April Fools!
Happy April Fool’s Day!
Did you pull any pranks?
Did anyone fool you?
Do you ever find yourself feeling like a “fool“?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. -Proverbs 1:7
I love the book of Proverbs. When I study it, I see two distinctly different paths to choose: the way of the wise or the path of the foolish. Wisdom brings many rewards- victory, protection, blessing, and peace. The foolish path, however, brings destruction. Proverbs 1:32 says, “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
So, how do you “get” wisdom?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
This reverential SURRENDER to God, loving Him above all else…..this trust in Him and His ways, believing Him…..this SEEKING Him above all else is “the fear of the Lord.”
But, a “fool” does it “her own way.” A fool is stubborn. A fool is full of pride. A fool “despises wisdom and discipline.” And, Proverbs tells us that SINCE a fool continues to choose this path, refusing God’s direction, THEN “they will eat the fruit of their ways.” (verse 31)
Ugh. I have had to eat this STUBBORN, REBELLIOUS “fruit salad”!
Verse 23 says, “IF you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.”
Oh, how I pray that I DO respond to God’s rebuke! I want Him to pour out His heart to me and make His thoughts known to me!
So, HOW do I understand “the fear of the Lord”?
Thankfully, Chapter 2 in Proverbs teaches us this.
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you (coming to His Word, accepting it as Truth, storing up His Word in our hearts), turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding (simply- having a TEACHABLE heart), and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding(fervent, passionate PRAYER) , and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure (how would you search for a million dollars buried in the backyard?), THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6
Finally, Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 to “be careful how we live- not as unwise, but wise, making the most of every opportunity…..don’t be foolish but try to understand what the Lord’s will is.” Lord, I want to make the most of every opportunity you have planned for me!
Sweet friend, God wants to p0ur out His wisdom on us (James 1). He doesn’t want us to be foolish, but wise. He wants to lead us in the way of wisdom. God wants us to search for His Wisdom, His ways….trusting Him. He want us to be surrendered to HIS WAY. He wants our hearts to be soft and pliable….teachable. And, oh, the pain I could have spared myself if I just would have ASKED God and followed Him, instead of foolishly going my own way.
Father God, I love You! Thank You that You so generously pour out Your Wisdom on me. Thank You that You “give Wisdom to anyone who asks and that You give it generously.” Lord, I see that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Lord, grow in me the “fear of the Lord!” Lord, make my heart soft and teachable…..pliable. Lord, give me such a DESIRE for Your Wisdom! Father, I confess the foolishness of my heart! And, God, I thank You for Your forgiveness for the times when I have been so foolish. Your grace is amazing. I love You, Lord! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
And, please stop by my blog later today to enjoy some of our April Fool’s Fun!
Great post sweetie.
This is a great day for a bible study on wisdom compared to fools.
And might I say you were very wise to post it.
Thank you, Ron
Thank you Tracy for posting these marvelous passages out of Proverbs. What a great way to understand the difference between our foolish hearts and His wisdom.
Be blessed today and always…
The best April Fool’s wisdom ever!
This is a beautiful post….I love how God uses people to help others…He is definately using you in an awesome way.
I love how all we have to do is ask the Lord to help us and He is there…teaching us every step of the way…we just have to listen.
Hope you have a blessed day.
Elizabeth
Wise advice…
I have eaten of that “fruit salad” many times and it is never tasty….
I just got done writing my blog and went to Technorati and found yours. We use the same verse. Read mine if you want a couple of real examples about your writing. It won’t be posted until Friday morning, but I didn’t want to lose this place. Thanks.