Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Our Shield / RA

How might the Lord store up sound wisdom for the upright?

Well, sound wisdom is protection for the godly person, right? Sound wisdom defends us against the attacks of satan and the temptations of sin because it shows us God is worthy to be trusted no matter what may come.

Our text says how the Lord is a shield to those who walk in righteousness.

Instead of “shield”, the King James version uses the translation “Buckler” which was a smaller round shield held by a handle or worn on the forearm. It was light weight and could be moved into position quickly. Today one may wear something similar on a belt which we call a buckle. That’s just an interesting side note, however in his wisdom, God does store up an arsenal of godly weapons for those who in faith bow in honesty before him.

So far Proverbs 2 has been talking about how wisdom comes from the Lord and how from his mouth come knowledge and understanding… This is what the shield of the upright is composed of… the wisdom and knowledge and understanding of God… the word of the Lord. It protects us from the evil one… Trusting his word brings us salvation.

Psalm 18:35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.

His word protects us from the bullets and swords and arrows that come our way.

Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

One more:

Psalm 18:1 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Amen!

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Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

God's Word & Creation

So far we have seen Wisdom referred to allegorically as a woman… Now we are finding a bit more about her origin. Solomon tells us that the Lord is the one who gives wisdom.

Ok, let’s take a look at this phrase: “from his mouth”.

“from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”

Remember in Genesis 1 how God in all his wisdom, knowledge and understanding spoke.

Genesis 1:3: And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.

And Psalms 33:9 says: For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

The universe was created by his word.

Hebrews 11:3 says: By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

So we’ve looked at how God in all his wisdom, understanding and knowledge is the one who gives these very things to man… they come from his mouth… and then we looked at how God’s wisdom and the words of his mouth are connected to Creation.

But the thing is… there is a more personal connection God gives us that links us to his Word and wisdom and even Creation.

The Word actually became flesh:

John chapter 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. … 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is truly amazing!

Jesus; God’s only Son is the Word of God through whom the Universe was created and he came to earth as a man.

This one through whom all wisdom dwells shoes himself to ignorant stupid self centered mankind.

Again this is amazing!

It was through this same Jesus God said “let there be light” and he came down to earth to make a new creation in us.

In 2nd Corinthians 4:6 Paul makes this direct parallel to creation: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

So it is through Jesus and God’s inspired word of the Bible about Jesus that works in us by Gods Holy Spirit to bring about a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Speaking of God James 1:18 says: Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

As we read when God shines in our heart it illuminates the beauty of Jesus from God’s word... how he is the greatest treasure and good news for our soul... it says how he gives us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

It’s the illuminating of Jesus for who he is that transforms us...

That’s why as we see more and more of Jesus this new creation is transformed also more and more as we become more like Jesus.

2nd Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

I know we’ve come a long way with the text we read in Proverbs... but let me read it again and then close.

Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

/RA

It’s interesting to me how God designed our knowledge and understanding of him to be in relation to our following what we know of him. We don't understand everything first and then decide whether to follow Christ. Romans chapter 1 shows us that God has already shown all of mankind a clear path pointing toward him as the one to seek after. As every good compass points north, all God's creation points to him. His prophets; his laws, the stories played out in the lives of people in the Bible like Abraham and Daniel and Joseph and so many more... Every bit of his word points us to Jesus. His Holy Spirit agrees and also points us to Jesus.

If we truly have a heart to seek him and his will... to follow after the truth he has given us... he will guide us to distinguish between truth and error that we may know and walk close to him.

In John 7:17 Jesus said: If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

And at the same time while Creation and Gods word and His Holy Spirit point us to truth... our personal affection with sin... like a magnet pulls the needle of our compass from true North toward deception.

So... here in today's text I think as Solomon speaks about wisdom, he is also speaking about the Lord. He is calling out to us always in a world full of noises and we are to respond by calling out back to him. That calling out is one way we seek him; and when we do... as today’s passage says: "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.".

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Never My Love On Ukulele (Uke) Key OF C RA by Podcast startup by Robin Aylor

Proverbs 2:2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

Remember in chapter one of Proverbs that Wisdom is already calling out in the street, in the markets… even at the entrance of the city gates. 

And so among all the many crazy noises of the world, Solomon wants his son to tune his ear to hear Wisdom because wherever he goes she will be calling out and Solomon wants him to listen to her. 

 

Like the little girl who got separated from her family in the Mall. There were people all around her… All sizes of people… tall, wide and even short but she was among the smallest and she couldn’t see around everyone. Also there were all kinds of noises. So many people were talking and she couldn’t hardly make out any of it because it was all mambo jumbo mixed up.Every once in a while she thought she heard someone calling out her name… Eventually she tuned her ear to the sound and was able to separate it from the other noises. “I think it’s coming from over there” she told herself.

Does she stay quiet? What do you think? No, of course not! She begins calling out at the top of here little lungs “I’m over here! I’m over here!”.

 

It is similar with Wisdom and all her attributes like insight and understanding are calling out. But this is a crazy world and there are voices talking everywhere… and more than that, many are wanting our attention and so they are calling us at the same time… But we must be desperate to listen… our life depends on it… Wisdom… I hear you faintly… “I’m here!” “I’m here!”

 

This passage is full of action phrases. It implores us to… using phrases like: (call out) as we mentioned, it says: (making your ear attentive), and: (inclining your heart), and: (raise your voice), also: (seek it like silver) and (search for it as for hidden treasures) 

 

The greatest treasures are always worth pursuing with gritty action like rolling up your sleeves and digging down into the grunge. Great treasure is worth it! A treasure hunter does not worry if he gets his hands dirty… When your metal detector starts calling or rather beeping you dig with all your gusto until you and your great treasure are together. 

 

Jesus said in Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

Fathers Be Intentional

RA

Wow! What a great model this verse is for us in every time period and culture on earth! As a father, Solomon is encouraging his son with a one-on-one man-up time. God shows us throughout scripture how the man should step up and lead his family in godliness.

Ephesians 6:4 says: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

When we have gotten into a routine and established standards with which our family now views us, it can be hard to break out of the mold. If husbands and wives do not pray together; if there is no intentional family prayer or Bible time; if there is not Spiritual discussion… then at least practically there is little that classifies us a Christian family. I’m not saying this family does not know Christ and that positionally they are 100% his through Jesus; I’m saying if this is so then there must be fruit somewhere, and there needs to be a practical growth in family spirituality in Christ.

So break out of those preconceived routines. Be intentional! Begin new routines. Men instruct your children in the Lord and discipline them with love; pray with your family and again personally with your spouse. Consider reading the Bible together out loud. Maybe start with the gospel of John. Pick a small section of time you can all be together daily and maybe even write down in a journal what you and your family discuss from the text as a simple bible study and conclude with a prayer. Start something in Christ no matter how small. Begin laying down a legacy that can be handed down to your children and their children for years and years to come; and as you do, your lives will be transformed as you grow into the likeness of your Savior.

Proverbs 15:19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

Highway Through The Briar Patch / RA

Have you ever had to walk through a thicket of thorns vines? Maybe through the woods while hunting or trying to retrieve a golf ball or Frisbee that made its way into the heart of the bramble? Mercy there are a lot of thorns on these vines! It doesn’t take long before your walk slows down to a literal crawl and it hurts the arms and legs as you move. It hurts your fingers every time you try and pull a thorn vine out of your way. Every step is marked with a groan.

That’s how the sluggard feels with the every day things in life. Every task is hedged by thorns.

Oh no, I gotta get up; how horrible this is… Woe is me… Its too cold to shower… Why me? It’ll be ok to wait and feed the dog after I get home from work… My boss hates me… fellow employees are stupid… Home at last; the couch… turn on the tv, nothing good... my muscles hurt… I ate to many snacks, my tummy hurts, … lights out… Oh no, I gotta get up; how horrible this is… running late… My life is so difficult, unfair, full of misery and hardship... Ooops, just remembered I forgot to feed the dog yesterday… Boy I stink, I’ll take a shower when I get home. Or, maybe I’ll just sleep.

Has life become hedges of thorns that keep you from fulfilling the purpose God has for you? If so, you may be a sluggard. I can Identify… I’ve spent plenty of time caged in by the thorns…

One can move a lot better on a level highway than through a thicket of briars.

Something has to change… focus has to switch from centering on self and thorns to seeing the glory of God and loving others.

Since the fall, mankind is born out of fellowship with God and our purpose is turned inward. Even then God spoke of the seed of the woman who would be the only hope for mankind and our sin. He would die in our place and raise that he might raise us in body and in victory over sin in many ways. Our focus must now be on him. A focus that says he is our guaranteed hope… he is our delight… our joy… our good news…

Then we have a reason to stand up in this broken briar infested world and rejoice!… And so we go… we go and share the good news of the beauty of Jesus and his love to others.

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

 

Outstretched Hands On A Dead End Road

To be slighted, insulted, mocked, called crazy and even evil when you are trying to help someone and show them love is a difficult thing. To keep on calling with stretched out hand saying: Turn around! When Wisdom calls out she reminds me of Hank Snow and Bob Dylan who sang: You’re going “Ninety miles an hour down a dead end street”. So stop and turn around won’t you!!!

 

Wisdom stretches out her hand and yells: The bridge is out!!! The fool hearted person thinks “did I hear something? It was only the wind”, or "it must have been that crazy lady again"; and they continue speeding down the steep hill not paying attention to Wisdom's words.

 

As Wisdom has stretched out her hand beckoning us, Jesus who was insulted, mocked, called crazy, told he had a demon, whipped  and crucified, extended his hands on a cross as he died for our trespasses; then getting the last word over death for all who listen to him as he rose in victory on the third day. 

 

God is a just judge and whether you think him foolish fiction refusing his love or whether you believe his words and find hope in him. His final say for you life will be seen in how you respond to his only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

Do you see his hands outstretched for you. He wants to get your attention. Right now he says child, you’re going 90 miles an hour down a dead end street. You’re coming up on calamity. It’s right up ahead! Hurry! Turn around… turn from sin toward me… Trust me. Trust in my righteousness for your soul.

 

Will you see Jesus as a crazy lunatic or the good news your soul needs?

Proverbs 1:23 (ESV) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

 

True Enlightenment

Robin A

As the oldest of four children I can relate to Wisdom's talk of reproof.  If I didn’t turn at my Mother or Fathers scolding I really got it. I believe my younger brother and sisters received less and less spankings as time went on… Maybe I was orneryer than my siblings… That’s a bit hard for me to believe… but who knows, maybe. What I got was a lecture some times along with a paddling via a ping pong paddle or switch from on top of the fridge… Sometimes it was a belt or when nothing was close by a hardy whipping with the hand. Child abuse you ask!!! Hahahaa, I think not. I was the one abusing their love and authority. They disciplined me because they loved me and wanted what was best for me. They wanted me to have great joy in being a part of the family. The more I was obedient to my parents the greater sense of belonging came… along with understanding of what a family really was.

 

Wisdom’s voice of reproof is a vocalization of love. She is calling for those who are straying to find shelter and safety. She wants us to have a good bed to sleep on and a good meal to eat. She wants us to find not lust and destruction but peace, acceptance and relationship. 

 

Notice this one little verse speaks of three things and they align up with the way God works in us through Salvation taught throughout the Bible.

Turn at my reproof (That’s what repentance is… Turning around and going the opposite way from sin towards God.)

Then our text says: I will pour out my spirit to you;

Who is this allegorical woman known as Wisdom who pours out her spirit to us? In John 7:38 (ESV) Jesus said: Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

 

Our text says: I will make my words known to you.

 

Who is this one called Wisdom that enlightens our hearts and minds and makes their words known to us?

 

In John 16:13 Jesus said: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

 

Thank you Lord for giving us ears to hear your call, for quickening our understanding by your Spirit, and giving us eyes to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

What makes you think things will change tomorrow?

This is a good question that the lady Wisdom is asking, and one we need to consider. How long will you hate knowledge? I think knowledge spoken of here which fools hate points to the ways of God. His ways are immeasurable and unattainable in our own power. Romans 11:33 says: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

 

Fools hate Gods ways because it goes against their ways… And it shows he is God and not them… And they cannot attain his title of God no matter how they try and this infuriates them.

God is asking us how long will you be simple minded? Why do you choose to stay in first grade over and over for your whole life and yet want to be the teacher? Let me teach you truth! Why do you want to play with mud pies instead of letting me cook you a feast? How long will you repeat the lies of the world to yourself and others? God is saying Trust me! Believe in me!

 

The famous folk singer Tracy Chapman sang these lyrics: “If not now then when?” If you plan on waiting till tomorrow before you come to me, what makes you think things will change tomorrow? The thing that is likely to change is that your heart will become harder and harder so friend… please don’t wait.

 

Like the children of Israel wandering in the dessert we mustn’t waist large portions of our life saying “not today”. Hebrews 3 says: 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 

 

Today Wisdom calls. Today God the Holy Spirit calls us to come and believe, to find hope in the Messiah Jesus. May we not waste our life away in non belief, much less eternity but rather find true joy in Christ today. Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your heart but delight in him as the good news for your soul.