Wisdom for Living II

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Wisdom for Living II

Tuesday, 8 October

 

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver. Proverbs 16:16

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Proverbs 4:1-8 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

 

MORE LESSON: 2 Chronicles 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

 

In continuation of our discourse on wisdom for living we shall be considering more proverbs of the Bible that we can apply to our life in order to be more successful in our Christian journey. (vii) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city: Proverbs 16:32. Joseph is an example of one who ruled over his spirit when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife and Samson is an illustration of one who took over a city but had no control over his spirit. It is like saying, 'it is better to be a Joseph than to be a Samson'. Self-control is a great virtue that must be cultivated. Thankfully, self-control is a component of the fruit of the Spirit; implying that we should not struggle to manifest self-control as Spirit filled believers.

Also, (viii) Proverbs 17:5 reminds us Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. No matter how rich you are, don't mock the poor; if you cannot help the poor make sure not to hurt them either. In the same vein, Proverbs 17:5 admonishes us not to laugh at people in their calamity. What we are expected to do when people run into trouble is to show empathy. (ix) Proverbs 17:22 encourages us, A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. One of the greatest favours you can do to yourself is to be happy, circumstances not regarding. If you can be happy, it will be well.

Let's add four more proverbs as we end the discussion. (x) A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24. The law of success incorporates friendliness; the more friendly you are the more people will come around you. (xi) Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. Proverbs 20:13. Too much sleep equals poverty! (xii) A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1. A good name is the path of honour and if you can't combine riches and honour, choose honour instead. (xiii) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Proverbs 22:4. So if you want to combine riches, honour and life be humble and fear the Lord.

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask that the Spirit of wisdom which is one of the seven-fold Spirit of God, baptise you now and always.

* Thank God for the manifold wisdom of God operational in your life.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: This is the month that the LORD has made and I shall rejoice and be glad in it, in the rejoicing name of Jesus.