12/03/2008

Is Anybody Listening?

I am somehow managing to crawl of the hole that I’ve been hiding in for a while now due to demands on my time that was and still is very taxing. In an effort to remain a bit more devoted to this blog as well as a promised made to new babe in Christ – we will be going through the book of Proverbs together. The month of December is perfect because it has been suggested that one can read a chapter per day and cover the book of Proverbs.


I always love a challenge and I am on to begin a journey as I ponder the truths uttered by the old king – the wisest king –Solomon. Embedded in that precious book are precious gems. These truths contained touch upon some very important areas of the human life such as acquiring and using wealth, making and keeping friends, building a happy home, avoiding temptation and trouble, controlling our feelings, disciplining the tongue, and building godly character.

And so the book opens with: The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel.


The first verse has plenty of references next to it and they were very telling. I find the question that God asks of Solomon very interesting and it is the following:

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you." 1 Kings 3:5


Whatever – hmm.

It was Solomon’s response that provided us with the very book of Proverbs. Here’s what the king said:

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. 1 Kings 3:9

I am impressed. Why? You might ask. I seriously doubt this would have been my response. Really. I could have easily come up with a list. 1. How soon can I quit my job 2. Ideal family life. 3. Not to forget – plenty of cash 4. Removal of fears of any kind. And on and on the list would go. As you can see it’s all about me, myself and I (the other false trinity). Just so you know King Solomon – you were indeed very wise for asking for discerning heart. Had I have one, I could have avoided much troubles, pains, and heartaches. I am grateful for a God of second chances. No – I meant a God of thousand of thousands chances. Indeed very thankful Father that your mercies are new every day.

The story continues…

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 1 Kings 3:10-12


I love the fact that the Lord was pleased. I want to learn from the heroes of the faith who have gone before me who pleased the Lord. I imagine the Lord smiling or clapping ‘well done Solomon’. How sweet are these words? Jesus once was so please with his disciples when they came back with a report after He had sent them out to preach the good news about the kingdom that He jumped up and down with excitement.


And in response – “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” 1 Kings 4:29
So much that: He spoke with thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 1 Kings 4:32. These inspiring sayings or proverbs have much to teach us about God, man, sin, creation, and a host of other topics. The first few chapters introduce to two important ladies: Wisdom and Folly.

Wisdom and folly are personified as women in Proverbs and each has different motives. I am ready to sit at the feet of Lady Wisdom (as wisdom is referred to in the first 9 chapters of Proverbs) as she continues to cry and shout to get our attention. As for Lady Folly- she wants to get us on the wrong path which leads to death. Well- each wants to control our lives, and we must make the choice. After we have committed ourselves to the Lord and His wisdom, we must recognize that there are consequences to the decisions we make.

Speak Lord!!!

2 comments:

  1. preach it! love this. oh to have a heart that would ask for wisdom. and oh to make the savior pleased!

    i am looking forward to learning along with you. proverbs is full of "good stuff" that i often skim over. it will be good to dig in.

    glad to see you back,
    sheryl

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  2. Hi Sheryl-
    You are right it's loaded with 'good stuff' - glad to hear you can come along.

    God bless!

    Myriam

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