Day 155 – Proverbs 4-6

Talking Points

• We see God’s plan for passing Godly wisdom on from generation to generation. Parents are to give their children a foundation of truth. More than that, they are to incite them to thirst for more truth. It is exciting to think of each succeeding generation moving forward carrying the wisdom of the previous generations. How terribly sad for great insights about walking with God to be lost with a generation.
• To truly benefit from possessing Godly wisdom, we must be focused on it, reminded of it, and practicing it with consistency. It is a journey — a long, deliberate walk.
• Again, there is a warning to avoid those who would lead you into sin. They actually plot and plan to take you astray.
• There is a serious warning against the lure and destruction of sexual immorality. While this is a subject we tend to lightly move past, God’s Word makes clear the need to address it in truth.
• One of the greatest reasons to flee from sin: God sees it. Yet, that tends to be the least of our deterrents.
• Godly wisdom includes knowing how to handle finances. Here, we have a warning against debt and the encouragement to get out of it quickly.

Thoughts

Hard work is hard.

Hard work is also commanded, encouraged, effective, honorable, productive, uplifting, honest, valuable, accessible, worthwhile, sacrificial, and blessed by God.

Throughout Scripture, God plainly tells us the consequences of laziness and the blessings of hard work. Throughout creation, God gives us awe-inspiring models. From the ant gathering food to the dove building its nest to the hummingbird collecting nectar, if we’ll slow down long enough and pay attention (which is what He tells us to do), God will teach us beautiful, impressive truths about Him and about His will.

Lord, help us to heed Your instruction and consider Your examples. Teach us to be grateful for the ability to work hard, and to consistently put the wisdom You freely give us into practice.