PROVERBS 15:14-17
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a dish of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
TO PONDER:
Why proverbs, parables, and riddles? So, the listener will take responsibility for their own education and learn how to ‘figure it out’ for themselves.
St. Paul said to his congregation in Philippi, ‘continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.’ (Philippians 2:12,13)
To follow Jesus, we must each seek our own path and must work it out for ourselves, in light of Scripture and godly teaching, but ultimately our path is our own.
The writer of these proverbs says, ‘The discerning heart seeks knowledge’. That is, intimacy with the mind of God. A fool is one who speaks without this intimacy and without knowledge of God, their path is hidden and without direction.
The author says surely, it’s better to be joyful rather than miserable, better to pursue God than to pursue great wealth and the trouble it brings. Better to live simply with loving friends than to have our appetite for a prime rib destroyed by hatred. Walk your path, work out your salvation as you seek the way of the Lord.
Spiritual Intelligence is choosing to be a seeker of the way of the Lord. Discern the knowledge of the Lord, live simply, love and choose a cheerful heart.
PRAYER
Father, reveal to me my secret desire to pursue wealth, my jealous desires, and my hatred instead of love. Forgive me and resolve all grudges and conflicts within me. Heal me and be a light to my feet and a lamp to my path. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by LifeWay Illawarra Pastor, David Schuppan
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