Title: Two Ways to Learn/ Topic: Gaining Wisdom

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; Proverbs 3; Romans 7

Scripture: Proverbs 1:29-33
29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Observation: The verses here in Proverbs clearly show two paths we can follow; two ways of gaining wisdom. One is to listen to and obey what is taught to us in the Word of God. For those who choose this way, they will “live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm”. The other means of gaining wisdom comes by way of not listening to or obeying the Word of God. For those who choose this path, their wisdom will come from having to live with the consequences of their choices. They will “eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes”, and in the process may well destroy themselves. The verses prior to the ones listed here make it plain that if I choose not to listen to God's wisdom, he will eventually stop speaking to me and let me go my own way and suffer the consequences of my arrogance and rebellion.

Application: I get to choose how I will learn. I can choose the easy way or the hard way. If I choose to listen to God and obey, it isn't always easy in the beginning. I have to submit my will and my desires to his. While this may be harder at first, it is much easier than having to reap the disasters that will come to me if I insist on following my own path.

Prayer: Father, I choose the easier way! I want to submit to you, the Lover of my soul, rather than to “eat the fruit” of my own ways and schemes. Nudge me by the Spirit whenever I am stepping out from the protection of your wisdom. And prosper my life so that others may see the benefits of following you and want to come to you also.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.