Thursday, January 23

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014

Genesis 46:1–47:31

Matthew 15:1–28

Psalm 19:1–14

Proverbs 4:14–19

 

 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

                be pleasing in your sight;

                O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

 

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

                shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

                they do not know what makes them stumble.” (Proverbs 4:18,19)

 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

 

 

Many successful enterprises have begun around offering solutions for people’s challenges or even by creating the recognition that their products would enhance one’s quality of life.  Those indispensable products or solutions make us question:  “How did I ever live without this?”

 

Have you ever considered approaching our life-ministry and outreach to our community in this manner?  What places does the church hold in serving our friends and neighbors by bringing forth godly wisdom and grace?  When you study our predominant culture in Fairfield County, what shortcomings or needs do you see?  What hungers or thirsts, metaphorically speaking, are left unfulfilled by the world’s solutions?

 

After reflecting on these questions, I would like to suggest that our community is suffering horribly for want of godly wisdom.  While the world’s wisdom urges a self-seeking, self-preservationist longing for instant gratification, the Scriptures teach almost directly the opposite.  Instead of jealously seeking to be understood, the Bible encourages us to put others’ interests (and understanding) above our own (Philippians 2:1–5).  The world’s wisdom bears fruit in a hollow, narcissistic existence that promises fleeting happiness but little lasting joy.  It reminds me of cotton candy:  immediately satisfying and sweet but diminishingly palatable over time.

 

While we ultimately wish to introduce our friends and neighbors to the Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that sharing godly wisdom may provide a helpful door to sharing the Good News of the Gospel.  That is, godly wisdom, profitable in all seasons, may promote a healthy thirst for more of God’s goodness.

 

“Blessed are those who find wisdom,

those who gain understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver

and yields better returns than gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 2:13–15)

 

With this in mind, how may we become better able to share godly wisdom with an unrooted world?  First, as Solomon points out in Proverbs, we must ourselves hunger for wisdom.  We must recognize that, while knowledge and intelligence hold some value, wisdom bears lasting fruit that may multiply God’s goodness.  In the Lord Jesus Himself, we find the model for living out godly wisdom, particularly in the accounts of His interactions with the apostles, the Pharisees, and the crowds.  As Pastor Scott has explained, Jesus taught His disciples through the rabbinic method, which involved some discourse, some show-and-tell, and some active doing.

 

As Travis noted in his latest entry, Jesus posed insightful questions, both to deflect accusations and to bring forth the other parties’ true motivations.  He illustrates that proper questions may lay bare the heart, much more powerfully than generalizations or judgments could.

 

Also, notice that wisdom implies a relational mindset.  The Book of Proverbs consistently mentions the role of wisdom in promoting healthy interactions with parents, children, spouses, employers, and employees.  Wisdom encourages a giving attitude and a care to honor others in our dealings.

 

How may you personally grow in wisdom in 2014?  Where will you seek out this wisdom?  Whom may you bless through application of this wisdom?  How are the people in your circle of influence “hungry,” even if they may not acknowledge it, for this wisdom?  How will you reach them?

 

 

Lord Jesus, we desperately need to understand Your wisdom and its application better in 2014.  We seek to live intentionally, with a focus on loving and serving hurting, empty people by offering truth and wisdom that we learn from Your Word and Your example.  Please make us into mighty warriors and ambassadors of Your character in a dark world.  In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

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