Proverbs 9:11
“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.”
Jesus promised, those who believe in Him would be the recipients of eternal life. He also promised we would have abundant life while we live.
John wrote in 1 John 1:5:12, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
We will never experience the abundant life God intends for us until we first receive Christ and begin to walk with Him. Scripture promises the love of God will flood our hearts, the peace of God will guard our minds, and the life of God will well up within us like a fountain, flowing out upon others around us. Once we receive Christ, we begin to experience the abundant grace of God flowing into our lives. Paul knew this kind of life, and it enabled him to celebrate the Lord, even in the most difficult situations.
There are, however, many Christians who are failing to experience abundant life. They seem to be constantly downtrodden and defeated. In some cases, it may be a result of failing to choose the path of wisdom. Solomon explains that true wisdom has, as its goal, a desire to live pleasing to the Lord. When we walk that road (when all decisions are filtered through a desire to do what is right in the eyes of God), we will find “our days are multiplied and years of life are added.” Things are simply better when we follow the Lord and do it His way. So often, our will fights against the will of God. When we resist Him, we fail to see that His desires are best for us. The height of life is always reached when we surrender all to Christ, and live in obedience to His Word.
Let’s commit together to begin each day by offering ourselves to the Lord, and looking at our circumstances in the light of Scripture. Begin each day this week by dedicating yourself to Him, praying for the things you are facing, and reading His Word. End each day by examining your actions in light of the Lord and His Word. Let’s see how far He can take us down the road of abundant life.
Pastor Jim
Question for Proverbs 9
Wisdom continues in this chapter to be personified as a gracious woman.
1. Read verses 1-6. Notice the tremendous hospitality to strangers. This paints a picture that God is welcoming to those without wisdom who are seeking it. Read James 1:5. When you lack wisdom do you go to God and His word and ask for wisdom?
2. Read verses 7-9. A contrast is being made between the scoffer and the wise man in these verses. How does the scoffer respond to correction? How does a wise man respond?
3. All scoffers are foolish, but not all fools are scoffers. When we are humble concerning our foolishness and seek the Lord, He responds graciously. When we cross the line and begin to scoff at the things of the Lord, then God leaves us to the consequences of our sin, and lets us learn the hard way. Read Romans 1:18-32 to see an example of this. Is there anyone in your life that you need to simply pray for and stop speaking about the things of God to? What about you? Do you receive correction?
4. Read verse 10. What two things are the foundation for wisdom? Read Col 2:1-3. The “fear of the Lord” simply means to care about what God thinks more than anything else (see Proverbs 14:27, 19:23, 22:4). The “fear of man” is caring mostly about what people think of you (see Proverbs 29:25). Keep your relationship with Jesus central, and stay in His word and you will become wise!
5. According to verse 12, who is the ultimate beneficiary of wisdom? Who is the one who must face the consequences of foolishness (ignoring God’s wisdom)? Although our wisdom (or lack of it) will certainly affect others, we are the ones who have the most to gain or lose in our own lives by our attitude concerning wisdom.
6. In verses 13-18, we see that the foolish woman is also hospitable to strangers, just like Wisdom in the beginning of the chapter. However, what are the net results of responding to her? Read Proverbs 16:25, and 1 Corinthians 3:18-20.
Old Testament:
Joel 1- Unattended Children
Joel 2- Turn To Me. Joel 3- Looking Ahead
Jim Gallagher 