LEARNING DAILY

 

Proverb 8:32-36, Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, do not disdain it. Blessed be the man who listens to me, watching at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all who hate me love death.

 

I read these verses and I think of the words of Jesus, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” I have read that God’s will, His desire for those who follow Him is in His Word, the Bible. There we find His commandments and by reading/studying them He writes them on our heart; He uses them to change us from within and helps to face the circumstances we face each day. No matter what we face it is important to be obedient to Him. Solomon wrote that the person who is obedient, who follows God’s ways is blessed. I must add that being obedient is difficult because of the constant pull from the “old self” to follow the old desires and the constant pull of the world to follow its ways. Jesus said the narrow way would be difficult. Don’t use this as an excuse to be disobedient to the Lord’s commandments. Keep in mind that those who come to Jesus in faith has a “blessed life”; happiness is not found in your circumstances.

 

Solomon continues on about the blessing of wisdom when he writes, “Hear instruction and be wise, do not disdain it. Blessed be the man who listens to me, watching at the posts of my doors.” When we read/study God’s Word or hear a pastor who teaches the truth of God’s Word (I’m not writing about those who tickle our ears or are preaching deception.) that gives us instruction on how to live the lives that God wants us to live, we are blessed (prosperous and happy) when we are obedient. Instruction often involves doctrine, correction, and even warnings. There is again New Testament teaching about this that we must learn from. Consider the teaching on the Sower who sowed seed. Remember the seed fell on different types of soil. Jesus taught that the different types of soil were different types of hearts that the Word of God, the Gospel is planted in. The stony heart, for example, readily receives the Gospel with joy but never allows it to penetrate deep in it. Some seed that fell among the thorns or the sinful pleasures of the world, and choked out the Gospel; the worldly desires of wealth, position, and fame choked out the persons acceptance of the Gospel. It was only the soil or heart that was open and sincere that received the Gospel with joy whose life produced fruit of a spiritual nature for the kingdom of God. This is a daily and continual receiving from the Word of God!

 

Solomon closes this proverb with a contrast between those who receive the Word of God and those who refuse it is a contrast between two hearts. Those who find me – Jesus Christ as Savior – finds life – that is eternal life. That person finds acceptance and knowledge that The Lord is with them through all circumstances. But the heart who does not find Jesus Christ and does not follow His commands, who misses the mark are His enemies and will die without God. Jesus said, “there are two ways. There is a broad way that leads to destruction and there are many who go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and few are on it.”

 

Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior is the first step to eternal life. No one can get into His kingdom without doing so. But one who does must allow the Word of God to then become their guide on a narrow way, cleaning and purifying as they walk to eternal life in the kingdom of God. Blessed is the one who finds Jesus as their Savior, listens to Him because the one who does finds life and favor. That is wisdom.