Serial Stupidity

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove the folly from him. (Pro 27:22)

In the Bible, being a fool is a moral failing. A fool is one who rejects God’s wisdom and makes evil, self-destructive choices. But, as this verse reveals, the very core of folly is the failure – or refusal – to learn from one’s mistakes. The book of Proverbs teaches us that sin has consequences. When I care so little about myself or others that I will continue to sin regardless of the consequences then I am truly a fool. My first reaction is to say, why would anyone do that? But then I realize I myself do it, over and over again. When I choose the pleasure of the moment I am being the fool. For a moment’s satisfaction I would trade a lifetime of consequences. I am thinking about gluttony here but it is just as true for anger, selfishness, pride or any other sin.  Lord, forgive me for my rampant foolishness. Teach me to walk in wisdom. Amen.

It's All About God

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Eccl 2:10-11)

In this passage Solomon recounts all his pleasures, possessions and accomplishments. If anybody ever had it made by the world’s standards it was Solomon. He was brilliant; he was king; he was wealthy beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. If any of us ever wondered whether a little more money, power or fame would make us happy – well, Solomon got there ahead of us and he has come back to report that the answer is “No!” If you ever thought you would be happier if you were smarter or better educated, the answer is also “No!” As Solomon tells the story of his life in the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes I am struck by how often he says “meaningless” and how seldom he mentions God. Despite his great wisdom, Solomon still had to learn the most important lesson of life the hard way: without God, nothing else matters. He tried everything, and by process of elimination he finally realized that it's all about God. Lord, remind me of that when I get caught up in life’s trials and temptations. You have given me a purpose – to love you and serve you, to share the gospel and advance your Kingdom here on earth. I don’t want to look back on my life and find that it was meaningless. Use me to your glory. Amen.

God's Law

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Ps 119:18)

Isn’t it interesting how often in everyday life the idea of “the law” carries a negative connotation? We say, “that’s against the law,” or “you might get in trouble with the law.” By contrast, in Scripture the law is wonderful and good. It is our sin nature that fools us into thinking sin is good and the law is bad. Our sin nature wants to answer to no authority. It wants to ignore all consequences of sin. Therefore, the fool sees God’s laws as unwelcome restraint, but the wise man sees them as signposts on the road to righteousness. Lord, teach me your ways and show me wonderful things in your law. I delight in your word. Train me in righteousness. You have given me a new heart that yearns for you. Teach and mold me to be pleasing to you in every way. Amen.

Fount of Wisdom

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Pro 1:5)

There is never a point at which we have learned all we need to learn from God and his Word. This verse from the introduction to the book of Proverbs reminds me why I read it every month. I suppose some would think it foolish to read something over and over again. And I would certainly be embarrassed to admit to you how many times I read Lord of the Rings when I was younger! But the Bible is different. It is God’s Book. Though written by human authors, every word was inspired by the Divine Author. It contains a depth of wisdom and understanding far beyond any other book. In a hundred readings we could not uncover it all. Every month a new verse leaps off the page and connects with some part of my present experience. Lord, thank you for the gift of your Word. Speak to me through its pages. May I never tire of reading it. Amen.

Timeless Wisdom

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, before the world began. (Pro 8:22-23)

Here wisdom personified is speaking, and we learn that wisdom has been around for all eternity. Before the creation of the world there was wisdom. What does that mean? Several things, I think. First, wisdom is one of the immutable attributes of God. It has always existed because God is wise, and he has always existed. Second, God formed the world by wisdom. Creation was wisely made, and everywhere we see his wisdom and his glory in it (though it is now marred by our sin). Third, this passage tells us that the world depends on wisdom, but wisdom does not depend on the world. Wisdom is timeless. It is not circumstantial. Right is always right. It is not popular to believe this today. Today people say “Well it depends,” and think themselves sophisticated and wise. Everything is contextual, they say.

Of course, being wise does depend on getting your facts straight. But too often when someone says “It depends,” they mean “It depends on me.” What I think; how I feel; what I want or think I need. Such thinking quickly leads us into pride, selfishness and delusion. True wisdom is based on God’s timeless truth which he has revealed in his Word. I need to listen to what God thinks, how God feels and what God wants. Only then will I be truly wise.

All Work and No Play

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. (Pro 23:4)

Most of us have to work hard for a living, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But there comes a time for some of us where we cross a line. Work itself becomes our main object - or the money we make from it - and it begins to crowd out every other good thing. We wind up sacrificing the health of our families, out spiritual lives and our own bodies on the altar of worldly success. I remember the first time I really began to understand that. It was 1986 and our entire extended family had made plans to spend Saturday at a special Texas Sesquicentennial Celebration (the 150th anniversary of Texas Independence). I was facing a project deadline and I decided at the last minute that I needed to work all day Saturday instead. My wife was very disappointed by my decision. She went on with the rest of the family and had a great time. But one thing she said stuck with me. “A year from now, you won’t even remember what you were working on today.” And you know what? She was right! But I sure could remember the fact that I missed a fun and memorable experience with my family.

The proverb says, “Have the wisdom to show restraint.” A wise man doesn’t make his job his idol.

Fool's Gold

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver. (Pro 16:16)

Why? For the simple reason that if you receive wisdom you get to keep it. A foolish person who gets rich will soon be poor again. Wisdom leads to right living, which is more profitable for the soul than great wealth.

Wisdom from Heaven

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

I'd like to think of myself as wise, but am I pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere? That’s a tall order! That kind of wisdom doesn’t happen naturally. That kind of wisdom comes from heaven. And it doesn’t come all at once. It comes gradually over time as I immerse myself in God’s word and surrender my heart to his Holy Spirit. In truth, I still have a long way to go. We all do. This kind of wisdom is not head knowledge, it is heart training. I may know about God, but I have a long way to go to be conformed to his image. Lord, train my heart to embrace your wisdom, so that my life will be a reflection of who you are.

Wise in Your Own Eyes

Do not be wise in your own eyes. (Pro 3:7a)

What causes a man to be wise in his own eyes? Pride. This pride takes two forms. First, intellectual pride, which happens when I start to think I’m pretty smart and have life all figured out. Second, spiritual pride, when I begin to imagine that my faith is strong and my walk is pure. Pride will always trip us up. (Pro 16:18) The antidote to pride is to keep my eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. The very phrase “wise in his own eyes” implies taking our focus off God and putting it on ourselves. I need to keep my eyes on Jesus to remind me who I have to thank for my gifts and abilities and to remind me how far I have yet to go to become like him.

A Healthy Balance

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone, for they will sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Pro 23:4-5)

We have a saying, “Easy come; easy go.” But it is also true that “Hard come; easy go.” All our hard-won wealth can vanish in an instant, and how foolish we will look if we have devoted our lives to acquiring it. We have another phrase we use about “working our fingers to the bone.” But for many of us today it might better be updated to “working our hearts to a heart attack” or “working our marriages to divorce.” How much do we forfeit in life when we make money and career our idols? The Bible says, “Have the wisdom to show restraint.”

Older and Wiser

And Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. (Gen 47:31b)

What a great image! That’s the kind of old man I want to be! Jacob was 147 years old at this time. I picture a wizened old man with a deeply lined face. He is hunched over his staff, his robe drawn close around him. His eyes are weak, but wisdom is reflected there. He has suffered many hardships and done many foolish things, but God has been faithful and has blessed him. Jacob wrestled with God in his youth, but in his old age he worships. With the wisdom of old age he knows well both the sovereignty and the benevolence of God. Lord, you are worthy of worship! You are the great and mighty King, the Ruler of all that is. You created us and sustain us. You know every hair on our heads and yet you love us. Praise you, Lord. Glory to you, Almighty God.

I think a lot us are like Jacob. When I was young, I wrestled with God. I challenged him and argued with him. I demanded that he explain himself to me. And I insisted that I would only come to him on my terms. Like Jacob, I found out that approach doesn’t work too well. When we wrestle with God we are out of our weight class! But we were young and stubborn and we had to find out the hard way. Finally we figured out that the only right way to approach God is in humble submission, with a worshipful heart. Now we spend the rest of our lives practicing to learn how to do that. After 147 years Jacob had it down pretty well. I only hope I can get there, too – a little quicker if possible!

A God who can be encompassed by human thought is no God at all.

Remedial Reading

…for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life. (Pro 1:3a)

Proverbs seems written especially for the young to learn wisdom – as a father might teach his son. But some of us older men still have great need of its teaching. I hope that it is never too late to “acquire a disciplined and prudent life.” I could use both discipline and prudence in great abundance. I suppose that is why it is a good idea to read Proverbs over and over again, twelve times a year. Lord, help me to learn discipline and prudence. Amen.

The Foundation of Wisdom

My son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you… and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding…then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Pro 2:1,3,5)

This passage directly tells us that if we want to be wise (“understand the fear of the Lord”) and know God we must devote ourselves to studying his word and to prayer. We don’t magically or instantly become wise, but as we lay up his word in our hearts and cry out to him day by day we slowly come to see things the way he sees them. And that is the foundation of all wisdom.

The Beginning of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Pro 9:10)

The fear of God teaches us to obey his commands, and obedience to his commands is the very definition of wisdom. God’s commands reflect both his great love toward us and his complete understanding of our circumstances. Thus the wise choice is always the obedient choice. God is the embodiment of truth and the Creator of all that is. Therefore, knowledge of him is the only way to gain a full understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Through our senses we can often learn the “what” and the “how” but only in the heart of God can we discover the “why”.

Walking into the Light

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Pro 4:18)

The wicked stumble on a dark path, bereft of true wisdom, but the righteous pursue God on a path that grows better lit the longer they travel on it. When you start on either path it is dark and hard to see. But as we begin to pursue God we see the way things really are more and more clearly. We learn wisdom. Thank you, Lord, for the light of your truth.

Two Sides to Every Story

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. (Pr 18:17)

Every month this verse catches my eye. It is such a practical bit of wisdom. Lord, help me to be fair in all my judgments. Remind me to seek out both sides of any dispute and withhold judgment until I have heard them. Give me the wisdom to see through deception and distortion, and the grace to give each person the benefit of the doubt.

Plan Ahead

Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but not find me. (Pr 1:28)

When a crisis arises, those who refused to be instructed in wisdom will seek for it but not find it. Wisdom is hard to acquire “on demand”. We must steep ourselves in biblical wisdom over a long period of time so that it is slowly absorbed. Then it will be available to us in a crisis. This is why it is good for me to read Proverbs over and over again month after month, even though most of the verses don’t apply to my situation right now. They are slowly becoming familiar to me so God can call them to my remembrance in my hour of need.

Don't Blow It

Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. (Num 14:73)

The Israelites blew it. They had their chance to enter the promised land, but they chickened out. There are a few great moments of decision in our lives, and the consequences can be dramatic. When God puts a choice before us, we cannot count on getting a second chance. Let us pray that we will rise to the occasion in that hour and choose the path the Lord has called us to travel.

Learning from Adversity

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. (Ps 119:67)

Why do bad things happen to good people? Here's one reason. God allows hardships and heartache to come into our lives to chastise us, and to train us to turn to him in good times and bad. Maturity and wisdom come chiefly from difficult experiences. As he says in v71, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”

Blessings of Wisdom

Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
   I have understanding and power.
By me kings reign
   and rulers make laws that are just;
by me princes govern,
   and all nobles who rule on earth.
I love those who love me,
   and those who seek me find me.
With me are riches and honor,
   enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than fine gold;
   what I yield surpasses choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
   along the paths of justice,
bestowing wealth on those who love me
   and making their treasuries full. (Pr 8:14-21)

In this passage, the personified voice of Wisdom speaks of the blessings she showers on those who seek her. Godly wisdom leads to great worldly success. Many people fail to achieve their full potential because they lack wisdom. Greed, for instance, can cause someone to lose all their money. The lust for power can cause the mighty to fall. I have often said that the Bible is full of so much wisdom that even one who does not believe in God would do well to study it.