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Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
May 15-20, 2023
Enter the Presence of the Lord
(All) Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
(M) I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
(W) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
(M) I seek you with all my heart;
(W) I hide your word in my heart.
(selection and adaption from Psalm 119: 9-16)
Confession
O the Lord who gives us your word, we so often are lost in the sea of our culture info and in the daily life demands. We put your word aside. We lost the perspective that you had guided us. We are returning to you and your word. Cleanse us, and rescue us from the pollutions and confusions of our cultures. Open our eyes to see the wonder of your word and revive our hearts according to your word. So that we may abide in you closely and may ground our lives in your word leading us on the path of life and peace. Thank you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture Reading Proverbs
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8:23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
8: 33-36 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Thoughts to share: The Wisdom for Daily Living
There is a universal longing that life needs certain wisdom as guide. Wisdom is like a lamp, a light. It points to the pathways to go. The wisdom is often condensed into wise sayings. The wise sayings to be useful had better be brief, concise, pointed, insightful, and easy to be remembered. Our Book of Proverbs notices a few places where people are especially in need of wisdom. These places are: the intersection of the streets, cities, the gates of the cities, on the streets, in the wide-open space, in the crowded places on the streets. Why? Those places are where people encounter choices, opinions, trends, currents, temptations and where confusions and struggles arise. People need to understand, discern, judge, decide, choose and act. Wisdom has two sides of a sharp edge: to turn away from dangers and troubles or to lead to peace and life. Therefore, the wise sayings exist in all cultures.
Reading through the proverbs, we will find the wisdom covers in every area of our daily life- speech and communication, work and money, making friends and choosing spouse, marriage and parenting, self- understanding, interpersonal relationship, difficult people, power and authority, life and death, character and attitude, temperament and emotion … We find that the word of God is down to the earth. It is so practical, so applicable, and so relevant to our everyday real existence.
But what difference between the Book of Proverbs and the wising sayings in other cultures? First, we find that the wisdom in the Book of Proverbs is like an active person. He earnestly walks around, seeks for, speaks aloud and calls out to people and demands them to listen and to respond. Secondly, the wisdom points to God Himself. God Himself is the source of wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, fear of the Lord becomes the foundation of gaining wisdom. Thirdly, the Book of Proverbs stresses the possibility of freedom and the importance of personal choosing and responding. Everyone has a responsibility of using the freedom given. Fourthly, the Book of Proverbs mentions the significance of our heart. The heart is where our life become.
Probably the most interesting point in the Book of Proverbs is that this wisdom speaks in the first person “I”. He exists long before the world. He took part in the creation of the world. He is to pour the “Spirit” to those who respond to him. Who is this person? Who is this Wisdom? It is through the New testament that we realize that Jesus Christ revealed the mystery. He fits the descriptions concerning Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs. And Christ is the head of the Church. He is ready to pour the rich wisdom to his children. James reminded his church that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who give generously to all without reproach and it will be given.”
Do you lack wisdom at the crossroad of something? Do you confuse about how to use your knowledge? Where will you find consultation? The book of Proverbs reminds us of our need for wisdom. More than that, God stores all kinds of wisdom for us. Come, to dig His word, to pray to him. Wait upon him. He will give the wisdom we need. This is a good news to us!
Prayer suggestions
When we are surrounded by the trends and currents of our world, how shall we navigate through them? Do we believe that God cares the multiple challenges which we face every day?
Oh Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge, we give praises and thanks to you. You really know our needs in this world. Your words comfort us that we are not alone. You have ways to help us. You have wisdom and you are the Wisdom. Help us be drawn to you nearer and nearer. Please, use your word to remind us, to call us, to awake us, to caution us. Lead us into the path of righteousness, life and peace. Thank you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Prayer Request
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