Dave's Diary

Having completed daily devotions from the Old Testament history books at a chapter-a-day, our daily devotions now shift to the Book of Proverbs for the remainder of 2022.

Proverbs is a book in the “Wisdom Literature” genre comprising a collection of short memorable statements of practical life-wisdom. In his commentary, John Philips writes: ““Proverbs … are not failed prophecies or systematic theologies. (The Book of) Proverbs … lays out pointed observations, meant to be memorized and pondered, not always intended to be applied ‘across the board’ to every situation without qualification.”

We’ll do well to remember this definition of proverbs as we read and pray through this unique Bible book.

Daily Readings: Proverbs 1:1-7 and Psalm 36

Proverbs 1:1-7 explains that the aim of this book is to offer the reader the opportunity to have one’s practical daily life transformed by “wisdom and instruction”. The aim is a wise life, characterised by prudent behaviour. That’s behaviour that is right, just and fair. While “knowledge” has to do with accumulating facts, “wisdom” is the correct practical life-application of that knowledge in order to accomplish a particular desired outcome.

Proverbs 1:7 says that true wisdom is born of what it calls “the fear of the Lord”. I understand this to mean a reverent and loving sense of awe and wonder at the glory, greatness, holiness and perfection of God which leads us to desire nothing more than to please the Lord in every way possible. The “fear of the Lord” describes the attitude of a person whose deepest “desired outcome” for their daily behaviour is to please the Lord! So, the truest wisdom is then the understanding and discernment of how to live my daily life in a way that pleases my Lord.

Let’s reflect on this truth today as disciples: A wise disciple desires nothing more than to please one’s Lord. In every situation let us seek to weigh up our behaviours against this question: “Will this please the Lord?”

Holy Spirit, please grant me the spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment, to be able to correctly apply my knowledge of the Lord Jesus and His will in order to live this day in a way that pleases my Lord. Amen.