Daily Reading: Proverbs 8
Scripture Focus: The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first before the beginning of the earth. (Proverbs 8.22-23)
Devotional Thought: Proverbs 8, today’s chapter, deals entirely with wisdom. In this chapter wisdom is personified, “speaking” in the first person. And, she makes some pretty impressive claims about herself! The grandest is probably found in vv. 22-23. Wisdom is as old as – yes, older than! – the universe itself. When God set about creating the universe, he did so within the boundaries of something already established: his wisdom.
God’s wisdom is evident in...
Physical laws. The universe operates under an orderly set of laws that govern what things happen and how they happen. If A + B = C, then A + B will always equal C. Because of that, humanity has been able to make great strides in agriculture, in medicine, in health, and in technology.
Moral laws. These laws do not change because people choose to ignore them or replace them with "new and improved" moral principles. The best moral foundation is the one laid before the creation of the universe!
Spiritual laws. This kind of wisdom has been around since the beginning, too. God made people spiritual beings. He created us to love us, and for us to love him in return. He created us to know him and to be with him forever. Spiritually, our origin is in God and our created destiny is to be with him forever. God in his wisdom, however, has given us the moral ability and responsibility to choose our destiny. Choosing God is the wise course, but, sadly, it is not the only course that people choose.
True wisdom is not something that is dependent upon the winds of culture or political correctness. It is rooted in the character and eternity of God.
Prayer: Lord, eternal Father, Creator of all things good and beautiful, help me today to embrace your wisdom, living within the blessings of your physical laws, moral laws, and spiritual laws. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 6.1-5
1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD--how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
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