Wisdom’s Body Parts
On Proverbs 4:23-27
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is passed from one generation to the next. I imagine the father in chapter 4 reading from his scroll like he’s handing off a baton to his son for the next leg of the race. These were more than phrases to pause and memorize and more than sage-like sayings to stop and admire; these were words to live.
Wisdom itself lived in a physical body when “Christ Jesus…became to us wisdom from God…” Jesus epitomizes Proverbs. His life is passed on to us as more than truth to study; His life means transformation in mine (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-31). So if Jesus is wisdom, and Jesus powerfully lives in me, how can His wisdom affect each part of my body?
Wisdom in My Heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (4:23)
Isaiah uses this word for guard when he explains that God watches over His people like a skilled gardener. Day and night, He tends to them and waters them so nothing destroys them. He’s alert to their condition, threats, and needs, and He does what’s necessary to protect them so that they thrive (Isaiah 27:3).
Through Jesus, I tend to the garden of my heart so that life flourishes from it.
Wisdom in My Mouth
“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from you.” (4:24)
The same Spirit of wisdom inspired Paul to write centuries later to God’s people, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather, thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)
Through Jesus, I throw out leftover perversion and excuse myself from the table of thankless conversation.
Wisdom in My Eyes
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” (4:25)
Mankind’s downfall came through the eyes, and humanity was marred for the rest of time: “[Eve] saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye…” (Genesis 3:6)
Through Jesus, I focus on His ways to avoid the disaster of going my own way.
Wisdom in My Feet
“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet, and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (4:26,27)
“...your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths.” (Proverbs 5:21) We evaluate our steps together with the Lord, not all on our own, and it’s both a comfort and an accountability to know His eyes are on our feet.
Through Jesus, I rake out obstacles that could deter me or trip me so that my next step is stable.
Because of Jesus’ wisdom in us, “let not the wise man boast in his wisdom…but, let him who boasts, boast in… the Lord.” (see Jeremiah 9:23,24)
Good morning!
There have been plenty of Saturdays or summer days when our boys have slept in, and we’ve already left the house by the time they get up. On those occasions, instead of texting, I’ll typically leave a scrap paper note on the kitchen counter with a cheery “Good morning, guys!”, an explanation about the day, and a (small) list of chores for them. I’ll finish it off with a 🙂 and a few scribbled xoxox’s.
Very inspiring, I’m sure.
But what if I was the one to discover notes on my kitchen counter with details from God about the next 24 hours ahead of me? What if the Apostle Paul left a sticky note about the good I could do in the world? That would be pretty inspiring, and I’d probably wake up in expectation about what each message would be for that day. Like a piece of scrap paper left on your counter, may these short messages inspire your work this week:
MONDAY:
Good morning, child of God! As you roll out of bed, God’s favor rests on you. No task you accomplish or job you perform can earn His love for you today. He already extended His grace for your eternity in Christ, and now He reaches out and invites you to join Him in His good agenda planned out ahead of time.
Check out Ephesians 2:8-10
TUESDAY:
This world needs so much, so, as you wake up to the day with Jesus, let Him guide you in His ways and in His work, which are more significant than a to-do list with good deeds to check off. May He deepen your understanding as you follow Him and grow the good you do with Him so that it blossoms into fruitfulness that makes Him smile.
Colossians 1:9-10
WEDNESDAY:
Strengths, abilities, and gifts, planted graciously in your life by God’s hand, are meant to be sown generously from your life for others’ benefit. You’ll never run out of His grace, and it only multiplies as you pour it out. May His abundant grace in you do abundant good through you so that joy and praise spring up like fields at harvest.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
THURSDAY: God prompts good desires inside of you, and although you might be uncertain about where those could lead, your step forward by faith today is the work He empowers. May He fulfill those desires and infuse your faith for His glory.
2 Thessalonians 1:11,12
FRIDAY: Sometimes doing good all week is tiring. When it wears your heart out, may you remember whose blood is pumping through you. Jesus gave Himself up to the point of death and then raised to life to become your endless stream of comfort and hope as you do good works in sync with His heartbeat.
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17
SATURDAY: When you’ve tried to do good all on your own, you sit like a dirty cereal bowl, useless in the sink. Christ washes you and sets you upright so you’re prepared at any moment to do good works in His house, fulfilling His intended purpose for you.
2 Timothy 2:21
SUNDAY: Yes, your education, background, and life experiences contribute to the good you’re able to do today, but even the best of these combined will leave you lacking. It’s scripture that molds you into the type of person who has what’s really essential, so open the Word this morning, and you’ll be equipped for the good work that’s just waiting for you to show up today.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
🙂
Gaps between the Maps
Every time I sit down at our dining table, my eyes look up at three framed maps of the places we lived prior to moving to Indiana.
They hang on the wall, representing deep friendships and good times and also detours. Each city had its construction zone, where the way forward wasn’t so clear, and roadblocks took us the long way around.
Even more confusing, though, is the two-inch wall space between each picture frame, reminding me of the transition period that somehow bridged one location to the next. Transitions in life feel like they’re off the grid, too blurry to be captured in an actual piece of art. They don’t have names because they’re in between.
The Israelites’ connection between Egypt and the Promised Land was forty gap years in a desert. When they finally crossed that bridge, Moses gave them this reminder in Deuteronomy 8:2, “Remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years…”
Years that could be described as wandering in the wilderness were still a season under God’s leadership, and recalling how He led them could equip their faith for their next destination. The verse goes on, pointing out two specific aspects of God’s leadership during that season of transition:
Teaching them humility
Testing their obedience
Humility and obedience don’t initially seem like indicators of God’s leadership, but they highlight how He brings transitions across our path for the purpose of leading our hearts. For those times when our feet have entered uncharted territory, we can ask how has He led my heart into humility and obedience? Evidence of His leadership in these areas is meant to strengthen our faith.
Faith is strengthened, not by envisioning an imaginary future, but by looking back on the past, recognizing that we have a God who led us the whole way, even across the gaps between the maps.
Artwork for heart-work
From where I stand at my kitchen island, packing our boys’ lunches this morning, I look across the room at two pieces of botanical artwork, framed and hanging together on the wall. They’re just vintage reproductions, so they hold no monetary value, but they’re significant for other reasons. They symbolize reassurance, whether I’m doubting God’s plan, God’s timing, or His purpose for me.
The first image is an almond branch, and I love the story it stirs up in my heart. God chose Jeremiah to bring His message to Israel, but it was an intimidating calling for Jeremiah to consider. He looked inward and didn’t feel capable - an honest evaluation of himself! But God graciously reassures Jeremiah that it will be through God’s Word in his mouth and God’s presence with him that enable Jeremiah to do what God created him to do.
Then, Jeremiah has a vision of an almond branch, a play on words in Hebrew that sounds like the verb watching. God explains His illustration: “…for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12
And every time Jeremiah passed an almond tree on his way to speak to the crowds, he could remember the One who was watching. God hadn’t forgotten what He’d said. No matter how long it took, or how it was received, His Word would be fulfilled. It wouldn’t come about because of Jeremiah’s vigilance or ability but because of God’s watchful gaze over His Word. His promises are sure because He’s never let them out of His sight.
The other frame displays a pear, the fruit I always pick out when it’s too hard; then I either wait too long or bite into it too early. Ugh! Such a waste! There’s nothing quite like perfectly ripened fruit that’s had the time it’s needed to develop behind the scenes, attached to the life-giving vine. This growth cycle isn’t familiar to most of us, living modern lifestyles disconnected from the rhythms of vineyards, orchards, and farmland, but we know fruit is best when it’s actually in season.
The psalmist describes what can happen when our lives are like fruit trees with roots buried deep in the soil of God’s Word: “The one whose delight is in the law of the Lord is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not wither.” Psalm1:3
Life’s seasons can’t be fast-tracked. But there is a guarantee of fruit, a promise of harvest in the right season, if we soak in the source of life, God’s Word. When we do, our growth behind the scenes will yield fruit.
God is watching. No time with Him is wasted.
“I’m (truly) sorry”
Repentance in the early church
We look to the church, beginning in Acts 2, to see how early followers of Jesus understood repentance, and as we do, we can more clearly recognize it today.
Repentance Indicating Salvation
Acts 19:18-20: “Also many of those who were now believers came confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”
Repentance willingly admits and exposes sin, turning from what was once considered god, to God alone through Christ. Repentance causes an outward shift in what we prioritize, worship, serve, or arrange our lives around, even at great cost. Lives that are transformed like this have the power to amplify the Gospel’s message.
Acts 20:21: “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
Acts 26:20: “...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”
1 Thessalonians 1:9: “...you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”
Repentance results in Jesus taking center stage in faith and life, rather than what had previously been central (self, finances, fame, religion, sex, comfort, etc). Outward behavior does not merit salvation, but genuine repentance will be noticeable in outward actions.
Lack of Repentance
Hebrews 12:16-17: “...see that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”
Emotions and tears do not always indicate a change of heart; sometimes grief results from being caught in sin or facing consequences for sin instead of from sorrow over the sin itself.
Revelation 9:20,21: “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
Revelation 16:9,11: “...and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him…and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.”
Blaming God for sin’s painful consequences, yet continuing to live in sin, indicates an unrepentant heart.
Praying for Repentance
How do we even find the words to pray for an unrepentant heart? Paul, Peter, and John wrote to the early church, describing various pathways that lead to repentance, and the Spirit’s words through these authors offer us a roadmap for our prayers:
Romans 2:4: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
*Pray that God’s kindness will lead to repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:9: “...yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.”
*Pray that sorrow over sin will lead to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
*Pray that God’s delayed judgment will lead to repentance.
Revelation 2:5a: “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
*Pray that remembering past history with the Lord will lead to repentance.
Revelation 3:19: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
*Pray that God’s loving discipline will lead to repentance.
It’s likely that God led you down one of these pathways toward your own repentance, and maybe that’s the very one He’ll use in someone else’s life as you pray for it.