Over the last couple of years, it is hard to look around and not see all sorts of foolishness and irrationality that has reared its head all around us. We have been through so much as a collective Church. We have seen crazy on all sides of nearly every issue that has arisen since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. We have seen a ridiculous rise in gas prices and financial inflation in nearly every sector of our economy. We have even seen a significant war break out between Russia and Ukraine. And yet, despite all that we have seen, there is one thing that has not changed (and never will), and that’s God’s Word, and specifically as we will continue to see in our new series “Wise Up,” the Proverbs.
From the moment we open to the center of the Bible’s Wisdom Literature, we see its purpose right out of the gate in Proverbs 1:2-7:
To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Put another way, Proverbs gives us a glimpse of how to remain prudent and sensible in a crazy and confused world. The key, of course, is whether or not we are willing to apply what is so plainly instructed of us.
When you take a step back and break it down, the reality of wisdom is that it touches every part of our lives. Through the first couple of weeks of our series, this has already included two areas of relevance to all of us: our work life and our finances. In both cases, God’s Word has given us more than enough to live in a way that not only glorifies Him but sets us up well for a lifetime of sustainable success. What we have already discovered in Proverbs makes us better workers (and bosses) and better stewards of all that God gives us to manage. And what we will discover in future weeks is that God’s wisdom reaches ever further.
Proverbs has so much more to say about everything from family, to the responsibilities of men and women, to the importance of growth and learning, to addiction, and even to the vast array of emotions we feel (and act on) daily. The acuteness of thought and practicality God gifts us when we listen to Him is never in short supply. God will never let us down. For as we are reminded in Proverbs 3:5-8:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Everything else is just folly.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AS WE “WISE UP” IN PROVERBS:
- What are some of the areas of your life you need God to give you more wisdom and insight into? And when will you start praying for Him to do so?
- What are some of the Proverbs, and its respective verses, that best resonate with you? How can what God instructs us in the Proverbs spoken through Solomon, and others, be applied today?
- What wisdom principle has best served you throughout your life?
- In what ways do you need to know more about Jesus Christ to better understand the Proverbs and the very character of God?
—————————————
‘WISE UP’ SERIES IN REVIEW
August 7, 2022 –“The Wisdom in Mentorship” (Proverbs 3:5-6; 9:9; 12:11; 12:24; 13:20: 27:17)
July 31, 2022 – “The Wisdom of Belief” (Proverbs 4:1-23)
July 24, 2022 – “When Wisdom Calls and You Refuse to Answer” (Proverbs 1:20-29; 2:1-8; 5:11-14; 7; 8:13; 13:10; 16:18; 18:1)
July 17, 2022 – “Wisdom for the Man, Wisdom for the Woman” (Proverbs 1:2; 3:31-32; 4:23; 5:3-8; 6:25-33; 7; 8:33-36; 11:22; 12:10; 12:22; 19:19; 25:17; 31:10-31)
July 10, 2022 – “A Family DIY Project” (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 11:29; 14:1, 14:26; 15:27)
July 3, 2022 – “The Search for Wisdom” (Proverbs 1:10; 3:5-6; 10:17; 14:12; 15:22; 16:31-32; 18:2
June 26, 2022 – “A Biblical Response to Anger” (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 13:13; 14:29-30)
June 19, 2022 – “Becoming Money Wise” (Proverbs 3:9-10; 15:22, 31; 17:18; 21:13, 20; 22:9, 26-27; 23:6-7; 28:19)
June 12, 2022 – “Living Wisely in a Foolish World” (Proverbs 5:22; 6:6-11; 13:13; 14:31; 20:10; 21:6; 22:16)