Day 46 - 90 Days in Proverbs - Before

Proverbs 8:22-31 [NIV] 22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. 24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

In this passage, we see wisdom as God’s companion during the creation of the world as we know it. In everything from dirt to clouds, to water and mountains, wisdom was part of God’s creation work.

It struck me that in these verses, is this section in the middle: 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. God’s wisdom was there before He got started.

Wisdom must also be my companion before I start any project or program. Before I volunteer for a ministry or establish a new women’s study group. Before I decide to quit a project or ramp it up. Wisdom is needed not just during, but also before I start – even in the planning stages.

I confess that, while I do ask for wisdom when I am teaching or serving, I sometimes get super excited about a project and, if I am not careful, will get started before wisdom says her piece. Even the best of ideas and service projects, even the most honorable programs should be put on hold until after I apply wisdom to it.

Wisdom would have me ask: Is this what I want right now or what God wants from me? Is this the place to start this program? Am I the right one to do this or is it an idea I should pass along to someone else? Do I have the time for this right now or should I put it off until other projects are completed? Are there others whose counsel or help I should solicit before beginning? What is the right way to begin this program or project?

You can probably think of other valid questions to run past wisdom for “her” input. Like the example set by our Creator, I want wisdom to me with me before I start a project and all the way through it. Things will turn out much better, I am sure, if wisdom is my co-planner from the very beginning.

Prayer — Father God, Just as You had wisdom as Your constant companion during creation and even before You began, I ask that You bless me with wisdom as my constant companion before and during any and all projects and programs in my life. I seek to serve You with wisdom, seeking her input even before I begin. Lord, help me so to do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

_____________________________________________________________________________________