The Lord Giveth Wisdom

(This blog post was written for my new website, ProverbsEveryDay.com.)

Recently, my mother gave me an Amazon gift card for my birthday. I promptly used it, before I got another day older, to purchase a commentary on Proverbs by Gary Brady, part of the Welwyn Commentary Series.

Just yesterday, I opened the book for the first time to read the introductory material. There I read Brady’s suggestions for getting the most out of the commentary, which delight me. They are as follows:

1. It is an interactive commentary. It can be read chapter by chapter or used as a reference to consult on individual verses in Proverbs. I love both!

2. It is a devotional commentary. “The chief end of this commentary is to draw you nearer to God.” Ah! This warms my heart! This is exactly how I use Proverbs every day. Indeed, this is the purpose for this website. It’s why I love to promote the practice of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day. It’s how I start every morning: Proverbs and coffee!

3. It is a practical commentary. “The purpose of this commentary is also to provide a practical tool that will enable the reader to put into practice what is written in Proverbs.” How practical the book of Proverbs is! For an example, here’s very practical guidance from Proverbs: “Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not: neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.” (Proverbs 27:10)

4. It is a Christian commentary. Brady says, “‘What does this teach us about [Christ]?’ has been a constant question.” This is refreshing. Christ is the “wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24) In Him are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3) God has made Christ our “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) We can read Proverbs every day for a hundred years. But if we don’t know Christ, we don’t know wisdom.

Along that same thought, Brady begins the Preface of his commentary with a quote from C. H. Spurgeon: “Solomon made a Book of Proverbs but a Book of Proverbs won’t make a Solomon.” He goes on to say these important words: “In one way I would like to say, ‘Read this commentary and you will be wise.’ However, having studied the book of Proverbs I know by experience that wisdom does not come in that simplistic fashion. Reading the book of Proverbs itself will not guarantee you wisdom. It was God who made Solomon wise and He alone can make you wise. However, in His providence, close attention to the proverbs can certainly be one of the things that He uses to give you wisdom. It is my prayer that this will be the case.” I echo Gary Brady’s prayer for any who read anything on this website or who begin the practice of reading Proverbs every day.

Now here is why I am sharing this blog post. There are many times when I happen upon “coincidences” in my devotional reading. This morning I experienced one of those coincidences while reading Proverbs 2 after having read the opening of Brady’s commentary.

Proverbs 2:1 – 8

1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6. FOR THE LORD GIVETH WISDOM: our of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and perserveth the way of His saints.

“For the Lord giveth wisdom” jumped off the page for me this morning. Wisdom is not purely something we develop by our own learning or experience, not true wisdom which begins with the fear of the Lord. This is something that only God can give. And He is willing to give it. So amazing! Who does He give it to? Those who cry for it, those who lift up their voices for it, those who seek and search for it as if they were seeking for treasure! Through such sincere whole-hearted seeking we will “understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Of such knowledge is the essence of eternal life: “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) “Dear Mr. Brady, I just saw Jesus in the Proverbs.”

Let’s go back to Spurgeon’s reference to Solomon. Yes, Solomon wrote much of the book of Proverbs. He also wrote Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. Indeed, it was written, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake thee thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.” (1 Kings 4:29 – 34)

But wait! There’s more! How did Solomon become so wise? Yes, the verses above tell that “God gave Solomon wisdom.” But there’s more:

2 Chronicles 1:7 – 12

7. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9. Now, O Lord God, let Thy promise unto David my father be established: for Thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this Thy people, that is so great?
11. And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee king:
12. Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

How did Solomon get such wisdom? HE ASKED FOR IT! Look at all the things listed that most men would have asked for in the same circumstance! Most men would have treated God like a genie that just popped out of a bottle and asked for all of those things of which Solomon did not ask. He saw the responsibility to lead God’s people which was laid before him and he was humbled. He also recognized the majesty of God and his responsibility to God. He asked for that which would enable him to lead such a great nation and bring glory to God. He asked for wisdom. God gave it to him.

What does Solomon in turn say to all of us? “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as sliver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. FOR THE LORD GIVETH WISDOM…”

“Dear Lord, grant us grace to choose Your wisdom above all other things which we might ask for. Grant us grace to seek such wisdom, to cry out for it, to lift up our voices to You for it, to know that only You give true wisdom. Grant us such wisdom, Lord, that we might glorify You and that we might walk worthy of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

And Now We Turn 25

(What a good looking kid!)

Where has 25 years gone?

25 years ago, and for many years along the way, I was developing this website in Notepad. We were hardcore in those days. Dream Weaver? No thanks! I like making HTML errors. Now we have this fancy WordPress machine to crank out blog posts.

But the funny thing is that I post way less than I did back in the day. I guess it’s that way with most things. You start out hot and really into it. Then it fades over time. However, I have been thinking about writing more regularly again. At least for my own sake. Now that I am 25 years older than I was in 2000, dementia is more a possibility than a joke. I should write more to exercise my brain. And to keep track of things in case I forget them. “Bloggingsam… The Golden Years”

I don’t have any readers though. “Build it and they will come.” Yeah, maybe. People used to sign up to be on my email list years ago. I bet I could dig up copies of those old email notifications I used to send out. Hold on. I gotta go search my old Yahoo email account. Good thing I never delete emails.

You know what? I found some emails from those old days. I don’t want to share any of them. I was kind of obnoxious and vain back then. I found an email in which someone asked to be removed from my email list because they found me to be “unreliable” and “tasteless.” They never knew when they got an email from me whether my content would be worth their time. So, I replied with an obnoxious email. That’s embarrassing.

So let’s just move on. Maybe I’ll do more posts. Maybe I won’t. Maybe my website and I will simply fade out into the greyness of dementia and not worry about it.

If you are interested, here is my first post from December 30, 2000: Snow and Chinese Food. Beware of tastelessness and obnoxiousness along the way if you decide to read more posts in the big pile of this website. There may be a few things worth your time. Then again, one man’s tastelessness is another man’s time worthiness. The eye of the beholder and all that.

To anyone who ever reads this post, Thanks for noticing me.

As the Shining Light that Shines More and More

Thomas Manton
John Owen, 1616 – 1683

Here’s another “coincidence” in my daily reading. This time between Proverbs 4:18 from my daily reading of Proverbs: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day,” and a section of John Owen on that same verse which I “happened” to read the same day.

I am almost finished reading Owen’s “Meditations and Discourses Concerning the Glory of Christ,” which followed his longer “Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ, in His Person, Office, and Grace: with the Differences Between Faith and Sight; Applied unto the Use of Them That Believe.”

Sidebar: Why don’t authors use such magnificently lengthy descriptive titles anymore?

Let me quote Owen. This is from Owen’s Works, volume 2, pages 438 – 440, Banner of Truth edition.

That this spiritual life is in its nature and constitution such as will abide, thrive, and grow to the end, is three ways testified unto in the Scripture.

In that it is compared unto things of the most infallible increase and progress; for besides that its growth is frequently likened unto that of plants and trees well-watered, and in a fruitful soil, which fail not to spring, unless it be from some external violence; it is likewise compared unto such things as whose progress is absolutely infallible, Prov. 4:18, “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” The path of the just is his covenant-walk before God, as it is frequently called in the Scripture, Ps. 119:35, 105; Isa. 26:7; Ps. 23:3; Matt. 3:3; Heb. 12:13; and it compriseth the principle, profession, and fruits of it. This, saith the wise man, is as the shining light; that is, the morning light. And wherein is it so? Why, as that goeth on by degrees, and shineth more and more unto the high noon (though it may be interrupted sometimes by clouds and storms); so is this path of the just, – it goes on and increaseth unto the high noon, the perfect day of glory. It is in its nature so to do, though it may sometimes meet with obstructions, as we shall see afterward; and so doth the morning light also.

There is no visible difference, as unto light, between the light of the morning and the light of the evening; yea, this latter sometimes, from gleams of the setting sun, seems to be more glorious than the other. But herein they differ: the first goes on gradually unto more light, until it comes to perfection; the other gradually gives place unto darkness, until it comes to be midnight. So is it as unto the light of the just and of the hypocrite, and so is it as unto their paths. At first setting out they may seem alike and equal; yea, convictions and spiritual gifts acted with corrupt ends in some hypocrites, may for a time give a greater lustre of profession than the grace of others sincerely converted unto God may attain unto. But herein they discover their different natures: the one increaseth and goeth on constantly, though it may be sometimes but faintly; the other decays, grows dim, gives place to darkness and crooked walking.

This, then, is the nature of the path of the just; and where it is otherwise with us in our walk before God, we can have no evidence that we are in that path, or that we have a living, growing principle of spiritual life in us. And it is fit that professors of all sorts should be minded of these things; for we may see not a few of them under visible decays, without any sincere endeavors after a recovery, who yet please themselves that the root of the matter is in them. It is so, if love of the world, conformity unto it, negligence in holy duties, and coldness in spiritual love, be an evidence of such decays. But let none deceive their own souls; wherever there is a saving principle of grace, it will be thriving and growing unto the end. And if it fall under obstructions, and thereby into decays for a season, it will give no rest or quietness unto the soul wherein it is, but will labor continually for a recovery. Peace in a spiritually-decaying condition, is a soul-ruining security; better be under terror on the account of surprisal into some sin, than be in peace under evident decays of spiritual life.

And, by the way, this comparing of the path of the just unto the morning light minds me of what I have seen more than once. That light hath sometimes cheerfully appeared unto the world, when, after a little season, by reason of clouds, tempests, and storms, it hath given place again to darkness, like that of the night; but it hath not so been lost and buried like the evening light. After a while it hath recovered itself unto a greater lustre than before, manifesting that it increased in itself whilst it was eclipsed as to us. So hath it been with not a few at their first conversion unto God: great darkness and trouble have, by the efficacy of temptation and injections of Satan, possessed their minds; but the grace which they have received, being as the morning light, hath after a while disentangled itself, and given evidence that it was so far from being extinguished, as that it grew and thrived under all those clouds and darkness; for the light of the just doth in the issue always increase by temptations, as that of the hypocrite is constantly impaired by them.

Again, as it is as the morning light, than which nothing hath a more assured progress; so it is called by our Savior “living water,” John 4:10, yea, “a well of water, springing up into everlasting life,” verse 14. It is an indeficient spring, – not a pool or pond, though never so large, which may be dried up. Many such pools of light, gifts, and profession, have we seen utterly dried up, when they have come into age, or been insnared by the temptations of the world. And we may see others every day under dangerous decays; their countenances are changed, and they have lost that oil which makes the face of a believer to shine, – namely, the oil of love, meekness, self-denial, and spirituality of converse; and instead thereof, there is spread upon them the fulsome ointment of pride, self-love earthly-mindedness, which increaseth on them more and more. But where this principle of spiritual life is, it is as the morning light, as an indeficient spring that never fails, nor can do so, until it issue in eternal life. And sundry other ways there are whereby the same truth is asserted in the Scripture.

Why did I quote this lengthy passage?

Because of the charming old word “indeficient,” of course! And the spelling of “lustre!” (Lustré? “Must be Italian!”) (In case your perception of the preceding reference is lackluster, see here: https://youtu.be/4ewXbqRUdjU?si=slIhPazGOPYSJZ_E)

I quoted it at length because it gives me hope. And that is because Owen recognizes that a Christian’s progress in sanctification is not always steady and bright. “It may be interrupted sometimes by clouds and storms.” When a true believer backslides, falls into sin, is fainthearted and gives up – “falls into decay,” as Owen terms it, there is yet a “principle of saving grace” that “will give no rest or quietness unto the soul wherein it is, but will labor continually for a recovery.”

Owen writes about these “decays” as being “for a season.” For me, that season lasted for such a length that it makes me often question whether I had such a principle of grace within me to begin with, or whether grace truly entered my heart just a few years ago. Sometimes, due to continued frequent fallings and failings, I question if God’s grace is truly within me even now. So it’s almost a moot point. Was I truly saved at age 17 while still in high school? And then did I fall away for “a season,” that season lasting 22 years? Did the clouds then start to clear to allow the light of the grace within me to shine again? You know what? This is what matters: “TODAY if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.” (Heb. 3:15) “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17)

“Lord, I come. O, forsake me not utterly.”

Foretastes of the Glory to Be Revealed

This morning, in my daily Bible reading, I read Luke 9. In this chapter is the account of the Transfiguration.

Luke 9:28 – 36

28. And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29. And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering.
30. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31. Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32. But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him.
33. And it came to pass, as they departed from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him.
36. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Then, while reading Haldane on Romans 8:18, he referred to the Transfiguration in the following way.

Romans 8:18 – “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Haldane:

The Apostle had been reminding those to whom he wrote, that their sufferings with Christ is the way appointed by God to bring them to glory. Here he encourages them to endure affliction, because there is no comparison between their present sufferings and their future glory. In order to encourage the Israelites to sustain the difficulties that presented themselves in their entry into Canaan, God sent them of the fruits of the land while they were still in the desert. Our blessed Lord, too, permitted some of His disciples to witness His transfiguration, when His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as light. This was calculated to inspire them with an ardent desire to behold that heavenly glory, of which, on that occasion, they had a transient glimpse, and to render them more patient in sustaining the troubles they were about to encounter. In the same manner God acts towards His people when they suffer in this world. He sends them of the fruits of the heavenly Canaan, and allowing them to enjoy a measure of that peace which passeth all understanding, He favors them with some foretastes of the glory to be revealed.

Sometimes I have thought, What was the purpose of the Transfiguration? It used to seem like a disconnected event to me. Sure, it gave further proof to the three apostles that was the Son of God. They heard Him conversing about His upcoming death at Jerusalem. It gave them much to contemplate and proclaim later. But it seemed disjointed to me. Over the years I have come to think otherwise. Haldane’s reference to it as an inspiration to be kept in mind during the trials make it more integral to the Christian experience. Praise God.

But He Giveth More Grace

This morning I read my daily chapter of Proverbs. Since it is the third day of the month, I read chapter 3.

Then I went to the New Testament to read the next chapter in my daily reading of the Epistles, which was James 4.

In James 4:6 there is a quotation from Proverbs 3:34.

James 4:6 – “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Proverbs 3:34 – “Surely He scorneth the scorners: but He giveth grace unto the lowly.”

Before reading this I was struggling with unrighteous thoughts. I was tempted to avoid reading my Bible. Instead, by God’s grace, I decided to read despite my thoughts and emotions. So I read Proverbs 3 out loud. That helped me to pray, to consider trusting the Lord with all my heart and leaning not to my own understanding, to acknowledge Him in all my ways so that He would make my paths straight, to even pray for help on a work related issue where my path is currently not straight and clear.

Then I flipped over to James. The first half of the chapter spoke directly to me in my exact current frame of mind as far as the unrighteous thoughts go. James cuts right to the heart.

James 4
1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye might consume it upon your lusts.
4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6. But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

This passage was so mightily helpful to me this morning. The “coincidence” in my reading made me smile as soon as I saw it. The thought of being an enemy of God by being a friend of the world made me recoil from my unrighteous thoughts. The idea that friendship with the world makes me an adulterer made me think that I want nothing to do with such a shameful thing. Therefore, I prayed, I read more Scripture, I wrote this – instead of allowing worldly thoughts to dominate me first thing in the morning.

“God, grant me Your grace to carry on through the day on a straight path. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.”

grandpashabet | cratosroyalbet | cratosroyalbet giriş | bahsegel giriş | bets10 | meritking | meritbet giriş | grandpashabet | grandpashabet giriş | bets10 giriş | meritking | meritking giriş | bets10 giriş | bahsegel | betsmove giriş | bets10 | meritbet | holiganbet | casibom |