PROVERBS 1:7 NLT Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
The fear of the Lord involves wonder, respect, love, and trust in God. It calls us to recognize our total dependence on God for everything, including knowledge and wisdom. It is not just a mental attitude but involves engaging Him in service, love, and obeying His word.
To further this point, we read in Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NLT [12] "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. [13] And you must always obey the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of all knowledge. How can we understand life without knowing its most fundamental truth – that it is God’s creation and story that He is writing? The crazy thing about this is that we play a part in His story. We are making History by fearing the Lord through the correct lenses of wonder, respect, love, and trust in a God who loves us.
PROVERBS 1:1-6 MSG These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David's son, Israel's king- Written down so we'll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it's going; A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There's something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn- Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.
Solomon is the foremost authority on God’s wisdom. He is credited with much of the writings of the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 1:2-7 explains the purpose of the book and identifies the different readers to whom it is addressed. Wisdom is practical knowledge that involves ethical choices. Words like right, just, and fair are associated with biblical wisdom. The book of Proverbs encourages us to resist our sinful ways toward wrong behavior.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE PROVERBS
ONE | MAKE A COMMITMENT
We are all committed to doing something daily. For most of us, the first thing we do when we wake up is find our phones and surf social media before doing anything else. It’s like we have a bad case of FOMO each morning. FOMO, if you are wondering, is the fear of missing out. I want to challenge you to open up to God’s Word before you do anything else. Read a passage from Proverbs daily.
Proverbs 16:3 NLT Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
Committing to reading God’s Word daily will help you during difficult times. Then, tell someone that you will read a chapter of Proverbs daily. Accountability is key. Don’t do life alone.
I've heard it repeatedly said throughout my 36 years of life that “A Proverbs a day keeps your problems away.” I love the thought behind this statement, yet I still face daily problems. However, when I am in God’s Word before the problem shows up, especially when reading Proverbs, I have a better outlook on the situation, and the majority of the time, it turns out not to be a problem at all.
TWO | ASK GOD FOR WISDOM
Remember, you’re going to God’s Word. Ask for His wisdom for your life. God is not stingy. There are countless scriptures in God’s Word that ask us to ask Him for things for our lives, and the best thing we can ask for is wisdom. Don’t believe me? Read Proverbs, and you'll find that it is more precious than anything.
Proverbs 19:20 NLT Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
The ABCs for getting wisdom from God:
A - Admit You Need It.
Even if you don’t think you need wisdom, you do. I firmly believe you need to fake it before you make it on this one. Admit to God that you need His wisdom.
B - Believe that God wants to give it. Don’t be trapped into thinking God only gives His wisdom to those who attend church perfectly or help old ladies cross the road. He gives it to those who ask, believe, and have faith to receive it.
C - Commit to using it.
It shouldn’t shock anyone that multiple people receive wisdom from the Lord yet refuse to use it. If you ask for it, use it. Commit!
THREE | WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING
Does anyone else get anxious like I do when you go to a restaurant, and your waiter/waitress comes to your table to take your order and doesn’t write it down? Like he/she can remember every detail of each person’s order. Yeah, I can’t do that. I have to write stuff that important down so we don’t have a scene from Mrs. Doubtfire running through the restaurant, saving 007 because they put hot peppers on his food and his throat closed up on him choking. Who’s going to save the world if we lose 007?
At Coldwater Youth, we always say that note-takers are history-makers. I’ve been walking through the Book of Proverbs for some time now and have notecards to back it up. When God shows me a verse I need to remember, I write it down and carry it wherever I go. Research shows that you get 70% retention when you review what you wrote down within 24 hours.
Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
To get the most out of this principle:
Wake up thankful for the day and know that it’s a gift from God. Look at God’s Word before looking at social media. Write down what God is showing you.
FOUR | MULTIPLY THE IMPACT
Here at Coldwater Youth, we believe in the power of small groups. Sitting across from like-minded peers and discussing God’s Word gives each of us the confidence that we are in it together. The same should hold for you as well. Find a group of close friends, family members, or co-workers and walk through the book of Proverbs together. Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
God never called us to walk through life alone.
FIVE | EXPECT GOD TO SPEAK
This is by far the most rewarding part of reading God’s Word. God is eagerly ready to speak to you from it and to have an intimate relationship with you. One that is so close that when you go out into the world He has created, you are ready to follow and hear His leading to do extraordinary things for Him.
I want to share a story with you that took place last week in our area with a good friend named Cameron, who heard God speak and acted on it. Cameron saw a need from a gentleman that he met named Mr. Robert. Mr. Roberts's car was beyond repair, so Cameron prayed to God about how to help out. He looked at finding parts for the car and soon realized that going that route wouldn’t be feasible. Cameron told me that He felt the Lord leading him to buy a vehicle for Mr. Robert. Cameron didn't just talk about faith; he lived it by buying Mr. Robert a new car, embodying the message of Matthew 25:35 about helping those in need.
But the story didn't stop with a car. When we learned that Mr. Robert's wife, Mrs. Beverly, was battling cancer, we prayed over her, turning to James 5:14 for guidance on supporting the sick through faith and prayer. This act wasn't just about kindness; it was a profound lesson in putting faith into action, reminding us of 1 John 3:18's call to love not just with words but with deeds and truth.
Cameron's story urges us all to live our faith actively and that God is still in the business of meeting with us and speaking to us. It's a powerful reminder to each of us to extend our hands in service, proving that the ripple effects of a single act of kindness can be far-reaching.
What’s God calling you to do? I know that God is still speaking and moving through the lives of believers all over Tate County and worldwide. I want to give you a few scriptures to help you hear from God and move, knowing that’s what He is calling you to do. God created you on purpose, for a purpose, and with a purpose.
PROVERBS 16:1,3 NLT [1] We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. [3] Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
MATTHEW 7:7 NLT "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
PROVERBS 3:5-6 NLT [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
PSALM 145:18-19 NLT [18] The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. [19] He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything or someone to talk to. 901-515-6450. God never called us to walk through life alone. The best is yet to come in your life.
