September 27, 2015

The Beginning of Solomon’s Wisdom  ! Kings 3:5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

The Book of Proverbs  There are two kinds of wisdom competing for our trust. The Bible calls them “the wisdom from above” and “the wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:15, 17).  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10

 Wisdom – this is how the world is and this is how the people of God navigate this world.  Chapter 1 uses a multi-tasking reality, the ability to respond to different circumstances appropriately according to God’s word.  This father is concerned about wisdom, not just knowledge or information.  The fear of the Lord is wisdom 101.

 What is the fear of the Lord?  Philippians 2:12,13 With fear and trembling work out your salvation.  Because God is God. To know him as he really is, is to understand fear in the sense of reverence and awe.  The gospel, the message of the cross is not flippant.  To fear the Lord is to so know him that you would do anything to keep his smile.

 The fear of the Lord produces integrity.  Humility—Proverbs 14:16 cautious versus reckless  Satisfaction with God’s providence- Better is the little with the presence of the Lord. Prov. 15:16 If you have the Lord, everything else is a bonus.  Transforms family life 14:26 The one who fears the Lord has a strong confidence—a refuge for his children

 How do we get a right view of God that leads to wisdom?  God apart from Jesus is terrifying.  We take hold of Jesus alone. Galatians 5 Make sure that you move in time with the Spirit.  Living constantly in dependence of the Holy Spirit.  This holy fire has sought a relationship with you.

 As we launch our study of Proverbs, let’s so humble ourselves that we’re enthusiastic about Jesus saving us. We’re born proud and defensive. It makes us negative, whiney, suspicious, unsatisfiable, squandering our opportunity in life. Then we’re reborn by grace into newness and repentance and freedom as we listen to our Wonderful Counselor who loves us better than we love ourselves. That new humility is the fear of the Lord and the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It is a constant adjustment:

 Believers may not often realize it, but even as believers we are either centered on man or centered on God. There is no alternative. Either God is the center of our universe and we have become rightly adjusted to him, or we have made ourselves the center and are attempting to make all else orbit around us and for us.  Even in the small things of everyday life, Christ can be our true center. And then we really start to live!