CHAPTER 1

The Beginning of Wisdom

Monday

Proverbs 1:7 says, The fear [utmost reverence] of the Lord isthe beginning of Wisdom: but fools tend to despise Wisdomand instruction.

Sue Carnahan says, "Wisdom is like a roof; it encompassestruth, spiritual faith, compassion, understanding life and death,the secrets of the universe, and the nature of happiness."

Reflection: The utmost reverence of God, I believe, isthe essence of all true human wisdom. I can certainlyconfirm that it is indeed the starting point to a peaceful,joyful, and healthy life. Today is a new day; why notconsider asking God for wisdom? James 1:5-7 says that ifanyone lacks wisdom, then he or she should ask God forit. Without finding fault, God gives wisdom generouslyto all who ask. Therefore, ask in faith, and do not waver[doubt]. Find a quiet place and ask in faith; it only takesa moment. How important is wisdom to you? Is it worthyour asking God for wisdom today?

Finding Wisdom

Tuesday

Proverbs 2:6-8 says, "The Lord gives Wisdom, and out of Hismouth comes knowledge and understanding. God stores upvictory for the upright, and is a shield to those whose walkis innocent." He is the protector and defender of His faithfulones."

Reflection: You will not find wisdom if you just sit therecontemplating whether or not you need it. Choose todo something about it—take action. Don't mind thatit sounds like hard work. It isn't! Simply ask God for itany time you need it. That is, apply a little thought andconsideration, and then pray; it is an achievable task.Do you believe that if you ask in faith you will receive?If you do, then ask now. If you do not, then ask yourselfwhy. Lack of faith stems from a belief of some sort. Howdid your absence of faith develop? Is your supplantingbelief real or superficial? What makes this belief real toyou? You have nothing to lose by asking for wisdom ifyou ask in faith. God's Word is flawless—tried, tested,and proven.

Accept the Words of Wisdom

Wednesday

In Proverbs 2:1-13, a father encourages his son to accept hiswords of wisdom and store up his commands within, to yieldhis ear to wisdom and apply his heart to understanding. Thiscan't be bad advice. He says, "If you call out for insight andcry aloud for understanding, if you look for it as for silver andsearch for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understandthe fear of the Lord." Understanding the fear of the Lord is wise.By receiving wisdom, you will understand what is right and justand fair—every good path. When wisdom enters into yourheart, knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. A happy soulis a happy you! Discretion will protect you, and understandingwill guard you. Wisdom will save you from the wicked, dark,and perverse ways of the world.

Reflection: What does wisdom mean to you—lightnessor darkness?

The Value of Wisdom

Thursday

The person who finds Wisdom and understands is happy. Forits value is better than the value of silver, and better than thegain of fine gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies: andnothing that humankind can desire can compare to or withHer. In Wisdom's right hand are the lengths of days: and inHer left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasantways, and all Her paths are peace. She is a tree of life toall peoples who obtain Her: and all those who retain Herare full of happiness. The Lord by Wisdom has founded theearth; by understanding He has established the heavens. ByHis knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds letdown the dew. (Proverbs 3:13-20)

Reflection: What areas in your life would change if youfound wisdom? What things are you willing to changeabout yourself? What would you like to have an impacton? Are you yearning for wisdom now? Could you dowith "a little bit" of wisdom in order to handle—or atleast begin to deal with—a difficult situation today? Restassured, wisdom is a gift from God. It will change yourperson (soul) gradually and consistently if you let it. You'llbe transformed. A bad situation will change to a goodone, and then you'll end up feeling better, as wisdomenables you to search deep within your heart and soul.Your situation cannot change unless you change. Startnow by changing your belief and letting wisdom be yourguide.

Getting Wisdom

Friday

Proverbs 4:5-7, says, Obtain Wisdom and get understanding.Do not despise Her or turn your back on Her, and She willprotect you; love Her and She will watch over you. Wisdom isgreat. If you esteem Her, She will exalt you; embrace Her andShe will honour you.

Proverbs 4:12 says, "Obtain Wisdom. When you walk, yourwalk will not be held back, and when you run, you will not loseyour footing."

Proverbs 4:26a is concerned with obtaining Wisdom, andmaking even paths for your feet.

Reflection: Are you ready to get wisdom? Pray now. Inyour own way, ask God for it. Even if you have never prayedbefore, or if do not know how to pray, just open yourmouth and utter the first words from your heart. Don'tworry about how it sounds. He'll understand your prayer.Remember, it is written, "If any person lacks Wisdom, askGod, who gives generously to all without finding fault"(James 1:5). Also, see the prayer on page xxi.

Trust

Saturday

Trust in [believe in the ability of; believe in the truth andstrength of; believe in the reliability of] the Lord with all yourheart and lean not on [rest against; put pressure on] yourown understanding; in all your ways acknowledge [accept andadmit the existence and truth of] Him, and He will make yourpaths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Reflection: There is much peace and joy to be found in"letting go" of a situation once having done all you knowto do. Be at rest and be assured that He who createdyou knows exactly how to take care of you and yourneeds. Trust that He who began a good work in you willbe faithful to complete it. It is through wisdom that youcome to an awareness of knowing when to quit, knowingwhen enough is enough.

For me, trusting simply means doing what wisdominstructs me to do. For instance, the Word says to avoidstrife, to safeguard my heart, for it is the wellspring oflife. Therefore, I must simply obey, trusting that I willbe rewarded and blessed for being obedient. Make acontinuous effort to trust until you get it right and itbecomes second nature.

Trust and faith: What do these terms mean to you? Havingfaith can be likened to infancy and the way an infanttrusts a parent. An infant does not make a big deal outof trusting a parent. He or she just trusts innocently.

Alpha and Omega

Sunday

There is no Wisdom, understanding, nor counsel [advice,recommendation, suggestion, plan] that can succeed againstthe Lord (Proverbs 21:30).

Reflection: God made all things, great and small. He isawesome; it is impossible for the human mind to fathomhow great He truly is. However, by studying the book ofProverbs, we can gain knowledge and understanding ofHis will and act with wisdom.

Omnipotent, Omnipresent,Omniscient

Monday

Commit [entrust, hand over, present to] the Lord whatever youdo, and you will be successful. The Lord works out everythingfor His own end ... In a person's heart plans are made, but theLord determines one's steps (Proverbs 16:3-4 and 16:9).

Reflection: The heavens and the earth, and all that theycontain, are God's. This, among other things, tells me thefollowing:

• It is wise for me to involve Him in the decisions Imake concerning my life by praying.

• I must check my motive for doing whatever it isI'm doing and then make sure that it is in line withthe principles of love—God's way.

Let Wisdom Accompany You

Tuesday

Do you just keep going round and around in circles, nevergetting anywhere? Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts inhimself is a fool, but he who walks wisely shall be delivered."

Reflection: Round and round and around you go. Howfar can you go on your own? Take wisdom along with youand you'll be safe rather than sorry. With wisdom, you'llget to where you're going intact and safe rather than"dead" on time. Walking in wisdom is about committingwhat you do or are about to do to God, and then trustingHim to lead you in the right way. You either trust Godor trust in yourself. If you do the latter, then don't besurprised if it takes you a very long time to reach yourdestination or if you never reach it. And even if you doreach your destination, don't be surprised that you feelcompletely worn out and regret being where you are.

The Law of Retribution

Wednesday

The law of retribution asserts, What goes around comesaround; what you do to others will be done to you." Likewise,Proverbs 11:25 says, The person who revitalizes others willalso be revitalized. Consider, for example, what calamity youwould bring upon yourself by not serving (helping, making apositive contribution to) the world with your talents, gifts, andblessings.

Reflection: Be environmentally friendly and use whatevergift or talent you have to sow a seed of love in somebody'slife today. The world would be a better—surely, not aworse—place because of it. Think about it!

Laziness versus Poverty

Thursday

How long will you sleep, O sluggard [lazy person]? Will you notwake up from your sleep? A little siesta, a little slumber, and alittle folding of the hands to nap. What next? Poverty will comeupon you like a bandit [thief], and scarcity [lack, insufficiency]like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:9-10).

Reflection: There is a major difference between patienceand laziness. Patience is associated with wisdom, andlaziness is associated with foolishness. You can, if youreally want to, quit being lazy; wake up to the glory ofGod.

To be lackadaisical (apathetic) is sinful because it isdetrimental, not just to you, but also to others. It isself-defeatism. It robs others of your love. You have atleast one talent (gift, blessing). Be encouraged today.Acknowledge what you have and use it in order to be ablessing to yourself and others.

Make Provision andReap the Harvest

Friday

Proverbs 6:6-8 says, "Look at the ant, you 'sleepyhead,' considerits ways and be wise. Without any guide, overseer or ruler,the ant provides its substance in the summer, and gathers itsprovisions in the harvest."

Reflection: Consider this: If the ant, as small and fragileas it is, can make the effort until it reaches the top of thehill, why can't you make the effort required to do whatyou must do? You must let wisdom prevail.

Lazy Hands versusDiligent Hands

Saturday

Proverbs 10:4 says, "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligenthands bring wealth."

Reflection: At times, we do not know what we have untilwe know what we do not have. For example, considerthe story above about the master, his three servants andtheir talents. On reflection it becomes apparent that thefirst servant must have finally realized that his one andonly talent was a blessing but only after that one talent,which he had not used wisely was taken away from him.Then he really knew that he had nothing.

Discipline

Sunday

He who pays attention to discipline [order, self-control] leadsthe way of life (Proverbs 10:17a).

Reflection: Be attentive (dutiful, considerate, understanding,caring, focused, reliable) and ultimately you'll be a blessingnot just to yourself but also to others; you'll show othersthe way to live—like the living, not the living dead.

Only Fools

Monday

Only fools are without discretion and lack discipline andknowledge. Wisdom makes her plea. Proverbs 9:6 says,"Leave your `simple' ways and you will live, walk in the way ofunderstanding."

Proverbs 1:26 warns, Unlike the fool, do not despise [loathe,scorn, look down on, hate, spurn, or deride] Wisdom. For if youdo, "Wisdom will laugh at your calamity; She will mock whenyour foolishness overcomes you."

Reflection: There is a strong connection betweenfoolishness and misery. They are both a result of turningdeaf ears to wisdom's call and not complying with whatwisdom says. If you listen to wisdom, then you willexperience peace and joy.

The Wise versus the Mocker

Tuesday

Owls are wise and watchful. Proverbs 9:12 says that if you are awise person, your wisdom will guide and reward you, but if youare a mocker, you will be the one to suffer the way mockers do.

Reflection: A person who has understanding delights inwisdom. Consider the ways of the wise owl—it watches,observes, and can see in the dark.

A Mocker Listen toWisdom? Never!

Wednesday

"Knowledge comes easily to those who are discerning; to theperson who has understanding" (Proverbs 14:6).

If a mocker is rebuked, he or she will scorn (disrespect, ridicule)the words of wisdom. A mocker does not listen to wisdom.Wisdom is not to be found on the lips of such a person.

Proverbs 9:8 warns, "Do not reprimand or rebuke a mocker orsuch a person will hate you."

Reflection: Don't waste your time by trying to convincethe mocker. Only a wise person listens to words ofwisdom.

Blessings for the Wise

Thursday

The blessing of the Lord enriches (increases, enhances, adds to,improves, builds up, develops, perfects). Proverbs 10:22b says,The Lord does not add sorrow [distress, unhappiness, regret,trouble] to blessings.

Reflection: A person who has wisdom experiences anenriched life. Today, like any other day, has been createdto be perfect, designed to bless you against all odds. Toreceive the blessing, respond to the still, small voice ofcalm within—the voice of wisdom that is telling you, "ToGod's blessings He adds no sorrow."

Obstructing Diligence

Friday

Procrastination [dawdling, time-wasting] shackles diligence,and is often brought about by fear of the unknown. The lazyperson does not make use of what he or she has learnt, gained,or earned, but the substance of a diligent person is precious[of value, appreciated] (Proverbs 12:27).

The soul of a sluggard has cravings but gets nothing, but thesoul of the diligent [meticulous, conscientious, hard-working,thorough, attentive] person is fully satisfied (Proverbs 13:4).

Reflection: Time is most precious and is all about thenow. Don't waste it! Don't let today go by without doingwhat wisdom has laid upon your heart for you to do.What have you been putting off? Do something aboutit today.

Obtaining Wealth

Saturday

By no means does the wealth obtained by treachery (dishonesty,cheating, insincerity) bring about everlasting peace and joy,although it may seem like it does for a while. Rather, as Proverbs13:11 puts it, ill-gotten gains shall be denigrated (ridiculed,mocked).

The person who obtains money in a sincere way shallincrease.

Reflection: Are you fed up with never having enough?Whatever the temptation, ensure that you obtain wealth inthe virtuous (morally good) way, that you may gain favour(be well regarded, respected, esteemed, supported). Asyou go about your chores today, be honest enough inyour dealings. There is a verse in the Holy Bible (Psalm127:1) that provides a metaphor for explaining how vain(ineffective and worthless) ones activities can be whenthey go about doing their business in a way that is notpleasing to God. Real wealth is not acquired by might orpower but by the will of God.

The metaphor used is this: Unless God builds a house allthose who labour in building it, do so in vain.

Virtuous Understandingversus Recklessness

Sunday

A person of wisdom wins favour, but the way of the reckless[irresponsible, uncontrolled, thoughtless] person is brutal[fierce, vicious, violent]" (Proverbs 13:15).

Reflection: The choice is yours: wisdom and joy, orrecklessness and misery. Live the way of wisdom todayand experience true joy and peace. Feel at peace within,even though things seem difficult. If you have actedwisely, no matter the outcome joy will be yours in theend. You'll see. Time will tell.

Watch What You Say!

Monday

"Tame your tongue; change the course of your life by changingwhat you say. If you guard your mouth, you guard your life.However, if you open your mouth wide and speak rashly,destruction will come upon you" (Proverbs 13:3).

Similarly, a person who guards his or her mouth keeps him—orherself from catastrophe [disaster, calamity, misfortune](Proverbs 21:23).

Reflection: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, what you say iswhat you are; ultimately, what you verbalize becomesyou.

Companionship andAgreement: With Whom?

Tuesday

You cannot find true wisdom, knowledge, and understandingin the minds and hearts of fools. Neither can you have anexcellent conversation with them. Thus, Proverbs 13:20 warns,"A companion of fools suffers harm and shall be destroyed[damaged]." But the person who walks with the wise growswise.

Reflection: Watch with whom you keep company, orelse you might desire and emulate the ways of theunrighteous! Can two people walk together if they donot agree?

Lips of the Wise

Wednesday

"The mouth or lips of the wise person disperse knowledge;however, this is not true of the foolish one" (Proverbs 15:7).

Reflection: Have you ever heard the tale of the wiseperson whose mouth uttered foolish words, or the foolwhose mouth uttered wise words? I'm not surprised youhaven't. Neither have I!

Be Patient

Thursday

Proverbs 14:29 says, "A fool finds no pleasure in understandinga situation, or anybody's point of view, but loves the soundof his or her voice, and takes pleasure in expressing his orher own opinion." Be patient and do not be hasty to speak. Aperson of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a personof understanding is imperturbable [even-tempered, in control,calm] (Proverbs 17:27