The Wisdom of the Righteous

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
An Ordered Life

Proverbs 29:2-11

The Message

 ² When good people run things, everyone is glad,
   but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.

 ³ If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents,
   but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.

 ⁴ A leader of good judgment gives stability;
   an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.

 ⁵ A flattering neighbor is up to no good;
   he's probably planning to take advantage of you.

 ⁶ Evil people fall into their own traps;
   good people run the other way, glad to escape.

 ⁷ The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor;
   the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.

 ⁸ A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;
   a group of sages can calm everyone down.

 ⁹ A sage trying to work things out with a fool
   gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.

 ¹⁰ Murderers hate honest people;
   moral folks encourage them.

 ¹¹ A fool lets it all hang out;
   a sage quietly mulls it over.

For Reflection
God is the ultimate source of wisdom and justice.  When we live in the hollow of God's hand, we walk in His Kingdom fearlessly.  Trusting in the Lord, awed by the grandeur and elegance of His works, and obedient to his commandment that we act out of God-centered wisdom with the love of human kind as a guide will wipe out fear and encourage wise living.

Pray
that you will trust in the Lord.  Pray that you will be fearlessly righteous. Pray that you will find the courage to live in the hollow of God's hand and walk in Christ's footprints.

Wisdom in Wealth and Poverty

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
An Ordered Life

Proverbs 28:8-16

The Message

 ⁸ Get as rich as you want
   through cheating and extortion,
But eventually some friend of the poor
   is going to give it all back to them.

 ⁹ God has no use for the prayers
   of the people who won't listen to him.

 ¹⁰ Lead good people down a wrong path
   and you'll come to a bad end;
   do good and you'll be rewarded for it.

 ¹¹ The rich think they know it all,
   but the poor can see right through them.

 ¹² When good people are promoted, everything is great,
   but when the bad are in charge, watch out!

 ¹³ You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it;
   you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

 ¹⁴ A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life;
   a hardhearted person lives a hard life.

 ¹⁵ Lions roar and bears charge—
   and the wicked lord it over the poor.

 ¹⁶ Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds,
   but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.

For Reflection
Wisdom and wealth are not synonymous terms.  One does not automatically result in the other.  Some of the wealthy are not wise.  Some of the wise are not wealthy. Some, like Solomon are both wealthy and wise.  In my book wisdom trumps wealth.  If one is wise he or she can deal with a poor financial state. Listen to the Lord, He responds to your prayers.

Pray
that you will recognize wisdom in all economic classes.  Pray that you will reject the advice of those who are wealthy but lack God-centered wisdom. Pray that the poor will find spiritual wealth.

The Wisdom of Self-Control

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Wisdom and Discernment

Proverbs 25:21-28

The Message

 ^21-22 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
   if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
   and God will look after you.

 ²³ A north wind brings stormy weather,
   and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.

 ²⁴ Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
   than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

 ²⁵ Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary
   is a letter from a long-lost friend.

 ²⁶ A good person who gives in to a bad person
   is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

 ²⁷ It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets,
   nor is glory piled on glory good for you.

 ²⁸ A person without self-control
   is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

For Reflection
Being a Christian requires a special understanding and love of self that dislodges the need for selfishness and the search for self-affirmation.  It requires a kind of self-confidence that is clothed in humility which only a God-centered life can bring.  Giving over to the death of one's self and embracing the birth of a transformed self enables a new vision grounded in the wisdom that brings order to God's Kingdom. It gives birth to a new commonsense which overrides defensive tendencies to be judgmental and quick to criticize. Being a Christian is not just an exercise in self-control but also a journey in the company of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Pray
that you will respond to the new found life in the hollow of God's hand.  Pray for steadfast confidence and trust in the way of our Lord.  Give thanks for the grace of God which never abandons us in spite of our failures.

The Wisdom of Justice

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
An Ordered Life

Proverbs 28:1-5

The Message

If You Desert God's Law

 ¹ The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them;
Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.

 ² When the country is in chaos,
   everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
   to straighten things out.

 ³ The wicked who oppress the poor
   are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.

 ⁴ If you desert God's law, you're free to embrace depravity;
   if you love God's law, you fight for it tooth and nail.

 ⁵ Justice makes no sense to the evil-minded;
   those who seek God know it inside and out.

For Reflection
What does it mean to embrace justice? Webster tells us that, "The quality of being just [requires] conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness."
So that one who's wisdom does not embrace justice may be one who is ridden with guilt (or at least driven by fear that his untoward acts will be discovered and his plan thwarted.)  Depravity, oppression of the poor occurs when one rejects  an active love for others.

Pray
for those who live under the tyranny of an unjust government.  Pray for those who have to fight daily to be treat fairly.  Pray for those who take advantage of others that they may acquire the God-centered  wisdom of the righteous.

Danger of Pride

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
An Ordered Life

2 Chronicles 32:20-26

The Message

 ^20-21 King Hezekiah, joined by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, responded by praying, calling up to heaven. God answered by sending an angel who wiped out everyone in the Assyrian camp, both warriors and officers. Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, tail between his legs. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him.
 ^22-23 God saved Hezekiah and the citizens of Jerusalem from Sennacherib king of Assyria and everyone else. And he continued to take good care of them. People streamed into Jerusalem bringing offerings for the worship of God and expensive presents to Hezekiah king of Judah. All the surrounding nations were impressed—Hezekiah's stock soared.

²⁴ Some time later Hezekiah became deathly sick. He prayed to God and was given a reassuring sign.
 ^25-26 But the sign, instead of making Hezekiah grateful, made him arrogant. This made God angry, and his anger spilled over on Judah and Jerusalem. But then Hezekiah, and Jerusalem with him, repented of his arrogance, and God withdrew his anger while Hezekiah lived.

For Reflection
Hezekiah, Hezekiah, Hezekiah, what were you thinking?  We are all susceptible to righteousness run amok.  Hezekiah, seeing the results of God's hand, defined the victory as his own rather than God's.  It looks like religious leaders are not exempt from the seduction of success -- in this case righteousness turned to self-righteousness.

Maybe this is why we are skeptical when a politician claims that God is on his or her side.  Yes, God does work in and through political action, but, I am not so sure that we mortals can say with certainty which action was God's and which action was just the natural flow of things or even the Devil's doin'. In the days of the old testament, assigning worldly events to God's hand (indeed any god's hand) was more common place.

Hezekiah's response to the people's adoration, however, is still a common modern response.  I suppose one must remember to be humble and not to assume that one can read God's mind.

Pray
That you are not persuaded toward self-righteousness.  Pray that you understand the wisdom in making your observations provisional.  Pray that you are quick to thank God and slow to assume his authority.

Impartiality in Judgement

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
An Ordered Life

Deuteronomy 1:9-17

The Message

 ^9-13 At the time I told you, "I can't do this, can't carry you all by myself. God, your God, has multiplied your numbers. Why, look at you—you rival the stars in the sky! And may God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, keep it up and multiply you another thousand times, bless you just as he promised. But how can I carry, all by myself, your troubles and burdens and quarrels? So select some wise, understanding, and seasoned men from your tribes, and I will commission them as your leaders."
 ¹⁴ You answered me, "Good! A good solution."
 ¹⁵ So I went ahead and took the top men of your tribes, wise and seasoned, and made them your leaders—leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, officials adequate for each of your tribes.
 ^16-17 At the same time I gave orders to your judges: "Listen carefully to complaints and accusations between your fellow Israelites. Judge fairly between each person and his fellow or foreigner. Don't play favorites; treat the little and the big alike; listen carefully to each. Don't be impressed by big names. This is God's judgment you're dealing with. Hard cases you can bring to me; I'll deal with them."

.

For Reflection
I suppose it is true that the greater the density and number of people, the greater the need for order.  Moses recognized the problem.  Everyone, especially in a densely populated society, needs to feel that he or she is recognized as an individual.  In increasingly  dense populations, total individual freedom, to do as on pleases has a greater chance to infringe on the freedom of others.

Governance is a two edged sword.   On one hand a benevolent system improves the lot of all participants. On the other hand, too much governance leads to abuses of power and an unsettled defiant populous.

Moses distributed leaders to improve the governance of the people. He called for fair and just leadership.  He commissions his leaders to remember that their power is centered in God's judgment.

Pray
for our leaders in civil matters as well as those who govern in matters of faith.  Pray that they will reject the seduction of their positions.  Pray that they will use God-centered wisdom in decision-making.

Wisdom with Neighbors

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Wisdom and Discernment

Proverbs 25:16-20

The Message

A Person Without Self-Control

 ^16-17 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down;
   eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;
And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome;
   show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.

 ¹⁸ Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors
   in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

 ¹⁹ Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble
   is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

 ²⁰ Singing light songs to the heavyhearted
   is like pouring salt in their wounds.

For Reflection
A couple of days ago I ate a whole large bag of chocolate covered peanuts. It didn't make me sick.  I guess I didn't eat too much!

Do you remember a time when you were tempted to suggest that you were siding against a friend just so the group you were with could identify you as one of them?  Didn't you realize at the moment you said untoward things that you were wrong.  Selfishness won as it sometimes does. The sacrifice of self is one of the most difficult sacrifices we make and it is difficult.

Pray
that you will hesitate to elevate your self at the expense of others.  Pray that you never sing light songs to the heavy hearted.  Pray that you empathy for others is authentic.  Pray for God's gentle nudge toward righteousness.

Words Fitly Spoken

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Wisdom and Discernment

Proverbs 25:11-15

The Message

 ^11-12 The right word at the right time
   is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
And a wise friend's timely reprimand
   is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

 ¹³ Reliable friends who do what they say
   are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

 ¹⁴ Like billowing clouds that bring no rain
   is the person who talks big but never produces.

 ¹⁵ Patient persistence pierces through indifference;
   gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

For Reflection

Oh how we painfully agonize over the right thing to say and the right time to say it!  The reason strategizing words of wisdom are so difficult is that we do not know all that we need to know to make a rational defensible decision.  The truth is that the "right word at the right time is not our decision to make.  It belongs to those who respond to our "wisdom."

Just being our God-centered selves is enough.  Love as you would be loved.  Walk the walk with Christ at you side.  Be patient, God will work through you.

Pray
for patience.  Pray that your actions reflect the God of love that resides within you.  Pray that your listening ears speak louder than you lips.

Asking for Wisdom

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Wisdom and Discernment

1 Kings 3:5-14

The Message (MSG)

 ^4-5 The king went to Gibeon, the most prestigious of the local shrines, to worship. He sacrificed a thousand Whole-Burnt-Offerings on that altar. That night, there in Gibeon, God appeared to Solomon in a dream: God said, "What can I give you? Ask."
 ⁶ Solomon said, "You were extravagantly generous in love with David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence, his relationships were just and his heart right. And you have persisted in this great and generous love by giving him—and this very day!—a son to sit on his throne.
 ^7-8 "And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I'm too young for this, a mere child! I don't know the ropes, hardly know the 'ins' and 'outs' of this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you've chosen, a great people—far too many to ever count.
 ⁹ "Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?"
 ^10-14 God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon's response. And God said to him, "Because you have asked for this and haven't grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I'll give you what you've asked for—I'm giving you a wise and mature heart. There's never been one like you before; and there'll be no one after. As a bonus, I'm giving you both the wealth and glory you didn't ask for—there's not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I'll also give you a long life."

For Reflection
"A God listening heart" to discern the difference between good and evil is a gift for all to desire.  We who know God know that we know God because we know the difference between good and evil. It is the beginning of God-centered wisdom.

Pray
prayers of thanksgiving for the God who is wisdom.  Pray that you will listen to the God of wisdom who resides in you and whispers into your conscience.  Pray that grace will flow from your God listening heart.

The Creators Hiddenness

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Wisdom and Discernment

Isaiah 45:9-17

The Message (MSG)

 ^8-10"Open up, heavens, and rain.
   Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!
Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation;
   sprout right living.
   I, God, generate all this.
But doom to you who fight your Maker—
   you're a pot at odds with the potter!
Does clay talk back to the potter:
   'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!'
Would a sperm say to a father,
   'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?'
Or a fetus to a mother,
   'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'"
 ^11-13Thus God, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says:
   "Do you question who or what I'm making?
   Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?
I made earth,
   and I created man and woman to live on it.
I handcrafted the skies
   and direct all the constellations in their turnings.
And now I've got Cyrus on the move.
   I've rolled out the red carpet before him.
He will build my city.
   He will bring home my exiles.
I didn't hire him to do this. I told him.
   I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies."
 ¹⁴God says:
   "The workers of Egypt, the merchants of Ethiopia,
   and those statuesque Sabeans
Will all come over to you—all yours.
   Docile in chains, they'll follow you,
Hands folded in reverence, praying before you:
   'Amazing! God is with you!
   There is no other God—none.'"

Look at the Evidence

 ^15-17Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes,
   God of Israel, Savior God.
Humiliated, all those others
   will be ashamed to show their faces in public.
Out of work and at loose ends, the makers of no-god idols
   won't know what to do with themselves.
The people of Israel, though, are saved by you, God,
   saved with an eternal salvation.
They won't be ashamed,
   they won't be at loose ends, ever.

For Reflection
Our unseen god has never really been unseen!  Look deeply into the eyes of the righteous; you will find God.  Look into the eyes of the suffering, you will find God.  Look into the mirrored image of you eyes; you will see God.  We are made in God's image.  The Spirit of God resides within us. Listen closely.  Study the scriptures.  Pray deeply and often.  Look for God in our eyes.

Pray
that we will recognize the Holy Spirit that resides within us.  Pray that we will accept the Spirit and allow God to work miracles within us.  Pray that others will see God in our eyes.

The Better Way

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching Values

Proverbs 15:15-19

The Message

 ¹⁵ A miserable heart means a miserable life;
   a cheerful heart fills the day with song.

 ¹⁶ A simple life in the Fear-of-God
   is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.

 ¹⁷ Better a bread crust shared in love
   than a slab of prime rib served in hate.

 ¹⁸ Hot tempers start fights;
   a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.

 ¹⁹ The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers;
   the diligent walk down a smooth road.

For Reflection
It is folly to think that we teach. It is true that we learn.  However, we learn what we wish to learn.  Therefore, it must be remembered that,  at times the most important teaching occurs without the teacher knowing it.  This means that if others are going to learn "The Way" of our Lord and Christ from one of us, they will learn the most compelling things from observing our behavior, even when we, ourselves, are unaware of how we impress others.

The central message in Proverbs is that we should become more and more aware of the consistency among our beliefs, values and action.  We need to do what we say!  We must learn how to bring people to Christ not just Christ to the people.

Pray
that your words are spoken with thoughtfulness.  Pray that your weak behaviors don't slip out destructively.  Pray that you will embrace the Holy Spirit and allow that spirit to guide your every thought and action.  Pray to tune into the wisdom that is within you because God is there to guide your life.

A Righteous Life

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching Values

Proverbs 14:27-34

The Message

 ²⁷ The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water
   so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.

 ²⁸ The mark of a good leader is loyal followers;
   leadership is nothing without a following.

 ²⁹ Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding;
   a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.

 ³⁰ A sound mind makes for a robust body,
   but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

 ³¹ You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless;
   when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.

 ³² The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold;
   the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.

 ³³ Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart—
   fools never even get to say hello.

 ³⁴ God-devotion makes a country strong;
   God-avoidance leaves people weak.

For Reflection
Righteousness is not self-serving. What does righteousness mean to you?  How does righteousness describe your daily life?  What stops you from defensive knee jerk reactions? How do avoid the seduction of tempting alternatives to God-centered action?

Pray
for those that  exploit the powerless, that lack the will to be God-centered.  Pray for control of your anger and fear.  Pray that you become a sanctuary for others.  Pray that those who reside with you reside in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Wicked and the Foolish

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching Values

Proverbs 12:12-16

The Message

 ¹² What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
   while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.

Wise People Take Advice

 ¹³ The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
   the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

 ¹⁴ Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
   well-done work has its own reward.

 ¹⁵ Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
   wise people take advice.

 ¹⁶ Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
   the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

For Reflection
Where do you live?  Where do you spend most of your time?  Where do you play?  With whom do you associate most frequently? In whom do you place trust to follow their advice and example.  Whom do you seek out for comfort.  What gives you a sense of belonging?

Take a good look at the environment in which you live.  I what ways does it support a God-centered focus?  In what ways does it challenge that focus?  What helps you meet those challenges?

Think about all those folks who live work and play in spiritually destructive environments.  Do you think rationality helps avoid the corruption of their spirits?  How do people who are immersed in tragic circumstances escape them?


Pray
prayers of thanksgiving for those with whom you surround yourself and for the God-centered advise and example they offer.  Pray that you will allow your faith to measure the advice given.  Pray for those who are immersed in spiritual impoverishment.  Pray that your God-centered wisdom will provide an example for others and God's grace will flow from your countenance.

Wisdom and Wealth

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching Values

Proverbs 10:23-28

The Message

 ²³ An empty-head thinks mischief is fun,
   but a mindful person relishes wisdom.

 ²⁴ The nightmares of the wicked come true;
   what the good people desire, they get.

 ²⁵ When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked;
   good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed.

 ²⁶ A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble;
   it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.

 ²⁷ The Fear-of-God expands your life;
   a wicked life is a puny life.

 ²⁸ The aspirations of good people end in celebration;
   the ambitions of bad people crash.

For Reflection
There's that term again, "Good People".  Aristotle suggested that those who were most credible communicators were good men.  What does it mean to be good?  It certainly wasn't a Christian in Aristotle's time.  But then again, in those days the truth was considered unknowable.  As Plato said, we could only catch a glimpse of the archetypes, never a full view of truth.

Then came Christ. Good took on a new meaning.  No longer did good mean an ethical life.  The new meaning is God-centered.  The wise speaker is one who lives and speaks through the God filter.  The paradox is that the truths spoken in the best arguments may be false while the truths spoken from God-centered faith are never false.  Rationality in the Kingdom of Human Kind may not equate to rationality in the Kingdom of God.

God-centered reality is, in the end, most practical.  It is focused on the long term and is active in day-to-day matters. God-centered wisdom turns chaos into order, storms into sunny weather, disaster into celebration.

Pray
that you will become more and more trusting in your faith.  Pray that you will take the time to listen to the God whispers and have the courage to follow His gentle hand.

Wise Words

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching Values

Proverbs 10:18-22

The Message

 ¹⁸ Liars secretly hoard hatred;
   fools openly spread slander.

 ¹⁹ The more talk, the less truth;
   the wise measure their words.

 ²⁰ The speech of a good person is worth waiting for;
   the blabber of the wicked is worthless.

 ²¹ The talk of a good person is rich fare for many,
   but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.

Fear-of-God Expands Your Life

 ²² God's blessing makes life rich;
   nothing we do can improve on God.

For Reflection
Some people are not good!  They are people who speak selfishly and do not pass their thoughts and words through a God filter. 

Certainly not you of course, but other people! You know the ones; liars, those who bombard with words of reason; the blabbers whose chatter is empty headed and without substance.  Haven't you been seduced at one time or another by a lie, talk that hides true intent and advice that seemed good, but upon examination was empty of good intent?
Life is full of things unknown and perhaps unknowable.  It is the uncertainty of fact that masks truth.

Christ has unmasked the truth.  He is the truth and sheds light on the unknowable.  It is the light of faith and trust.  It is the awesome power of God, that if you embrace, truth will become second nature.

Pray
that you will develop a faith so strong that it will let the Spirit of God guide your every thought.  Pray that you avoid the temptation which resides in the cacophony of lies and empty talk that will seduce you into false hope and action.  Pray for God-centered wisdom.

Learn It by Heart

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
From Generation to Generation

Proverbs 4:20-27

The Message

Learn It by Heart

 ^20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
   tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
   Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
   body and soul, they're bursting with health.

 ^23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
   that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth;
   avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
   ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
   and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
   leave evil in the dust.

For Reflection
Listen to the word of God.  God is the word.  Keep His wisdom in your heart, not just in your head.  Let His word permeate so deeply that the very soul of your being is the word and you can not help but be guided by it.

Pray
that you follow the road which is guided by the word of God.  Pray that you will listen to His gentle whispers of correction.  Pray that all that you say and do will be instructed by the word of God.

Listen to Good Counsel

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
From Generation to Generation

Proverbs 4:1-9

The Message

Your Life Is at Stake

 ^1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.
I'm giving you good counsel;
   don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

 ^3-9 When I was a boy at my father's knee,
   the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
   "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!
   Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
   love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
   Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won't regret it;
   never let her go—she'll make your life glorious.
She'll garland your life with grace,
   she'll festoon your days with beauty."

For Reflection
What is good Counsel?  Good counsel is born of wisdom.  All wisdom resides in God.  Therefore, good counsel is that which comes from God.  Good counsel is not selfish.  Good counsel does not demean.  Good counsel does not manipulate one into jeopardy.  Good counsel is that which has as its first interest your best interest.  Good counsel is born out of love. Good counsel uplifts and is never destructive.  Good counsel never needs an excuse to understand its good intent.

Pray
that you will listen wisely for good counsel.  Pray that you will give good counsel to others.  Pray for all those who are seduced by false counsel.  Pray that they may seek wisdom and courage to follow a wise course.

Life Long Protection

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
From Generation to Generation

Psalm 91:9-16

The Message

   You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
   Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
      I trust in you and I'm safe!"
   That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
      shields you from deadly hazards.
   His huge outstretched arms protect you—
      under them you're perfectly safe;
      his arms fend off all harm.
   Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
      not flying arrows in the day,
   Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
      not disaster that erupts at high noon.
   Even though others succumb all around,
      drop like flies right and left,
      no harm will even graze you.
   You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
      watch the wicked turn into corpses.
   Yes, because God's your refuge,
      the High God your very own home,
   Evil can't get close to you,
      harm can't get through the door.
   He ordered his angels
      to guard you wherever you go.
   If you stumble, they'll catch you;
      their job is to keep you from falling.
   You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
      and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

 ^14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
      "I'll get you out of any trouble.
   I'll give you the best of care
      if you'll only get to know and trust me.
   Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
      I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
   I'll give you a long life,
I'll give you a long drink of salvation!

For Reflection
Such are the promises of God.  In the face of all of our world's current troubles, political injustice, economic weakness, social persecution, and personal woes, God sends a clear message.  God is your refuge.  Avoid the seduction of our temporal worries, God is protecting those of you who believe in Him.  In Christ lies the truth.  Even Death has lost its sting. Take a long drink of salvation and be comforted living in the hollow of God's hand.

Pray
for the trust that surpasses all trust. Give thanks for the shield that is stronger than all shields.  Praise God for the angels who guard. Pray for the courage to act as though you have no fear.  Pray that you remain righteous while surrounded with seductive terrors.

Keep God's Commandments

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
From Generation to Generation

Joshua 23:1-8

The Message

Joshua's Charge

 ^1-2 A long time later, after God had given Israel rest from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was a venerable old man, Joshua called all Israel together—elders, chiefs, judges, and officers. Then he spoke to them: ^2-3 "I'm an old man. I've lived a long time. You have seen everything that God has done to these nations because of you. He did it because he's God, your God. He fought for you.
 ^4-5 "Stay alert: I have assigned to you by lot these nations that remain as an inheritance to your tribes—these in addition to the nations I have already cut down—from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. God, your God, will drive them out of your path until there's nothing left of them and you'll take over their land just as God, your God, promised you.
 ^6-8 "Now, stay strong and steady. Obediently do everything written in the Book of The Revelation of Moses—don't miss a detail. Don't get mixed up with the nations that are still around. Don't so much as speak the names of their gods or swear by them. And by all means don't worship or pray to them. Hold tight to God, your God, just as you've done up to now.

For Reflection
Readers of the old testament are familiar with war stories. It seems that being committed to God does not exclude involvement in war.  Yesterday's Washington Post carried an article that showed in the decades since Vietnam, the United States (indeed the whole world) has been involved in warfare.  So much so, that in spite of daily visual reports, war is almost an accepted part of our daily background.  Bombs explode, people are killed, and perhaps for all except those who are directly affected,  life as we know it continues as though nothing happened.

How is a Christian supposed to respond when opposing religious forces, however demonic,  threaten? What is our Christian inheritance?  Where is God's plan in all of this turmoil?

Now is the time, as Joshua has reminded us, "to stay strong and steady," obedient and God fearing.

Pray
that you will return to Scripture and prayer for support.  Pray that in these times of fearsome uncertainty, fear will not be your guide.  Pray that you will hold fast to the knowledge that God, in the end, will be victorious.  Pray that you will be comforted by your trust in God and your vocation in His kingdom.

Guard Your Heart and Mind

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
From Generation to Generation

Proverbs 23:15-19

The Message

 ^15-16 Dear child, if you become wise,
   I'll be one happy parent.
My heart will dance and sing
   to the tuneful truth you'll speak.
^17-18 Don't for a minute envy careless rebels;
   soak yourself in the Fear-of-God—
That's where your future lies.
   Then you won't be left with an armload of nothing.
^19-21 Oh listen, dear child—become wise;
   point your life in the right direction.
Don't drink too much wine and get drunk;
   don't eat too much food and get fat.
Drunks and gluttons will end up on skid row,
   in a stupor and dressed in rags.


For Reflection
Can you name five or so people whose advice you have heeded with good success.  I can.  Some of the "sages" whose council I have followed were not always the most righteous.  Their advice was valuable non-the-less.  The histories of previous generations and the advice council that is born of their wisdom should be celebrated.  Even taking a hard look at ourselves at our worst is instructive.  Learn to interpret history and council from the fear of God.  The wisdom of the past will be tempered in truth.

Pray
that the fear of God will guide your interpretation of past events.  Pray that this same reliance on a God-centered life will guide how you interpret the advice and council of others.  Pray that you will always embrace the truth of the Holy Spirit that is in you.

The Profit from Wisdom

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Righteousness and Wisdom

Proverbs 3:13-26

The Message

The Very Tree of Life

 ^13-18 You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,
   when you make friends with Madame Insight.
She's worth far more than money in the bank;
   her friendship is better than a big salary.
Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth;
   nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
With one hand she gives long life,
   with the other she confers recognition.
Her manner is beautiful,
   her life wonderfully complete.
She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.
   Hold her tight—and be blessed!

 ^19-20 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth;
   with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
   and dew to descend from the night skies.

Never Walk Away

 ^21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
   don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
   they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
   you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
   you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
   or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
   he'll keep you safe and sound.


For Reflection
The world is full or well schooled but uneducated people, people who know all the rules and can site scripture on any topic but who lack the ability to apply all that they know to righteous living.  It is like working in a university school of communication where none of the faculty can communicate well enough to get along.

Perhaps what is missing is a superordinate principle.  For Christians the belief that God is the source of all wisdom and the conviction that He will make it all good may be that principle.  The psalmist speaks of the power of such God derived wisdom.  The result of embracing God's wisdom is a life of confident hope.  Nothing seems to beat the wisdom of God's abiding love and protection.

Pray
that you live a life free from the burden of unexpected alarm.  Pray that you give your life over to God and have confidence that he will keep you safe and sound.  Pray that you will accept the God derived wisdom and have the courage for such wisdom to be the foundation of you righteous life.

Wisdom in Relationships

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Righteousness and Wisdom

Proverbs 3:27-35

The Message

 ^27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
   your hand is God's hand for that person.
Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time"
   or "Try me tomorrow"
   when the money's right there in your pocket.
Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
   when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

 ^30-32 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
   always spoiling for a fight.
Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
   Why be a bully?
"Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls.
   It's the straightforward who get his respect.

 ^33-35 God's curse blights the house of the wicked,
   but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
   but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor;
   stupid living gets the booby prize.

For Reflection
A lot of the Old Testament wisdom literature is characterized by punishment for foolish choices and rewards for righteous choices.  The unwelcome events in our lives are not always a result of God's punishment.  Neither are all of the good things that happen to us favors from God.  Good things do happen to bad people and bad things do happen to good people.  Sometimes choosing a righteous path is risky and results in undesirable situations.  Just ask Paul.

But suffering, like art is in the eye (or in this case, perhaps, the soul) of the beholder.  One reward of righteous living is the ability to transcend suffering.   The object of acting on God's wisdom is to develop full, authentic and supportive relationships where God can work His miracles of grace.

Pray
that you will develop supportive relationships in which the Holy Spirit may do miraculous work.  Pray that you words and action are ones of healing, reconciliation, and mutual support.  Pray for the hope in a righteous life for all people.