Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray
has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary,
and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the
rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical,
insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below
are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has
followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional
writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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2 April 2011
Proverbs 2
Focus: “…for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Proverbs 2:8.
Ralph Waldo Emerson got it right in his quote that I put at the bottom
of yesterday’s essay. I’ve thought of it many times since
inserting it. “As soon as there is life there is danger.” Make no
mistake about it—life is dangerous! And anyone doing life
successfully needs a PROTECTION PLAN and a SECURITY SYSTEM that GUARDS
and SHIELDS them at all times. The reason WISDOM (the best use of
human intelligence in relationship with The Creator) is so utterly
important is because it is just that.
Allow me to quote verses 1 through 15 of Proverbs 2 from The Message
paraphrase translation.
1-5 Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you;
collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;
set your heart on a life of Understanding.
That's right—if you make Insight your priority,
and won't take no for an answer,
Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,
like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;
you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.
6-8 And here's why: God gives out Wisdom free,
is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,
a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,
and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.
9-15 So now you can pick out what's true and fair,
find all the good trails!
Lady Wisdom will be your close friend,
and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,
Insight will keep an eye out for you.
They'll keep you from making wrong turns,
or following the bad directions
Of those who are lost themselves
and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
These losers who make a game of evil
and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
Traveling paths that go nowhere,
wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.
Are
we addressing things important here? ABSOLUTELY! Here is
the best PROTECTION PLAN and SECURITY SYSTEM on the market!
“Some folks are wise, and some are otherwise.” -
Tobias Smollett