90 Days in Proverbs - Day 2 – THE BIG WHY
Day 2 – THE BIG WHY
Proverbs 1:1-6 [CSB] 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings; 3 for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; 4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man -- 5 let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance -- 6 for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.
Breaking from the ways of my parents, and of many from their generation, I told my children that they could ask me “why?” when I gave them instructions, rules or punishments, as long as they did it respectfully and listened to my responses. My hope was that a further explanation when they didn’t understand would allow them to grow in wisdom. Frankly, I also hoped it would help prevent them from rebelling against my reasonable edits. (At least, I thought I was reasonable.) I also understood that my explanations to my children would help me to ensure I was being fair and reasonable.
It didn’t always work so well or provide the desired effect. However, I believe it was still worth the effort to for me to give my children better understanding and for them the opportunity to gain better understanding.
God doesn’t always give us the “why” of His answers to our prayers. He doesn’t always tell us why we go through a particular trial. In 2 Corinthians 5:7, He tells us we walk by faith, not by sight. However, He inspired the writers of the book of Proverbs to tell us why the book was written. He lets us know that these wise words are here to change our lives.
Verse 6 indicates that what we learn here, will help us unravel the next scripture or book. It will help us build up our knowledge. Proverbs bids us not only to listen and increase learning, but also to obtain guidance. In other words, that learning isn’t just so we know stuff – it should guide our daily lives so that we live lives of righteousness, justice and integrity.
God also gives us the answer to what I call “the big why?” – Why are we here? Or why did God create us. We find the answer at the very beginning: Genesis 1:26-27 [NKJV] 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His [own] image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Our lives are a journey on the path to being made over into the image of God. Genesis 1 indicates that we look similar to Him physically now. However, His work did not end with the physical image. God continues to work with us through His word and His spirit so that our hearts and minds are crafted more in His image. It is a process we participate in by spending time in the Bible and by praying to Him.
Wherever today’s steps lead you, sweet sisters, I pray God will guide your path. I hope that in our time together in the book of Proverbs will assist you in your journey and transformation.
Prayer — Father of all wisdom and knowledge, I come to you to learn. Teach me through the words of this book to be wise and discerning. Write the wisdom of this book in my heart and mind so that its wisdom becomes a part of me. Fill me with integrity in all my endeavors and guide me on my journey of life as I make my way toward being more in Your image each day. In Jesus name. Amen.
Your thoughts —
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You can write me at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org. Have a Blessed Day!