Today's Reading....

How about a bit in Proverbs today?...

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7

Solomon's desire for wisdom was his uplift. Ironically, his lack of following his own advice was his down fall. That is neither here nor there where these verses are concerned. These verses accomplish several things. First, they introduce the author and his purpose. In so doing we begin the process of gleaning some of the vast knowledge that God granted Solomon.

The very simple reasons why Solomon wrote these Proverbs are small glimpses into the man that Solomon was and why he searched so diligently for wisdom. These are qualities that we should emulate at every turn. Knowing wisdom, receiving instruction of wisdom and justice. These are the marks of a wise man. Isn't that a mark we want others to see in us?

Then he tells us where to begin. The fear of the Lord. It seems so easy yet we balk at it so much. How difficult we make it to surrender to God's superiority and sovereignty! It seems so easy to logically say, "He's God and I'm not." Putting it into practice is where I falter most. I can readily express my stance on the Rock but I find myself on the sand so much.

My concentration is going to be to start at the beginning. To find the wisdom that God has for me by beginning to surrender to Him in respect, reverence, and fear.

Love to all. Goodnight.