"Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom." Proverbs 17:24b
Our key verse begged to be researched. The NASB translation paints a picture of the verse in action. The NASB, remember is one of the versions of the Bible most closely translated to the original Hebrew. The word sensible is translated as wisdom.
"Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding."
Can you sense this verse in action? Wisdom is in the presense, it is with, it surrounds, or abides with the one who has understanding. The "one" has in it when it is needed. Having the presence of wisdom always with you hinges on whether or not you have understanding. Therefore it is important to know the meaning of understanding. The word means characterized by understanding; prompted by, based on, or demonstrating comprehension, intelligence, discernment, empathy. Digger deeper shows wisdom to mean the knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.
How do we obtain understanding; discernment, comprehension and empathy? I believe the answer to this question is found in verse 27. Solomon says a truly wise person, one who has knowledge coupled with judgement of when to use it, is a person uses only a few words. This suggests a truly wise person listens more than he/she speaks and gives a slow, well thought out response. Putting all our knew found knowledge together we can identify the sensible person in our key verse.
My desire has been to abide in the presence of the Lord, after unpacking today's key verse I have somewhat adjusted my desire to include understanding. Never has abiding in the Presence and presence promised to be so rewarding.
How do we obtain understanding; discernment, comprehension and empathy? I believe the answer to this question is found in verse 27. Solomon says a truly wise person, one who has knowledge coupled with judgement of when to use it, is a person uses only a few words. This suggests a truly wise person listens more than he/she speaks and gives a slow, well thought out response. Putting all our knew found knowledge together we can identify the sensible person in our key verse.
My desire has been to abide in the presence of the Lord, after unpacking today's key verse I have somewhat adjusted my desire to include understanding. Never has abiding in the Presence and presence promised to be so rewarding.
10 Comments:
Wendy, thanks for linking to the passage in John. I love the word "abide", and remaining in His presence brings not only sweet reward but such intimacy.
The verse that caught my attention today was, "The tongue can bring death or life..." Proverbs 18:21
I've never fogotten this story. After discovering her body and trying to come to grasp with the 'why's', a suicide note was found. Two words. "They said..."
The power of life and death truly is in the tongue.
We all wield this weapon of mass destruction, yet at the same time this tool has great potential for good. On it's own it is neutral. It's the coupling with our heart that fuels it for good or evil.
Words alone are weightless, yet they can crush or empower. Build up or tear down. Encourage or devour.
"For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Jesus Christ
What words are echoing in the minds of others because of my speech?
Praying to be a blessing today,
Joy
Happy June 1st Dear Girlfriends!
[I'm still wondering what happened to the month of MAY!]
Wow, these Proverbs give us so much to think about! Wendy, THANKS! Your verse today, whispered:
"Wisdom is in the presence of the 'One' who has understanding."
Help me cling to you, Lord, I need wisdom! Fill me with your Spirit and teach me your ways. Thank you for even counseling me when I sleep. Open my mind so that I can understand your scriptures.
I want to be in your presence, dear Lord.
I underlined many Proverbs that stuck out to me; but, I'm focusing on, Proverbs 17:22, "A Cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." So many of us are undertaking harsh circumstances that are draining our bodies and minds of strength. We can be left weak and overwhelmed with pain. A cheerful heart may seem out of reach. [And, I do agree with you, Nancy, that it is necessary to cry, and even get angry, as these are part of the cycles, of grieving a situation, that one must go through...]
As we go through our daily catastrophe's (don't they seem like major disaster's at the time!!!) we must and can...decide that trusting in God will get us back to a cheerful outlook; then we will have taken the first step of joy! Oh, dear sisters, let us allow this Proverb to warn us that we must not get bogged down for too long. Let the clouds part and the sunshine attitude come through! Thank you, Jesus, for being right there in our midst, standing ready to help us rise above the pain! My desire is that my cheerful heart is contagious to the people around me. I'm now going out for a walk in the sunshine! :)
Each one of you...THANK YOU tons and tons! I love you all!!!!
Lori - AZ
PS Something I want to share...
I had been praying for someone else earlier in the day--- and I woke up with the prayer on my mind...only God told me also something that affected my own particular situation! Something that I needed to be working on. He's just amazing that way, ya know! I don't get the bonus too often, but there is nothing like waking up in the middle of the night and hearing "Words from God." To know that He is with me when I sleep! To know that He is counseling me even when I sleep! I need all the help I can get, dear friends! :)
Thank you Wendy,
I really like the NASB version of the verse. The second half of verse 27 also gives us insight; "a person with understanding is even tempered." So not only do they use few words, listening and considering more than talking, but they are also slow to anger (and probably abounding in steadfast love like our God).
Joy brings up words and their power. My memory verse for this two week period is Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, "It is written; 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" God's words are life giving, sustaining, sufficient, renewing. Oh that our words can be this too!
Proverbs 18:4 "Wise words are like deep water: wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook."
Be blessed this week everyone!
Karen, CA
Does wisdom come from the Holy Spirit? Can a person be truly wise if they aren't a believer in Jesus Christ?
My question for the day.
Morgen
Wow, what wise counsel we are receiving from these Proverbs scriptures!!!
Wendy, just to add to your thoughts on Proverbs 17:24 - If true wisdom is a gift from God to those who ask it, then in seeking it we must first seek God and remain focused on Him, lest we be like fools who's eyes wonder to the ends of the earth chasing fantasies!
'Let thine will be done Lord, and mine done away with'.
Be blessed all!
Chanan, Bahamas.
Morgen,
Your answer can be found in Job 28:12-28.
Hi Ladies,
I feel like we are all seeking true wisdom from God...yet we are all in different walks or paths. In our various journies, different scriptures seem to leap out...I wonder how different it will be when I am reading these scriptures next year.
Today Proverbs 18:2 stood out..."Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions."
I have been reading a book on how to identify "Safe People". The scriptures are pretty evident in helping us identify the godly and ungodly...by their behavior. Some days I feel like I am in a land of giants...Goliath's as such. There are times I feel like a soldier in Saul's Army (fearful of the giants) and other days I feel like David. That's where Prov 18:10 comes in..."The name of the LORD is a strong fortress, the godly run to him and are safe." Yeah!!!
nancy
Hi Wendy,
Proverbs, the book of Wisdom, is a book I have spent months studying...God’s timeless Truths... treasures to show us how to live wisely in our culture today. It stands the test of time.
Isaiah 40:8 says, "The Word of our God stands forever." Psalm 119:89 says, "Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 119:152, 160 says, "All Your Words are true; you established them to last forever; all Your righteous laws are eternal."
In God’s Word, especially Proverbs, we have timeless answers to the problems of this world. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the same yesterday, today, and forever. What an incredible privilege to have the MIND OF CHRIST, the WISDOM OF THE AGES, THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, available to us whenever and wherever we need it.
Thank you, Wendy for pointing us to THE Truth and teaching us how to obtain it.
Love you, friend,
Wendy
I'm so loving Proberbs! I'm hearing so much and learning so much from the Lord! He is truly a loving and an amazing God!
Oops! I meant Proverbs! Guess I need more wisdom!
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