These verses from Proverbs chapter 2 are some of my favorite verses regarding pursuing God once you've become a believer! (they are laid out in a conditional, if-then structure; "if" v. 1-4, "then" v. 5-10):
1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
This morning, I enjoyed how God gave clear direction to Joseph to take care of Jesus and Mary by moving to Egypt and then back to Nazareth to fulfill the prophecies - God's perfect plan for their lives. I know that God will give me clear direction if I seek Him like Proverbs 2 instructs.
I really appreciate Peter and John's boldness and decisive obedience every time I read Acts 3 and 4. It's so refreshing to hear boldness; it just smacks of intimacy with God - knowing and doing His will. Also, I really appreciate their simple and clear focus on the Gospel message, as illustrated in the following selected verses:
Acts 2:36, 38-39
36 "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" ... 38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God."
Acts 3:19-20
19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
Acts 4:10-13
10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,'The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.'12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
So, the question is, "How do I do that; how do I exercise Proverbs 2:1-4 and live like the apostles?" Well, I think it is by loving Him with a joyful heart and obeying Him out of a heart of gratitude for His grace and mercy ( e.g., reading the scriptures each morning, praying, and living faithfully by delighting in the Lord).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise you for your goodness and mercy. Lord, I exalt you above everything else in my life. Lord, I want you to receive all the glory in my life. Lord, I want to seek you like Proverbs 2 tells me to; I want to know you and experience your power and work in my life like the apostles. Oh Lord, may people see me as an ordinary man who has been with Jesus. Lord, please wrap me in your Spirit, and may I walk according to your Word, not legalistically, but joyfully because you've written your laws on my heart. Lord, give me joy and peace today as I follow you and enjoy your sweetness. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which anyone is saved. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment