Choosing Wisely. Proverbs 8-9; First Peter 4

May the mumbling commence!

When we talk about the wisdom that comes down from the Lord, how far down does the foundation go?  It goes all the way before creation…  It predates time itself.  Read from Proverbs chapter eight:

"The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.  I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.  I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.  Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born – before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 

I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.  I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth.  I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.  And how happy I was with what he created – his wide world and all the human family! 

And so, my children, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. (Verses 22-32)

The wisdom of God came before anything else.  The wisdom of God was there when all other things were created and established.  More than that, the wisdom of God was the architect by the side of the Lord.  God’s wisdom took part in the creation itself.

And God’s wisdom took full part in the delight of the creation.  It is very good.

So, who better to go to than the one who created us and all we can see around us?  No one – that’s the answer.  We come humbly to lady wisdom to learn God’s Way.

Sometimes going God’s Way will mean suffering.  But, at least, this suffering has a silver lining.  It is suffering with meaning because the promise of a full and abundant life is its conclusion.

In this old world, we will suffer.  There is no way around it.  So, we must ask ourselves: Do we want to suffer meaninglessly like the world does?  OR do we want to suffer with the foreknowledge that this suffering will lead to live eternal?  Which will we choose?

Read from First Peter chapter four:

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning.  And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.  You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy – their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (Verses 1-3)

So, will it be suffering that leads to death?  OR will it be suffering that leads to life in Christ?  The choice is clear.  The foundation of the wisdom of God in Christ is deep.  Help us, O God, to choose wisely.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out