Day 46: Proverbs 7:1-Proverbs 20:21 - 90 Day Challenge

Words to the Wise 

God's Wisdom Imparted 


I'd like to start today with some motivation to KEEP READING from our verses today: 

Proverbs 9:10--

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." 

Continuing to seek God in all we do is the way to wisdom and understanding! And God wants us to have it. In Proverbs 8:10-11 God says, 

"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can  compare with her." 

God calls us to seek wisdom, so we can continue growing in His ways. Over and over again in today's reading, we hear about the dangers of fool's folly--of the foolishness of fools. And we also hear about wealth not equating wisdom. It even says it's better to be poor and wise than rich and stupid (paraphrasing, here). And that through wisdom, one obtains righteousness. 

Proverbs 12:1 says

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." 

I interpreted this verse to mean that God is calling us to take constructive criticism like champs. We've got to continually better ourselves and keep improving--if we don't we're not gaining any wisdom. This goes really well with Proverbs 13:10--a verse which I find to be very profound: 

"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." And if you still don't think accepting criticism is important, check out Proverbs 19:200--"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." 

Back to avoiding fool's folly, Proverbs 17:12 says that it is "Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly." Yikes. That's pretty dramatic--watch out for the folly, y'all. 

So, what do we do with all this wisdom now? Very little. 

Proverbs 17:27-28 says "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." 

Basically: 

Tomorrow's reading: Proverbs 20:22-Ecclesiastes 2:26
Have a wonderful day! 
Jill Jafarace 
Director of Student Ministry
New Leaf UMC




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