Devotion – Friday, 12 February
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
The watchword for today is taken from the Book of Proverbs. This book of sayings is accredited, for the greater part, to Solomon, son of King David. His profound insights and wisdom reflect on being able to choose wisdom above folly by following the right path and shunning the wrong way. The teachings are framed in various chapters and chapter three opens by stating, “My Son, forget not my law or my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.” These laws of Solomon, the King, were rooted in his leaning and trust in the Lord. In the beginning of Solomon’s reign he was whole-heartedly immersed in serving the Lord and submitting all his plans and actions to the Lord, asking God for wisdom in ruling Israel. However, as Solomon became famous throughout the world, and his wisdom and riches were praised amongst the nations, Solomon forgot his own proverbs and wisdom and started to praise and worship foreign idols. Despite his turning away from God, God did not turn away from Solomon and allowed him to have a peaceful reign, great wisdom and wealth.
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, completely forsook God and led Israel into unfaithfulness to their Creator God. Solomon, who started out so promisingly, did not heed his own proverb: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil,” Proverbs 3 verse 7, (NRSVB). He became a law unto himself. He disregarded the traditional wisdom of the Israelites that he quoted in verse 6, “In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge God, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” This is an indirect quote from Psalm 37 verse 6, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass,” a psalm that his father, David, wrote to explain following the correct way and avoiding the wrong way. Having the best instructions and intentions one can still choose an incorrect path and land in countless trouble. It takes great courage for an important person to acknowledge that they have done wrong, that they have missed their goals, and that their plans have failed miserably. God forgives those who come in humility and repent, but those who force their wrongful decisions on those they govern bring great turmoil and pain to the people. Because leaders are in the public eye, people see what they do and how they conduct themselves. The decisions we take regarding whom we follow will shape our lives. It is our responsibility to test and see whether the decisions that are taken by those we follow are in line with the standards that God has given us in his Word.
A chess-player studies the situation one the chess-board carefully in order to know what would be the best move to make in the circumstances that are presented in the game board at that moment. There is no such thing as “one best move” that will be sufficient in all chess-playing situations. However, in discerning the matters of life and how to act in these matters, there is only one best move. It is the move or act that will honour God and the neighbour. This is the part of the puzzle that we need to prayerfully discover. Leaning on our own understanding will not reveal God’s wisdom regarding any situation, we have to ask God for wisdom and He will “give the petitions of your heart,” (Psalm 37 verse 4). God wants to reveal his wisdom and love and impart his knowledge to his children.
The apostle Paul writes to the Galatians in Chapter Six verse Four, “Each one should test their own actions,” (NIV). This is the challenge of living the Christian life, to test our own actions according to instruction of God, “Bear (endure and carry) one another’s burdens and in this way fulfil and observe the perfect law of Christ.”
Father, help us find wisdom and clarity through you as to walk in your ways, Amen.
