November 5, 2011 (Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “And this is what He (God) says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'” Job 28:28 NLT
Observation: People know where to mine silver and how to refine gold. They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock. They know how to dam up rivers and streams to create lakes. They know how to build super computers that enable people to communicate with others thousands of miles away. They know how to build great ships that sail around the world, and great vessels that travel into outer space. But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? God alone understands the way to wisdom; He knows where it can be found. He says to all humanity, ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom and to forsake evil is real understanding.’
Application: We claim to live in the era of “no fear” yet the evidence of our fears is apparent for all to see. Will the stock market crash? Is the tumor growing inside me cancer? Will I have enough money to pay my mortgage this month? Is my job secure? Will I ever be able to retire and enjoy the easy life? A lot of fear surrounds us, but is it the right kind of fear? Our culture teaches us to fear all the wrong things and leads us away from the one fear that can rescue us and lead us to true wisdom, the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and to forsake evil is real understanding. If a person continues to walk in wickedness they have neither true wisdom nor real understanding.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings You give. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for the true wisdom You provide through my healthful fear of You. Help me forsake all evil so that I can experience real understanding. Give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard, in Jesus name, Amen!