6th. February. 2021. Daily Devotion.

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
¹¹ For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Proverbs 9:10-12

How do we pursue wisdom? The answer is found here: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6). This wisdom comes from above (James. 3:17), and we can never hope to attain it on our own.

The treasure of wisdom rests in the hands of God, but we need to be more specific. What are the conditions for attaining it?  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” According to the wisdom literature of the Bible, the true skill in the art of living life can only be achieved by cultivating the fear of the Lord.

This leads us to yet another question. What is the fear of the Lord? Now we are on the brink of one of the central, yet often overlooked, concepts of Scripture:

• Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).
• Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to fear Thy name (Ps. 86:11).
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever (Ps. 111:10).
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov. 1:7). ~ Ken Boa

Prayer of Submission

Dear Lord, I give you my hands to do your work; I give you my feet to go your way; I give you my eyes to see as you see; I give you my tongue to speak your words; I give you my mind that you may think in me; I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me. I give you my whole self, Lord, that you may grow in me, so that it is you who lives, works and prays in me. Amen.

The Blessing of Mark

O Sovereign and almighty Lord bless all your people, and all your flock. Give your peace, your help, and your love unto us your servants, the sheep of your fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in your divine and boundless love. Amen. From the Liturgy of Mark, 2d Century A.D.

Keep Open my Mind and Heart

Dear Lord,

I have been the recipient of so much of your goodness in my life. Please keep me open in my mind and heart to receive whatever grace you wish to give me.

In this time of pandemic, it could be that you are giving me new eyes to see
how much I have been taking for granted in my daily life and how much I have
received without taking notice.

You have given me years and years of blessings.
When my friends and I emerge from this period of isolation, may we
truly treasure each person we know as a gift from You.
I pray, in the name of Jesus. Amen. ~  John Burger.