Discover His heart: He is wisdom, understanding and counsel for those who reverence Him
I know others may never have done this…I mean, only a procrastinator would need to do it. But I confess – I have done it. I remember a moment of sheer panic back in college when I realized a big exam was the next day, and I hadn’t studied. There was no time to read the entire History of Western Civilization. At that time, I hadn’t really lived much of it, so first-hand knowledge was not very helpful. I decided to study just the large, the colorful and the bold print in my history book, and somehow the next day I aced that exam. I learned what happened in history, but I didn’t know why.
Several times through the years I have chosen to read for the week just the red letters in a red-letter edition of the Bible. These are the powerful words of Jesus, the wisdom of Christ, who is our Counselor, words that teach us how to live. However, I think I would be short-changing myself if I didn’t read ALL of God’s word on a regular basis, all the Old Testament stories and New Testament inspiration because they give an explanation of why He said what He said. He used these illustrations Himself on occasion as examples. Because of this, I love ALL Scripture, but I must admit that sometimes those red letters just knock my socks off, so to speak.
Proverbs 8
In our reading today, Solomon was finishing up his lessons on wisdom. He concluded that wisdom is for everyone (1-5). It is easy to understand and find (8,9,17). It is invaluable (18), true and fair (20). It is established, not whimsical and elusive. (22-31).
In Proverbs 8, wisdom itself explains how it was established, “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before He created anything else. I was before the earth…before the oceans…before the mountains…before the soil…before the heavens and oceans…before the clouds and seas…I was the architect at His side…I was His constant delight.” (22-31) Wisdom described here sounds a lot like Jesus, the Word with us of John 1 and the wisdom of God in I Corinthians 1:24.
Most do not believe Proverbs 8 is an Old Testament representation of Jesus but instead tells how, with wisdom’s skill, God created the Universe. Neither a scholar nor a theologian, I am not required to debate this, which brings me great happiness, but one thing I know, “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, and Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:1) Jesus, the Messiah, is wisdom, understanding and counsel!
When I need wisdom and counsel from heaven, I read those red letters in the Bible, the words of Jesus, the One who was there at the very beginning with God. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, He tells me truths I need to know about relationships, finances, success, eternity and everything else that concerns me… and Him. It’s all right there in red!
Moving Forward: With gratitude in my heart, I move through this day, confident that His wisdom will counsel and help me. With certainty, I know I will need it.
Tomorrow @ Ezekiel 19-24
Phyllis Benigas 