Reading
SAA Notes
Verses 13-16 all major on the heart – a happy heart, a discerning heart, a cheerful heart. Verse 19 is one to laugh over. A wise man is not easily put off by a few difficulties.
SJA Notes
* All-Seeing God, our hearts lie open before You, the intent of our hearts is fully known by You.
“The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
The idea of _instruction_ is such an important part of Proverbs.
Wisdom is being able to take instruction. Folly is rejecting instruction.
Previously Solomon has pointed us to the truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
We see that in the fear of God we gain wisdom – By the very fact that we have and are affected by that fear.
This is a fundamental truth to grab hold of – That we need to fear the Lord.
He is the God who opened up the earth and swallowed the camp of Korah in His wrath. He is the God who threw fiery blazing meteor strikes down on Sodum and Gomorrah. He is the God who will return as King, the Rider on the White Horse, treading down the winepress of His fury.
However.
He is also the God who calmed the raging storm, stilling the winds and quieting the waves. He healed the woman many years bleeding and raised Jairus’ daughter up. For His friend Lazarus He waited until death came to show His saving power – That death was not the end.
He is the God who for our sake, us mortal and broken and living as enemies rejecting Him – He poured out His just wrath on Himself, God in the Person of the Son becoming curse for us, hung on a tree. That we might be free from the power of death, saved from our sin and the judgement upon it.
This is the God we are to fear!
He is the dear Heavenly FATHER to His people. He is our King, Jesus, the SON. And He is our friend, the HOLY GHOST, always with us and working for our good.
We are to hear with a holy fear, reverent and obediently kneeling before Him, coming to Him, casting our cares on Him, asking Him for help.
In the act of working out this fear, of wrestling with what it means – We are being instructed in wisdom.
* Almighty God,
Please teach us to fear You, more and more as the final day draws near.
Instruct us in Your wisdom, please Father in Heaven.
Please show us Jesus today.
Amen.