The Prudent Life

For Friday, February 17, 2006
Proverbs 15:24

The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

The prudent is defined as a person who thinks through what he does. He considers his ways, where the path that any decision he makes leads him. He is careful with his remarks that they do not come back to haunt him. He is discerning in regard to the friends he makes, the places he frequents, knowing that there is always what is below the surface to consider.

This does not mean that he is indecisive, always taking a long time to know what to say or do. Rather, he knows what not to waste time giving value to in making decisions. He immediately goes below the surface; he is quick to discern after-effects of his actions. And if he has trained himself for years in acting with prudence, then he becomes a very decisive person knowing by instinct what is right or wrong. And so his path takes an upward direction away from the Sheol of folly and disaster towards glory above.

This, of course, is because of his most prudent action of all - recognizing his inadequacy without Christ to save himself or to live a life of prudence. In Christ, he takes the attitude of the apostle Paul who wrote: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).

Apt Answers

For Thursday, February 16, 2006
Proverbs 15:23

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in seaon, how good it is!

It is a blessing to give an apt word and to receive it. The blessing of possessing wisdom is giving an apt word that encourages a neighbor; or that saves the neighbor from disaster; or gives guidance that leads a neighbor along the right path. That is the blessing of possessing knowledge - to help others when they are in need. And wisdom is needed for giving such answers. Often an apt answer is a surprise even to the one giving it. But, in truth, the answer is not surprising because it comes from an inner source of wisdom and discernment. The surprise homeroom at the bottom of the ninth happens because of years of conditioning and practice, so that even if it is the only homeroom of the hitter, it is still the result of one he has developed physically and inwardly. Do you want to give "apt" answers? Then seek wisdom; store up wisdom through study of the Scriptures; through listening to and reading the works of wise people; through prayer.

And give thanks to God for the "word in season" that has come to you. Thank him for the word from a friend, a relative, a minister, and even a stranger that came at just the right time - the note, the email, the phone call, the sentence in a book, a song overheard. In so many ways God has sent to us a word in season.

And thank God for the "Word for all seasons," our Lord Jesus Christ.

Counsel

For Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.

Many of our plans seem right - the house to buy, the job to take, the strategy for carrying out a project, the method of settling a dispute, etc. But we show a plan to a friend or someone with more expertise, and surprisingly see glaring mistakes in our thinking. Indeed, what were we thinking, we wonder. Or maybe we are near target, but with the review of others it is sharpened and made better.

This is the strength of counsel. By submitting our ideas, thoughts, and plans to others for review, our thinking becomes sharper. Counsel may reveal blindspots, or further refine good plans, or even reinforce our decisions as the questioning of others forces us to think through the defense of our plans.

The point of the matter is that seeking counsel is a sign of wisdom, not of weakness. People who fail at leadership often fail because they don't understand this principle. They think that seeking counsel signifies weakness, especially if counsel leads to exposing errors in their thinking or admitting that they need help. But good leaders get to their positions by listening well to others; they demonstrate their wisdom by how well they respond to counsel - be it discerning between good counsel and bad counsel. By accepting good counsel, they build loyalty among their counselors. They rise to the top because they have proven to others that they listen well and work well with others.

Dont' be afraid to seek counsel, be it for work, or life decisions, or marriage/family matters, or spiritual.

Motivated by Joy

For Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Proverbs 15:21

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

We may wonder how a person can play the fool, acting and speaking in embarrassing ways. The answer: he enjoys it. Most often he thinks he is demonstrating his sophistication or coolness or daring spirit. He enjoys the attention he gains, even if it is notoriety. What matters is being in the spotlight. He may get his kicks out of shocking others, thinking that he is making fools out of them. Whatever the reason, motivation is the pleasure, even the "high" that he gets from folly.

The person of understanding walks straight ahead, not distracted nor tempted by the follies of others. And what is he walking to? The heavenly city; the glorious prize; eternal joy. He is keeping his eyes on his Savior. He walks, not rejecting joy, but finding his joy in his Lord and Savior. He rejects the joy of the fool because it is vaporous and sin-filled. It is a joy that harms and blinds. It is a joy that would shame his Lord. The wise person's joy is in honoring his Lord.

And so the fool and the person of understanding move along motivated by joy. Who gets the better deal?

Wise Children

For Monday, February 11, 2006
Proverbs 15:20

A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.

This proverb presents a contrast between the wise and the foolish. The wise are the pride and joy of their parents; the foolish are their shame. But I want fathers to consider what they should be looking for in their children.

Look, of course, for wisdom. More than athletic achievement and even more than good grades, look for wisdom. Cultivate in them early the way to make wise discernments - how to control their tongues, how to be conscientious in their work, the value of knowledge and understanding, all the things that the proverbs have been extolling. You may want to present a "proverb a day" to them. Surely a biblical proverb is as good as giving a daily vitamin.

But also note a sign of foolishness that ought to disturb the father - despising one's mother. Most likely what is meant is disregarding her instruction and discipline. The father, above all, is to protect the honor of his wife especially before his children. They should know that to speak back to their mother will result in dire consequences administered by their father. Never allow your children to show disrespect to your wife. There are no winners. Your wife is disheartened and hurt, and your children grow up foolish.

Applying this metaphorically, we should be reminded that not only are we to show respect to our Lord Jesus Christ, but to his Bride, the Church. To honor him is to honor his Bride.