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 God, please come by here at this time and help us as we seek to do Your will, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We have come to the last day of the year 2009! Praise God, by His grace, we made it! We have also come to the end of of our Scripture under consideration. Let us see what we can gleam from it that will help us to make a triumphant entrance into the year 2010.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.“ The fear spoken of here is not a feeling of dread, but rather a feeling of reverence, to hold in awe. We usually run away from, or stay away from, the people that we fear. On the other hand, we tend to respect, and readily obey the person that we revere, or hold in awe. We enjoy being in their presence. Of course, both feelings, that of fear or reverence, come as a result of knowing the person who inspires the feeling.
Feelings of love and admiration oftentimes accompany the feeling of reverence. I have said before, and I sustain, that no one can get to know God without loving Him! The true God inspires love. Unfortunately, some of the pictures of God that have been painted on our minds, have been defective. Even more sad, is the fact, that these pictures of God were impressed upon our minds at a time when the mind was most impressionable. But the Good News is, that we can get to know the true God for ourselves, and find peace, ““Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you” (Proverbs 22: 21).
Therefore, a wonderful way to begin the year 2010, is by getting to know God for yourself. Knowing about Him is second-hand information, which can become distorted by the time it gets to you. You want first-hand information! You want to “taste and see” for yourself, “that the LORD is good,” and that every, and any, man, woman, boy, or girl, who trusts in Him is blessed! You want to sit at His feet, and look into His face, during your quiet time alone with Him, and receive all the loving instruction that is given to those who have come to know the LORD, and have put their trust in Him!
Because each new year is like a fork in the road, there are decisions we will need to make. We can choose to get to know the LORD and reverence Him. Or, we can despise wisdom and discipline. According to the wiseman, that would put us in the category of fools. Now that is not good! Because the Scriptures’ definition of a fool is the following: “The fool says in his heart, ‘ “There is no God.” ‘ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14: 1). That is not a pretty picture! But then, no picture is pretty if God is not in it!
Notice that those who the Wiseman refer to as fools, despise wisdom and discipline! And what is the result? “They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Many who might be struggling with habits and behaviors, that are not healthy or wise, need the help of God to bring structure and discipline to their lives. They need Him in order to overcome the corruption, or “vile deeds” that is characteristic of the person who does not know God.
For the year 2010, let us determine, by the grace of God, that we will get to know and love and serve Him with all our heart, and that by His grace, we will lead wiser and more disciplined lives!
Have a very Happy, and Blessed, New Year!