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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
You will live longer because of me, and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will help you.
If you mock, you alone will be held responsible. (Proverbs 9:10-12 GW)
(Context—Proverbs 9:1-18 GW)
Some choices are easy while others seem impossible. On any given day, we make hundreds of choices, often without realizing it.
We choose when to get up—even though it may be out of obligation or commitment. What we eat, drink, wear, and where we go or don't go are all choices.
But it's easy to choose without choosing—to settle into a routine—even to let others make choices for us. Whether we choose or choose not to choose—we alone are responsible for our choices.
Raising and caring for children seems like a never-ending challenge of choice-making—especially with toddlers and pre-schoolers! It's often a fine line between making suggestions and giving options to holding firm on boundaries and expectations.
This battle of wills can seem tedious and never-ending yet it's critical. How a child is raised early-on impacts their entire life. This is the essence of the admonitions in the book of Proverbs and is summed up once again in Chapter 9.
Whether we choose or choose not to choose—we alone are responsible for our choices
We're reminded of a simple truth stated in the first chapter of Proverbs—
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
We gain true wisdom with a right perspective of who God is and who we are with respect to Him.
But this is based on knowing God. True understanding and wisdom are founded on a personal relationship with God not just gathering knowledge and insights about Him.
This is practical wisdom—useful in everyday life. But this requires a commitment to continue to make wise choices—not only in mundane things but when it comes to making those hard choices in life. That's our responsibility and it cannot be deferred to someone else.
Reflection—
We gain true wisdom with a right perspective of who God is and who we are with respect to Him. But this is based on knowing God in a personal way.
Prayer Focus—
Ask God for discernment and wisdom at the beginning of each day so you can make wise choices throughout the day. Before you make major decisions, ask for God's guidance.
©Word-Strong_2018
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