Learning Wisdom

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“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Proverbs 15:33

 

Proverbs 15 is a treasure of wisdom, so my first thought is to encourage the reading and meditation on the entire chapter before reading any further. This final verse of chapter 15 is a culmination of sorts of the wisdom contained in it. Notice that the fear of the Lord is “instruction in wisdom.” Without it, the words of the wise will bounce off of us rather than penetrating our minds and hearts.

Just because we have a pithy saying at our disposal doesn’t mean we know how to use it in truth. Having money without wisdom will insure that the money doesn’t last long. Having a quick wit without wisdom will insure that the will to carry out a prudent lifestyle never materializes. Only the fear of the Lord will insure that a person will become wise.

To fear the Lord is to respect his laws, his ways and himself. The moral laws are some of his laws. The laws of nature are also his laws. The laws of wisdom are his too. To respect the laws of wisdom involves digging into them to know what they are, to respect the boundaries that they describe and define, and to apply them to our lives personally.

The person who humbles themselves before the Creator God, who is Jesus Christ through whom all things were made, is the one who fears him. The one who honors God as the Sovereign Lord will be honored. The Lord says, “Those who honor me I will honor.” (1 Samuel 2:30) It may seem like those who dishonor God’s Word, God’s Laws and God’s people are the ones who are highly honored in this day and age. Rest assured, God will have the last word on who is honored and who is dishonored, and we will have all eternity to bask in the light of his glory and honor.

Sovereign Lord, while the world around us continues to turn against your reality, your laws and your Word, we acknowledge that what you say is real and true. We honor the wisdom of your ways, your design and your plan. Help us to reject the foolishness that we see all around us. Teach us to become wise.Amen.


Devoted to keeping Jesus Christ the main thing.

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