Proverbs 28:23 – ²³He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.

Another bit of wisdom from Proverbs today. How often have you had someone try to ‘suck up’ to you? It can be a flattering experience…but often wanes very quickly. We were designed to rise to challenges, to change and adapt to our environments. We have an urge to be tested. In my own personal experience, I surround myself with people that are extremely skilled in some area in their life. They challenge me and are a source of learning on new and diverse topics. It is such a blessing to have people like this in your life. Make a point to actively seek these people out and be willing to challenge them as much as they challenge you.

Prayer

Father, I pray today for the fortitude of conscience. That I will speak my mind when I feel it necessary. That I won’t shrink back from the challenges of others and from challenging others. It is on Your foundation alone that I attain true wisdom. Help me to use that wisdom to the glory of Your Kingdom.

Amen.

Proverbs 4:1-6

Wisdom Is Supreme

¹ Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding. ² I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.

³ When I was a boy in my father’s house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,

⁴ he taught me and said,
“Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

The book of Proverbs talks frequently about wisdom. The old statement of ‘Knowledge is power’ rings true through out it. Solomon, one of the most powerful and wealthiest rulers of all time, was known to be one of the wisest as well. He specifically asked for that gift when the Lord asked him what he wanted as a young man. That wisdom was already beginning to show in his response.

Prayer

Lord, Help us to seek your wisdom every day. Let our hearts and minds be filled with the knowledge of the scriptures to guide us through the perils of this earthly place.

Amen.

Proverbs 25:6-7 - ⁶Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; ⁷it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

I have always like the book of Proverbs. It’s the ‘Big Book of Common Sense’, or what many of us have come to know as common sense. Just good old practical advice. “Don’t hang out at your neighbors all day every day…or he might really start to not like you.” (Ch. 25:17) These specific verses talk about always staying in a humble state of mind. Jesus’ ministry spoke of this often. The beatitudes, washing of the disciples feet, “who will be at your right hand Jesus?”,…all of these showed instances where lowering yourself into a serving role would actually gain you more respect and honor.

Think about the times in your life when you’ve went out of your way to serve someone else. You’ll probably notice that you come away having gained the favor of another and having more self respect than you did prior.