I remember a conversation from a while back, about why people read the Bible. There were lots of responses.
I read it for wisdom.
Wisdom is all over the pages of today’s chapters: common sense, success, insight, strength, good judgment, knowledge, discernment. It stands in opposition of evil (pride, arrogance, corruption, perverse speech).
Wisdom is right, true, wholesome. Proverbs reads to choose wisdom over wealth.
Wisdom, created before the first handful of soil. Wisdom, God’s constant delight that rejoiced in His presence. Wisdom, Paul’s prayer for believers–that we would grow in knowledge of God.
15 Ever since I f
irst heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:15-18 NLT.
I leafed through past posts that brought up very vivid memories of things I’ve faced these past few years. I felt thankful for God’s presence in my life, the power of His Word sustaining (correcting, encouraging, comforting, guiding) me. The look back is much more than notes across a page–these were very real events, real tears–and real truth about a real God.
His Word tells me who He is. What He can do. It tells me who I am and whose I am. And often, it tells me things that go very opposite of a faulty first response: bless an enemy, pray for those who persecute you, do not return evil for evil.
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8 NLT.
There’s so much more to learn about Him–and I don’t want to stop.
All praise to you, Father. And deepest thanks.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 