Week of September 11, 2011
Proverbs:4:10-15;20-27
Introduction:
Daily wisdom is available in God's word through meditating and memorizing.But most of all,we have to take it seriously,placing it deep inside our hearts and believing this is the only way to conduct our lives.Those who truly study and practice God's word experience contentment and peace.
Solomon was lead astray by keeping close company with those who worshiped idols.It moved his heart away from God,so he advised,keep your distance from those who do cause a whirling around and running away from evil and evil doers not wanting to follow God's agenda.When those around you don't want to follow God's agenda this should make you feel sad,but the love of God and his ways will lead us to goodness and happiness.
Walk on the Path of Wisdom
proverbs 4:10-15KJV
10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
footnotes:
In verse 10 Solomon encourages his son to listen to him with the promise that his wisdom would lengthen the son's life.As Implied throughout Proverbs,Solomon was in essence imparting God's truth in the form of wisdom and therefore could claim that obedience to his word would impart life to those obeying them.So that his son might enjoy a longer and fuller life,Solomon promises to guide him along the way of wisdom.As the son follows the steps of Godly wisdom, he will be able to walk and eventually run, as he finds that many of the obstacles impeding the progress of others,have been removed from his path.God wisdom makes a way for all who walk in the path of His wisdom.For God path is a straight path.
Guard Your Hearts
Proverbs 4:20-23KJV
20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
footnotes:
Staying on the path of God's wisdom and truth requires that we fervently guard our hearts.Such effort begins with paying attention to God's word.Since Proverbs picture Solomon as imparting God's wisdom,conformity to what he says signifies obedience to the word of God.The guarding of our hearts should be a priority.Because all of our life(words,actions,thoughts,emotions)spring out of the heart,we must protect what goes into the heart in terms of what we see, read,concentrate on and listen to from others.If we fill our hearts with God's wisdom,that is what will flow out of us, in our words and behavior.
Stay on the Path of Righteousness
Proverbs 4:24-27KJV
24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
footnotes:
Here we have Solomon instructing his son as how to stay on the path of righteousness.He commands him to seek purity in his speech rather than the perverseness on the path of wickedness.He must remain focused on God's truth and not become easily distracted by what one sees around him or her.Looking straight ahead means to stay upright and focus on what is pure.It is literally squinting of your eyes to clearly see God's level path as He reveals in His word.There will be many obstacals and temptations trying to distract you from God's truth ,but turn neither to the right ,nor the left,but keep your eyes on Jesus, the revealed word of God.
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