2018 Dec 03 Proverbs 3 Psalms
2018 Dec 03 Proverbs 3 Psalms
Hello and best wishes for a beautiful day! Let's pick up in Proverbs 3:13-18, with rewards for finding true wisdom.
"13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom And the man who acquires discernment; 14 To gain it is better than gaining silver, And having it as profit is better than having gold. 15 It is more precious than corals; Nothing you desire can compare to it. 16 Long life is in its right hand; Riches and glory are in its left hand. 17 Its ways are pleasant, And all its paths are peaceful. 18 It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, And those who keep firm hold of it will be called happy"
Prov 3:13 Wisdom is the ability to successfully apply divine knowledge for the true or lasting benefit of others and oneself. Discernment sees the difference between things, such as between a minor irritation that moves one to find a solution to the pressing problem or see how to cope with it, and full-blown anger that is a violation of Christian self-control and gentle Christian mildness,that interferes with clear thinking and causes hurt feelings, andthat may even provoke the serious sin of reviling another. True Christians are to manifest self-control and refuse to allow anger to escalate to an extreme level. They learn to quickly channel the energy of irritation into efforts to think through and fix the problem or see how to cope with it, as mentioned.
Prov 3:14-16 True wisdom leads its owner to everlasting life in true peace and happiness, something that money cannot buy. It increases the beauty and joy associated with other wholesome desires, giving meaning to life, making enjoyment more delightful.
Prov 3:17,18 True wisdom is the way to enjoy life in peace as it was meant to be enjoyed, knowing how to get along with others peacefully. It results in true happiness and God's gift of eternal life.
Psalm 119:17-24 reads: "Deal kindly with your servant, So that I may live and observe your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I may see clearly The wonderful things from your law. 19 I am but a foreigner in the land. Do not hide your commandments from me. 20 I am consumed with longing For your judgments at all times. 21 You rebuke the presumptuous, The cursed ones who stray from your commandments. 22 Remove from me scorn and contempt, For I have observed your reminders. 23 Even when princes sit together and speak against me, Your servant ponders over your regulations. 24 I am fond of your reminders; They are my advisers."
Having faith does not mean we ignore the law of God. Rather, Christians do have some commandments to keep, although these are fewer than what the Mosaic Law required. This is because true Christians operate largely on Bible principles of truth, and qualities such as trusting faith in God and love for Him and all others, which move us to do what is right and in the long-term best interests of others. Thus, expressions such as in Psalm 119:17-24 are completely appropriate for true Christians, and move us to obey God fully in faith and love. Verse 18 pleads with God to "open my eyes so that I may see clearly the wonderful things from your law." Sinful thinking and practices, such as idolatry, which can include selfish greed, can blind a person to the truth. (Psal 115:4,5,8) May we approach God with a pure motive, seeking purity of heart to please Him and practice true Christian love.






