One of my early experiences with the Bible goes back to my days in Senior High Youth Group in Tampa. Mark and Paula Finlayson, a wonderful couple at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, served as adult advisors to our group. They were followers of Jesus who wanted us all to know their Lord and God. They encouraged us to read our Bibles. These eager students of God’s Word pointed out that the books of Acts and Proverb each had about the same number of chapters as there were days in the month. Maybe we should try and read a chapter from each of these biblical books every day? Following their wise advice, I first started reading the words of wisdom in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs promises, in the opening verses, what it hopes to deliver:
Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,
knowledge and prudence to the young—
5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
and the discerning acquire skill,
6 to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles.7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
I hope you will join Rev. Sarah and me over the next month, as we pause for daily reflections on God’s words of wisdom.
Prayer
Open Your Word to me today, dear God, so that I might gain instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity. Give me the wisdom that helps life make sense. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.