instead of my goal.

In short, i let goals keep me from my goals.

i make goals to accomplish a bigger goal, but get so focused on the smaller goal, that i lose sight of what the big goal is.

Let me give you an example.

I want to encourage my wife.

So, I plan a date. I think thru a lot of ideas. I carefully plan out the details. I include fun, creative things and romantic things, and encouraging things and godly things. I plan it all out.

Then the date comes… and something comes up. Soo isn’t feeling well, or is tired or doesn’t appreciate something I plan.

And I get upset.

Or I push through.

Or I stress the whole time, trying to make everything work.

Initially, my goal was to encourage and love Soo.

But, then my goal became to plan the perfect date.

Or maybe it is to impress Soo.

I’ve also been known to get upset when I planning to take my parens out to eat, and they choose some dive of a restaurant to eat at.

I get lost in my goals, I lose sight of my GOAL

I think we can do this with people, we can do this with God.

The Pharisees, set up all sorts of rules, so they would be holy. They wanted to honor God.

At first.

Then, they got stuck by their rules.

They forgot why they were being so cautious. They forgot why they were doing what they were doing. They got lost in their rules, they lost sight of God.

We do similar things. We want to know God, so we read our Bible and have a Quiet time. Then, somehow, it is more important for us to have a quiet time than to connect with God.

We must sing a song, rather than worship.

We get so stuck on reading, we neglect loving.

Maybe in Evangelism too. We get so stuck on getting the message out, we forget the real goal is for the person to come to Christ- not just making a presentation. Or we’re so intent on being relevant and sensitive, we never get to the Gospel message.

The goal becomes the goal instead of the goal.

So, if you’re planning a date this Valentine’s Day, remember why you’re doing it.

If you’re spending time with God today, remember why.

Don’t let your goals, get in the way of your GOALS.

Keep the main thing, the main thing.