Dave's Diary

Prayer

Lord of all Wisdom, You are my life and my salvation. Grant me the grace to find life-giving wisdom in Your Word today. Amen.

Reading

Read Proverbs 15 slowly and prayerfully. Notice which verse particularly jumps out at you. Re-read that verse a few times, slowly. Write it down in your journal. Try to memorise it so that you can reflect on it without having to read from the page.

Prayerful Reflection

Now take that Proverb and think about your life at the moment. Is there a situation in your life to which that Proverb applies. Ask the Lord how this verse from His Word is telling you to live out His wisdom in that situation. Make notes in your journal.

A Devotional Thought

Proverbs 15: 
²¹ Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Standing at the crossroads of a decision about how to live, what to do, or how to behave in a given situation, the difference between “the fool” (“one who has no sense”) and “the wise” (“whoever has understanding”) becomes apparent.

One who lacks wisdom quickly takes the path that will make them happy, regardless of the rightness of that path in the Lord’s eyes. The criterion for this person is not what pleases the Lord but rather what will be easy, comfortable or enjoyable. The Proverb warns us that this is a foolish way to live.

One the other hand, a wise person will stand at the crossroads and look for the right road – the one that is pleasing to the Lord – regardless of the fact that it will be difficult, uncomfortable or costly. A wise person does what is right, honest, loving, kind or just – even when it hurts. Whether it leads to their happiness is irrelevant to them. To them it is only the Lord’s happiness that matters. The Proverbs commends such a person as wise.

Now while the Lord’s happiness ought to be enough for us, Proverbs 15:24 kindly reminds us that the path that is pleasing to the Lord is the “path of life”. The Good News Version is lovely, “Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life”. Yes that road is more difficult. But it is the road to life. Let’s choose life today!

Prayer

Almighty God, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word. Thank You for loving us so much that You give us Your Word to guide us in the path of true Life. Help me to walk in the path of wisdom and choose Life today, even when the going gets tough. Amen.