Whoever Listens To Me Will Dwell Safely

What does the Bible say about wisdom? First, it must be very important because the Bible refers to wisdom over 200 times and the Book of Proverbs defines its purpose:

    “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion—a wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:1-7)

I’m going to assume that none of us are fools so I’ll proceed. From where does the call of wisdom on our lives come? Just a few verses later in Proverbs 1 Solomon informs us that:

    “Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares.” (Proverbs 1:20)

Solomon teaches that wisdom is not just a philosophy or a great life training technique; wisdom is a person and she raises her voice to us. Wisdom constantly calls to us of her promises of understanding and discernment:

    “Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors: ‘To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.’” (Proverbs 8:1-4)

Attaining wisdom should be our primary goal when we read the Bible and pray:

    “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.” (Proverbs 4:5-8)

Fine Bro Dave, we get that…but what should I read? I don’t really know how to study the Bible.

Fair enough!

I’ve shared this with you before but I would venture to guess that 90% of you (that’s over 200 people) did not begin or have not continued in this approach.

I want you to read the Proverb (there are 31) that corresponds with the date. That means you need to read Proverbs 13 this morning. And along with that I want you to read 5 Psalms each morning (there are 150). That means today you read Psalms 61-65. Just multiply the date times five and those are the psalms for the day (the number will be the last one you read; you will begin at 1 or 6). Psalm 119 is a long one so instead of reading that on the 24th, read it on the 31st or the last day of the month. That is your morning Bible reading.

At night before you go to bed I want you to read one chapter from John’s gospel. You need to get reacquainted with Jesus if it’s been awhile since you opened your Bibles on a regular basis.

I know, it sounds so regimented but pouring a foundation is hard work and if you try to take shortcuts and pour the cement before its time you will have a sad excuse for a foundation.

Proverbs 1:22-32 gives a long list of warnings about shunning wisdom; it is not a pretty picture. However Solomon ends with this encouraging note:

    “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)

Who doesn’t want that?!

Too many Christians want to pour the cement before they’ve built a foundation for the foundation. That is why their walk is weak, their faith is fragile, and their hope is hindered.

Let’s get the foundation for the foundation ready; tomorrow we can start pouring the cement.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers

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