August 13, 2011

Proverbs 8:22-36 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-21, Nehemiah 4

Journal Entry

Scripture

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, (v. 35)
But he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death. (v. 36)

Observation

Wisdom, as personified in Prov. 8, is referring to Jesus Christ, our Lord. He was there before the beginning of the earth (v. 23); he was there when God established heavens (v. 27) and the earth (v. 28-29); he was God’s delight, rejoicing with God in His creation (v. 31). According to v. 35 and 36, there is life with Jesus but without him there’s only death. God’s salvation through Christ is central theme of the Bible (OT & NT) and here is yet another confirmation of this truth. Wisdom, then, is not just a wise teaching or something that we glean from our experiences. True wisdom is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Application

Over the years, I tried to become wiser by reading books and studying characters of those who we consider to be wise. I also tried to learn from my mistakes and not repeat the same mistakes, though often not very successfully. I am now older and a bit wiser, but I feel that I still have a long ways to go. Today’s message taught me that I was going about a wrong way to find wisdom. The way to true wisdom is through Jesus and my focus must be on him who gives life. As Jesus becomes more and more and I less and less, wisdom will surely find me.

Prayer

O Lord, you are the source of life and without you there is only death. Please help me to fix my eyes upon you and never stray from you. I desire to remain in you and you in me; please burn away anything that hinders me from achieving this. In Jesus’ name, amen.

--tchang