The Foundation for Living
The Foundation for Living
Today’s reading: Proverbs 1-5
Proverbs 1:7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Where do we find the instruction manual for life? Today, we are flooded with countless voices claiming to have the answers. On the radio, numerous people assert they know the right solutions for our conflicted world. The web provides countless voices, each claiming to have the right insight for life. It is estimated that there are over 1.5 million Instagram influencers with more than 100,000 followers, and this is just in the United States alone. Today, everything revolves around getting hits to your website. People turn to these influencers for advice on everything from the latest fashion trends to which party to vote for. According to the Pew Research, the most common topics on these Instagram accounts are U.S. politics, social and moral issues, and international conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine war.
As we explore the book of Proverbs, the sage immediately challenges us to consider how we shape our view of life, the world, and morality. Who we listen to influences how we answer these questions. The greatest danger is following those who say what we want to hear. We tend to listen to voices that align with our political views, podcasts that confirm our beliefs about social and moral issues debated in our country. However, for the wise, the starting point is not our own reason or the moral perspective of the world. The foundation upon which our understanding of life depends is rooted in the fear of the Lord (vs 7). The fear of the Lord is more than just an attitude of worship; it is the framework through which we discover life’s answers. Throughout the Old Testament law, the fear of the Lord was the central focus and anchor for building our lives. But the fear of the Lord is not just a feeling of awe or even apprehension of God. It is the response of faith that comes from hearing, learning, and responding to God’s word. To fear God is synonymous with loving Him, being faithful to Him, and serving Him in all aspects of our life. It is the North Star that gives us direction in the moral and spiritual decisions of life.
When we examine the book of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord is the foundation upon which one properly understands the wisdom and knowledge of God. When it states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, this is not merely the starting point for beginning the journey of life in a relationship with God; it is the basis of our entire relationship with Him and how we understand and decide how to live. To abandon the fear of God is to embrace folly and to forsake true knowledge and wisdom (1:28-29). The fool is not simply someone who lacks understanding or is intellectually deficient. Instead, the fool is the one who listens to the voice of the world, which bases its moral truth on human wisdom rather than God's. However, wisdom is not naturally ingrained within us. Due to sin, we embrace the folly of the world. Instead, we need to seek wisdom by obeying God’s moral law, which He established in creation and in His law (2:1-6). Fools are morally corrupt and blind because they reject God’s law in favor of their own. They rely on their understanding and consider themselves wise in their own eyes, instead of recognizing that true wisdom comes only when we set aside our own understanding and embrace God's wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-7).
As we begin our reading of Proverbs, we are immediately confronted with a choice. Are we going to listen to the folly of the world that pursues their own morality, or are we going to seek the wisdom of God that comes through the moral law of God? The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble (4:19). But the way of wisdom leads to health and the springs of life (4:21-23). Which way are we going to choose?
Today’s reading: Proverbs 1-5
Proverbs 1:7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Where do we find the instruction manual for life? Today, we are flooded with countless voices claiming to have the answers. On the radio, numerous people assert they know the right solutions for our conflicted world. The web provides countless voices, each claiming to have the right insight for life. It is estimated that there are over 1.5 million Instagram influencers with more than 100,000 followers, and this is just in the United States alone. Today, everything revolves around getting hits to your website. People turn to these influencers for advice on everything from the latest fashion trends to which party to vote for. According to the Pew Research, the most common topics on these Instagram accounts are U.S. politics, social and moral issues, and international conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine war.
As we explore the book of Proverbs, the sage immediately challenges us to consider how we shape our view of life, the world, and morality. Who we listen to influences how we answer these questions. The greatest danger is following those who say what we want to hear. We tend to listen to voices that align with our political views, podcasts that confirm our beliefs about social and moral issues debated in our country. However, for the wise, the starting point is not our own reason or the moral perspective of the world. The foundation upon which our understanding of life depends is rooted in the fear of the Lord (vs 7). The fear of the Lord is more than just an attitude of worship; it is the framework through which we discover life’s answers. Throughout the Old Testament law, the fear of the Lord was the central focus and anchor for building our lives. But the fear of the Lord is not just a feeling of awe or even apprehension of God. It is the response of faith that comes from hearing, learning, and responding to God’s word. To fear God is synonymous with loving Him, being faithful to Him, and serving Him in all aspects of our life. It is the North Star that gives us direction in the moral and spiritual decisions of life.
When we examine the book of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord is the foundation upon which one properly understands the wisdom and knowledge of God. When it states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, this is not merely the starting point for beginning the journey of life in a relationship with God; it is the basis of our entire relationship with Him and how we understand and decide how to live. To abandon the fear of God is to embrace folly and to forsake true knowledge and wisdom (1:28-29). The fool is not simply someone who lacks understanding or is intellectually deficient. Instead, the fool is the one who listens to the voice of the world, which bases its moral truth on human wisdom rather than God's. However, wisdom is not naturally ingrained within us. Due to sin, we embrace the folly of the world. Instead, we need to seek wisdom by obeying God’s moral law, which He established in creation and in His law (2:1-6). Fools are morally corrupt and blind because they reject God’s law in favor of their own. They rely on their understanding and consider themselves wise in their own eyes, instead of recognizing that true wisdom comes only when we set aside our own understanding and embrace God's wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-7).
As we begin our reading of Proverbs, we are immediately confronted with a choice. Are we going to listen to the folly of the world that pursues their own morality, or are we going to seek the wisdom of God that comes through the moral law of God? The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble (4:19). But the way of wisdom leads to health and the springs of life (4:21-23). Which way are we going to choose?
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January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
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May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
June
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July
the Lessons of the GenealogiesThe Restoration of HopeGod's Wisdom in Turbulent TimesSeeking God's Plans, Not OursDiscovering Meaning, Significance, and Fulfillment in LifeContemplating LifeA Temple Worthy of GodThe God Who SpeaksThe Tale of Two NationsSelf-Dependent or God DependentListening to the Proper Counsel
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