The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV.
Merciful Father and God, please remain with us throughout our study, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
Once again, this devotional is dedicated, in a special way, to my young friends. I have decided to linger a little while longer in this passage to see what else the Lord will say to us. Yesterday, we based our study on the premise, that, knowing, in, and by, itself, is not enough. It must be applied adequately! It is said, and rightly so, that wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. We may know that a medication is good for us, but unless we take that medication according to the indications, it may do us no good. It could even harm us!
I know that from experience! Many years ago I had a really bad cough. I began taking a medication with very good results. I concluded: if the prescribed dosage is helping me this much, then an increased amount should help me even more. Right? Wrong! It made the situation worse. Needless to say, I went back to the prescribed dosage, but it took much longer for me to begin to feel better again. I had not applied my knowledge correctly, and as a consequence, my knowledge did not produce the desired results. I did not act wisely.
Remember when God gave Solomon this extraordinary wisdom, it was given in response to a specific request from Solomon: ” ‘ “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours” ‘ ” (7-9, emphasis provided)? What a powerful prayer of humility! God gave Solomon, and He is willing, and able, to give us, wisdom in abundance, as well: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1: 5, emphasis provided). He gave Him wisdom in great measure, which Solomon used, not only to lead God’s people, but through the application of that wisdom, he also became quite successful.
According to this introduction to the book of Proverbs, Solomon said, that, among other purposes, these sayings were for the attaining of wisdom and discipline! The two go hand in hand. Now discipline does not always feel good! But if it is allowed to do its work – discipline, rightly applied, will bring about some wonderful results! The opposite is also true – wisdom, without adequate discipline, can produce a harvest of regret and remorse, as in the case of Solomon. Listen to the way he lived his life: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor” (Ecclesiastes 2: 10, emphasis provided).
Now listen to his laments: “The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1: 1-3)? “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (2: 11). How can someone who had everything a human heart could desire become so disenchanted with life? Nothing meant anything, and Everything meant nothing! He saw life as meaningless! Honestly, what else could be expected? When we look at the way he lived his life, it is really not such a mystery at all! There was a lack of discipline in his life! And wisdom without discipline, is like a bomb waiting to explode – ignited by indiscretion!
My dear young friends, sometimes mom and dad may sound as if they are talking in “riddles of the wise.” And they are!There are times when what they are saying does not make any sense whatsoever, to you; but pay attention to them. They have your best interest at heart! They have lived twice the amount of years you have lived – or more! They have seen behind the scenes. They speak “words of insight.” They are trying to help you not to ever see life as “meaningless!” They know that wisdom is not enough – you also need discipline!
We will continue. Have a Happy Sabbath!
NOTE: To my darling daughter, my baby, Renee – Have a very Happy Birthday my love, and may God abundantly bless you! We are very proud of you. Much love, from all of us!