1 Samuel 17:1=18:4 / John 8:21-30 / Psalm 111 / Proverbs 15:11
There are times I don’t know what to do in a situation – lots of times really. I’m usually asking someone’s advice or for their perspective. I’m always asking God for His input because I realize He knows the best path for everything I face. Do you ever just feel lost? Or overwhelmed? And you don’t know what to do? I hope what I have to share today will help!
Psalm 111:10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
This topic of fear of the LORD and wisdom keeps coming up, so I’m going to discuss it again here. I’ve been leading a class called The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst and we’ve learned that our Best Yes begins by understanding the fear of the LORD and wisdom. I’ve also just recorded a teaching with two friends on our Wheat or Chaff YouTube channel where we discussed wisdom. You may watch that here …
The topic of wisdom – knowing how to apply the knowledge you have – has so many facets to it, but I want to keep it simple today so you can use what you learn right away. So, let’s do what we usually do and break down that scripture up there!
Fear = yira (yiraw) = respect, reverence
Foundation = resit (ray-sheeth) = the beginning or first of its kind
Wisdom = hakma (khok-maw) = skill in war / wisdom in administration / shrewdness / wisdom in religious affairs / wisdom, both ethical and religious.
Let’s start with the first sentence in Psalm 111:10, and let’s state it in layman’s terms, or Still the Mom language. When I respect and honor God, I’m able to build upon that respect with wisdom. What does wisdom give me? It gives me the ability to know how to handle myself in spiritual war. It teaches me to manage my business affairs. It teaches me to look out for the things God has given me. And finally, wisdom teaches me to live with integrity in my life and my relationships with God and my family and friends.
You may have a different interpretation to help you grasp what the Strong’s Concordance had to say about that first sentence. If you do, would you share it with me. I’d love to learn from you!
Let’s look together at that second sentence, because I’m curious about the relationship between obedience and growth in wisdom! That said, let’s look at the following words:
Obey = asa (aw-saw) = accomplish, work, act,
Grow = good understanding = tob (tobe) sekel (seh-kel) insight that is valuable in estimation, prosperity, happiness, bounty.
Once again, let’s try a Still the Mom version. When I’m willing to follow God’s instructions by acting on them, I will increase in my ability to clearly see the situations around me, and I’ll be able to respond to them in the best possible way.
Here’s your action plan. Make a choice to show God the respect He deserves. That will give you the ability to know the best response in life situations. As you do what God says, you’ll become even more wise.
