For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Prov. 22
This morning I noticed yet another one of those subtle little things that I have never really paid enough attention to. Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility, the fear of the LORD, results in wealth, honor, and life.” That makes all kinds of sense because it is in humility that we recognize God’s complete sovereignty and our total insignificance. Humility is what shows us when we are attempting to place ourselves in or above God’s position. And it is what helps us accept that the results of such efforts are no less than disastrous. The Bible states in several other places that the fear of the LORD is the beginning or wisdom. So, since humility is the fear of the LORD, we can make a simple substitution and say that Humility is the beginning of wisdom. It seems when we know our place we are much more likely to make good decisions!
Prov. 23
“Buy – and do not sell – truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23). How do you buy such things? They belong to God and He gives them for free by His grace. Ahh, but often seeking and following God come at a great cost. So, though we can’t exactly lay down cash or trade property for these things, we can let go of things we think are valuable in order to take hold of them. And we can pursue them over earthly riches, power, or fame. We can pass up opportunities, put jobs at risk, and turn away from enticing things when they ask us to compromise truth, wisdom, instruction, or understanding. Yes, I think to buy these things means what Jesus told us in His Sermon on the Mount. “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matt. 6:33).
Prov. 24
“Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we didn’t know about this’, won’t He who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t He who protects your life know? Won’t He repay a person according to his work?” (Prov. 24:11-12). We are meant to give others what God has freely and undeservedly given to us. This includes caring about other’s lives, both for now and for eternity. If God protects us, shouldn’t we make an effort to protect others?
This concept is certainly not a problem for people we love. Our families, friends, and even folks we admire for whatever reason are easy to care about. Though I dare say even then we care more about here and now and less about later than we should. My real problem, however, comes with people outside of these categories. I don’t know that we, as humans, have the scope to actively care about everybody we see. But God does put people in our path; He gives us opportunities.
So I’d say it’s the people I know and interact with that I don’t particularly like that I struggle with the most in this aspect. Not that I necessarily dislike these people. It’s just that I don’t find them all that pleasant to be around. Yet God has put them in my path. And if I have reason to believe that they are stumbling toward eternal slaughter, shouldn’t I care? Am I not just as undeserving of God’s grace as they are? How do I even sincerely pray for someone I would be just as happy never to see again? It’s a difficult question; a difficult thing to grapple with. And I guess it starts with humbly asking God to give me a heart like His.