Corona Devo 1270

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  ~James 1:19

The wisest people I know are quiet...but not in a meek way.  In a wise way.  Their words do not spill out like toothpaste that makes a mess and "can't be put back in".  

Their opinions do not protrude like an unsightly wart.  

They are patient.  They have the wisdom to know that they do not know everything.  They have the wisdom to know that God does know everything, and that He is indeed always working.  Even in ways that we do not understand.  And even in people that we do not understand.  

~~~

A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.  (3) You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!  ~Ecclesiastes 10:2-3

The wise are careful with their words. The wise are careful with their actions.  Fools are careless about both.  I recently volunteered at an event for an organization that I have been a part of for six years.  I'm no expert with them, but it's fair to say that I have become comfortable with the logistics, personnel and routines there.  But beside me stood a woman who joined this group two weeks ago.  She spoke with an air of superiority and arrogance to anyone passing by about a group that she knew nothing about (yet).  She gave incorrect answers and spoke incessantly. 

The evening next to her exhausted me, and identified her as a fool.  There was no wisdom in her "walk".

A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.  (3) You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!  ~Ecclesiastes 10:2-3

The wise do not make up their own answers.  The wise seek knowledge and are teachable enough to listen to the words of the wise.

I wasn't the annoying know-it-all the other night, but I have been.  To my husband, to my kids, to my parents, and perhaps to you.  

And that is why God makes this verse personal for me, and perhaps to you:

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.  (18) For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.  (19) I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.  ~Proverbs 22:17-19  

        Listen to the words of the wise...  ~Proverbs 22:17  

        ...apply your heart to my instruction.   ~Proverbs 22:17  

      I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.  ~Proverbs 22:19

Sometimes I think, no--I know that God says specific things in the Bible just for me.  This "yes, you" is for me (and perhaps you).  God is teaching me today, to listen to the words of the wise, in order to become wise.  

Through His Word and through His understanding, He knows that our pride gets in our way.  And when it does, we lack wisdom.  But God is teaching us (yes, us), so that we will trust in the Lord today.

~~~

A couple well-respected men in my life are turning 80 years old this year.  I love them dearly for many reasons, but their wisdom tops the list.  

Slow to speak, quick to encourage, and patient in life (and with those living it around them)...the wise read the Bible and have become partners with the Holy Spirit in applying their hearts to God's instruction.    

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.  (18) For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.  (19) I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.  ~Proverbs 22:17-19  

But how does one become wise?  I suspect that these octogenarians became wise by listening to the words of the wise and applying their hearts to God's instruction.  

This is how we will gain wisdom as well.

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.  (18) For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.  (19) I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.  ~Proverbs 22:17-19  

A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.  (3) You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!  ~Ecclesiastes 10:2-3


Yes...you!

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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