Heed Instruction

Devotion

2-26-10

Heed Instruction

Proverbs 8:33

“Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.”

 

This morning as I was reading Proverbs 8 I was taken back with the reality of how personally wisdom and understanding are talked about.  It is almost as if they are people and have a personal identity.  I wondered why.  I am not sure I have a clear answer to that but I am nevertheless sure that God is making a powerful point to us through it. 

God wants wisdom and understanding to be personal to us. Just like food and water is personal to us because we need it to live so wisdom and understanding is personal to us because we need them to live eternally.

 

If we neglect food and water what would happen to our bodies? They would stop functioning, become ill and die.  Well perhaps we need to take wisdom and understanding to that point of seriousness in our daily lives.  Without them we will not only suffer physically but spiritually as well. 

 

Proverbs tells us that it was wisdom and understanding that God used to create the earth. In fact long before the earth was formed wisdom and understanding were active in God. It also tells us that if we will seek wisdom and understanding we will find it.  By wisdom we can live righteously, receive riches and honor, power, and enduring wealth. It is better than silver or fine gold. It speaks truth, knowledge, and noble things. 

So what is it that makes wisdom and understanding so important and able to do so many things?  We can find that answer in Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

 

Ok then, perhaps now we see the value in what God is saying to us. Wisdom and Understanding come from the fear and knowledge of God. If this is so, than is it possible for an unbeliever to have wisdom and understanding? No it is not. 

When a person rejects the Lord and fails to have any kind of fear or reverence for the Almighty God than they are walking foolishly away from life. 

God is wisdom and God is understanding.  If we desire to be filled with wisdom and understanding in our lives than does it not make perfect sense to embrace the ONE who is wisdom and understanding?  

 

No matter what we need in our lives, health, finances, relationships, security or jobs, wisdom and understanding are vital tools to help us deal with our circumstances and to make the decisions that best fit our situations.  But let’s keep in mind what we have learned today about wisdom and understanding.  We can only have them by seeking God, because He is wisdom and understanding.

 Embrace His word, hold fast to His truths, seek Him and find Him, heed His instruction and be wise and do not neglect it.  In so doing you will receive His wisdom and understanding for your lives.