BIBLE CHALLENGE

How is your new year going so far?  Are you feeling tired, uncomfortable after eating too much and exercising too little?  Are your Christmas decorations drooping and your spirits, as well?

To perk up my jam and get out of any post-holiday doldrums, I am challenging myself to a Bible reading goal for January.  Since the book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and January has 31 days, I'm reading one chapter of Proverbs a day this month!

So far, I'm on track.  A couple of verses have really stuck out to me in the first four chapters that I'll share with you.

"These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.  Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.  Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just and fair." (Proverbs 1:1-3) New Living Translation

This version of the Scriptures gave a clear and succinct purpose for Solomon's writings.  He acknowledged later in the book that his own father and mother were personally involved in his own learning and training; he encouraged his own son to follow these teachings because they were so valuable.  It is good to consider the wisdom and instruction of our parents, not just for spiritual insights but for everyday, practical advice for life.

In chapter 2, Solomon makes another clear statement: "For the Lord grants wisdom!" (verse 6a)  True wisdom is from above, not from human origin.  Back in the first chapter, the basis for godly wisdom is also stated: "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge..." (verse 7a)  To truly understand and apply God's wisdom requires that we fear Him, honour Him and have a relationship with Him.  

By chapter 3, we can learn the many benefits of living by God's wisdom.  Protection, success, long life, safety, peace, blessing...just to name a few. And in the fourth chapter, Solomon repeats the principle that wisdom can come through parents' instruction and we all are challenged to follow and obey.  There is no special honour given to people who are independent, self-taught or lone rangers.  Credit is given to those who pay attention to a father's teaching and a mother's training.  Living a life that honours our parents, elders and the Lord is highly praised!

If you haven't got back into a rhythm of daily devotions, start today.  Proverbs is a great place to start - one chapter a day for January.  But other suggestions are the Gospel of John (21 chapters) or Joshua (24 chapters) that you could easily read in one month from now.  

"Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding." (Proverbs 3:13)