Above All Get Wisdom Day Three Final
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L I F E F A I T H F U S I O N D E VOT I O NA L
Above All, Get Wisdom L IFEF AITHF USION D EVOTIONAL D AY T HREE
SCRIPTURE STUDY Joshua 1:8-9 1 Chronicles 28:9 Psalm 1:1-3 Isaiah 11:2 Isaiah 43:1b Isaiah 54:13 Jeremiah 29:11 Ephesians 1:17-19a
Consequences of Foolish Choices SCRIPTURE FOCUS What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.” Psalm 32:1-2 (LB)
PRAYER FOCUS Dear Jesus, “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me...” (Ps. 119:105 LB) As I read this devotional, please shine your light on the words and scriptures that I need to focus on today. Amen
Solomon in the book of Proverbs mentions several classes of people who are in desperate need of wisdom. We immediately recognize some on the list like the simple. The rest of Solomon’s list is: the scorner, the lazy, the wicked, and the fool—not very good company for the fool! Solomon’s conclusion is that if you lack wisdom, you are foolish—thinking and responding like a child. (Proverbs 22:15) The wise person has ceased to gratify his impulses, and walks in grace and patience. He cultivates wise management skills and moral discernment. So often, culture influences us by saying “...if it feels right, do it,” but that is not God’s way. That is the way of the fool. The consequences of our actions spread like the concentric circles of a pebble dropped on a still pond. The foolish person makes a choice believing it won’t affect anyone else, but lives are impacted dramatically by the consequences of that decision. The unwise person usually blames God for the consequences of his stupid choices! King Solomon observed that, “A man may ruin his chances by his own foolishness and then blame it on the Lord!” (Proverbs 19:3 LB) Over and over in Ecclesiastes Solomon wrote the phrases “meaningless under the sun” and “chasing after the wind.” He was so frustrated by observing life without God’s perspective. However, when the jaded king finished his futile search, he concluded that the wise course was to “fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 LB)
2
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Have you been blessed by following God’s will and making wise choices? List some instances where you had this happy experience.
•
Have you made foolish choices in your life? What were the consequences? Have you experienced the grace and forgiveness of God to “start over” and live wisely? In what ways?
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What do you think the first step is toward becoming wise? Is anything holding you back from taking this step? What is it, and how will you choose to overcome it?
ABRAHAM AND HAGAR – A PEBBLE DROPPED IN A POND If we were to meet Abraham in Heaven and ask him if he could take back one foolish decision, he would regret his impatience to wait for God to give him the son God promised. His misstep, suggested by Sarah, was for Abraham to have Sarah’s maid, Hagar, bear him a child. Abraham dropped the “pebble into the water” by marrying Hagar. The idea worked, Sarah’s maid Hagar became pregnant; and then Abraham’s life immediately crashed down around him. As soon as Hagar knew she was pregnant, she became arrogant, and taunted Sarah for being barren. Sarah blamed Abraham, and the concentric circles of discord commenced and continue to this day. The never-ending Arab-Israeli conflict is the result of Hagar’s son Ishmael fighting with Sarah’s son Isaac. (Read about Ishmael, Hagar’s son, in Genesis chapters 16-17, 25-28, 36.) [Note: “Sarai gave Hagar to Abram as a substitute wife, a common practice of that time. A married woman who could not have children was shamed by her peers and was often required to give a female servant to her husband in order to produce heirs. The children born to the servant woman were considered the children of the wife. Abram was acting in accordance with the custom of the day.” (LB)] WALKING THE WISE PATH Are you hurting because of the consequences of your lifestyle either now or in your past? Meditate on God’s truth that Jehovah is a personal God who loves you deeply and has extended to you the hand of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. [Note: King David, the second King of Israel, for many years was a shepherd responsible for the care of his father’s sheep. (1 Samuel 16:10-11) He is the writer of one of the best known Psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23. “The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21); and the Good Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). As Jesus is the Good Shepherd, so we are his sheep—not dumb, frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers wise enough to follow One who will lead us wisely and carefully. The Shepherd’s psalm, Psalm 23, is not focusing only on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but the spiritual qualities of those who follow the Shepherd. Our divine Shepherd will lovingly lead His sheep. The moment you choose to take the hand of Jesus, grasps yours and does not let go. (John 17:12; James 4:8, Matthew 7:7)
•
Read Psalm 23 in several translations from contemporary like “The Message” and the Amplified Bible. List some words of assurance in this Psalm that bring comfort and confidence to you.
•
Spend some time reflecting on your life, remembering times that the Good Shepherd guided you even when you were confused and vulnerable. List some of those times and pray a prayer of thanks to Him.
3
THE LOVING KINDNESS OF THE LORD As we walk the Wisdom Path with Jesus, we will fail and choose foolishness. Godly sorrow is appropriate in our moments of disobedience. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly Sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” NIV Understanding the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow is essential to the Christian walk. Worldly sorrow, as expressed in the life of Judas the apostle, brings self-condemnation and death. Godly sorrow feels what Jesus feels as He watched you make your foolish choice. But godly sorrow brings repentance. We turn and “go a different direction,” we receive the forgiveness of Jesus as He became sin for us on the cross, and we begin again to walk wisely by His power and grace. Peter the Apostle experiences godly sorrow. He grieved over his three-fold denial of His Lord, but also continued in faith and received restoration from Jesus at a breakfast by the sea. Peter, flawed as he was, knew how to stumble and grasp Jesus’ hand. It’s a risk asking for forgiveness from someone, wondering if we will be hurt by the person’s response. But we never take a risk when we ask Jesus for forgiveness. In Psalm 103 David writes about the loving kindness of the Lord. He forgives our “sins and is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it” (Psalm 103:8). God even “has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12). God does not remember our sins when we ask for forgiveness, but we sometimes do not allow ourselves to be forgiven. Pastor David Wilkerson writes: “I preach to others that the Lord is gracious and forgiving. But when I fail God it suddenly becomes different. I have to work my way through the terrible burden of guilt and shame. ‘I’ve sinned against you (God). Let me pay you back. Let me grieve and carry the guilt a little bit longer.’ ...I find it hard to understand how, the very moment I turn to Him with all my heart, He so quickly and lovingly accepts me as if I had not sinned!” (“The Lovingkindness of the Lord” Newsletter)
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Do you feel like Pastor Wilkerson when you have confessed your sin—let me grieve and carry the guilt a little longer?
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Does carrying the guilt bring you closer to God or drive you farther away from Him? Memorize Psalm 103:12 and speak it as a prayer when you struggle with receiving forgiveness from Jesus. Write down your sins, pray for forgiveness. As an altar of remembrance, destroy the list, and give a prayer of thanks.
•
Read Psalm 103. Write the verse that means the most to you.
Use these verses for encouragement: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13) God loves you and knows your heart. Claim these verses as your own and begin now with God’s plans for you that are good, filled with hope and giving you a future. APPLYING THE TRUTHSummarize the verse in the space across from the scripture reference Proverbs 4:18-19 Consequence of foolishness Exodus 34:5-7 Wonderful names of the Lord Jeremiah 9:23-24 Glory in the Lord Jonah 4:2 God gracious, slow to anger Psalm 51:10-12 Forgiving ourselves Psalm 32:1-2 Forgiven guilt Galatians 5:1 Christ has set you free
L I F E F A I T H F U S I O N D E VOT I O NA L
Above All, Get Wisdom L IFEF AITHF USION D EVOTIONAL D AY T HREE
SCRIPTURE STUDY Joshua 1:8-9 1 Chronicles 28:9 Psalm 1:1-3 Isaiah 11:2 Isaiah 43:1b Isaiah 54:13 Jeremiah 29:11 Ephesians 1:17-19a
Consequences of Foolish Choices SCRIPTURE FOCUS What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.” Psalm 32:1-2 (LB)
PRAYER FOCUS Dear Jesus, “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me...” (Ps. 119:105 LB) As I read this devotional, please shine your light on the words and scriptures that I need to focus on today. Amen
Solomon in the book of Proverbs mentions several classes of people who are in desperate need of wisdom. We immediately recognize some on the list like the simple. The rest of Solomon’s list is: the scorner, the lazy, the wicked, and the fool—not very good company for the fool! Solomon’s conclusion is that if you lack wisdom, you are foolish—thinking and responding like a child. (Proverbs 22:15) The wise person has ceased to gratify his impulses, and walks in grace and patience. He cultivates wise management skills and moral discernment. So often, culture influences us by saying “...if it feels right, do it,” but that is not God’s way. That is the way of the fool. The consequences of our actions spread like the concentric circles of a pebble dropped on a still pond. The foolish person makes a choice believing it won’t affect anyone else, but lives are impacted dramatically by the consequences of that decision. The unwise person usually blames God for the consequences of his stupid choices! King Solomon observed that, “A man may ruin his chances by his own foolishness and then blame it on the Lord!” (Proverbs 19:3 LB) Over and over in Ecclesiastes Solomon wrote the phrases “meaningless under the sun” and “chasing after the wind.” He was so frustrated by observing life without God’s perspective. However, when the jaded king finished his futile search, he concluded that the wise course was to “fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 LB)
2
•
Have you been blessed by following God’s will and making wise choices? List some instances where you had this happy experience.
•
Have you made foolish choices in your life? What were the consequences? Have you experienced the grace and forgiveness of God to “start over” and live wisely? In what ways?
•
What do you think the first step is toward becoming wise? Is anything holding you back from taking this step? What is it, and how will you choose to overcome it?
ABRAHAM AND HAGAR – A PEBBLE DROPPED IN A POND If we were to meet Abraham in Heaven and ask him if he could take back one foolish decision, he would regret his impatience to wait for God to give him the son God promised. His misstep, suggested by Sarah, was for Abraham to have Sarah’s maid, Hagar, bear him a child. Abraham dropped the “pebble into the water” by marrying Hagar. The idea worked, Sarah’s maid Hagar became pregnant; and then Abraham’s life immediately crashed down around him. As soon as Hagar knew she was pregnant, she became arrogant, and taunted Sarah for being barren. Sarah blamed Abraham, and the concentric circles of discord commenced and continue to this day. The never-ending Arab-Israeli conflict is the result of Hagar’s son Ishmael fighting with Sarah’s son Isaac. (Read about Ishmael, Hagar’s son, in Genesis chapters 16-17, 25-28, 36.) [Note: “Sarai gave Hagar to Abram as a substitute wife, a common practice of that time. A married woman who could not have children was shamed by her peers and was often required to give a female servant to her husband in order to produce heirs. The children born to the servant woman were considered the children of the wife. Abram was acting in accordance with the custom of the day.” (LB)] WALKING THE WISE PATH Are you hurting because of the consequences of your lifestyle either now or in your past? Meditate on God’s truth that Jehovah is a personal God who loves you deeply and has extended to you the hand of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. [Note: King David, the second King of Israel, for many years was a shepherd responsible for the care of his father’s sheep. (1 Samuel 16:10-11) He is the writer of one of the best known Psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23. “The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21); and the Good Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). As Jesus is the Good Shepherd, so we are his sheep—not dumb, frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers wise enough to follow One who will lead us wisely and carefully. The Shepherd’s psalm, Psalm 23, is not focusing only on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but the spiritual qualities of those who follow the Shepherd. Our divine Shepherd will lovingly lead His sheep. The moment you choose to take the hand of Jesus, grasps yours and does not let go. (John 17:12; James 4:8, Matthew 7:7)
•
Read Psalm 23 in several translations from contemporary like “The Message” and the Amplified Bible. List some words of assurance in this Psalm that bring comfort and confidence to you.
•
Spend some time reflecting on your life, remembering times that the Good Shepherd guided you even when you were confused and vulnerable. List some of those times and pray a prayer of thanks to Him.
3
THE LOVING KINDNESS OF THE LORD As we walk the Wisdom Path with Jesus, we will fail and choose foolishness. Godly sorrow is appropriate in our moments of disobedience. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly Sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” NIV Understanding the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow is essential to the Christian walk. Worldly sorrow, as expressed in the life of Judas the apostle, brings self-condemnation and death. Godly sorrow feels what Jesus feels as He watched you make your foolish choice. But godly sorrow brings repentance. We turn and “go a different direction,” we receive the forgiveness of Jesus as He became sin for us on the cross, and we begin again to walk wisely by His power and grace. Peter the Apostle experiences godly sorrow. He grieved over his three-fold denial of His Lord, but also continued in faith and received restoration from Jesus at a breakfast by the sea. Peter, flawed as he was, knew how to stumble and grasp Jesus’ hand. It’s a risk asking for forgiveness from someone, wondering if we will be hurt by the person’s response. But we never take a risk when we ask Jesus for forgiveness. In Psalm 103 David writes about the loving kindness of the Lord. He forgives our “sins and is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it” (Psalm 103:8). God even “has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12). God does not remember our sins when we ask for forgiveness, but we sometimes do not allow ourselves to be forgiven. Pastor David Wilkerson writes: “I preach to others that the Lord is gracious and forgiving. But when I fail God it suddenly becomes different. I have to work my way through the terrible burden of guilt and shame. ‘I’ve sinned against you (God). Let me pay you back. Let me grieve and carry the guilt a little bit longer.’ ...I find it hard to understand how, the very moment I turn to Him with all my heart, He so quickly and lovingly accepts me as if I had not sinned!” (“The Lovingkindness of the Lord” Newsletter)
•
Do you feel like Pastor Wilkerson when you have confessed your sin—let me grieve and carry the guilt a little longer?
•
Does carrying the guilt bring you closer to God or drive you farther away from Him? Memorize Psalm 103:12 and speak it as a prayer when you struggle with receiving forgiveness from Jesus. Write down your sins, pray for forgiveness. As an altar of remembrance, destroy the list, and give a prayer of thanks.
•
Read Psalm 103. Write the verse that means the most to you.
Use these verses for encouragement: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13) God loves you and knows your heart. Claim these verses as your own and begin now with God’s plans for you that are good, filled with hope and giving you a future. APPLYING THE TRUTHSummarize the verse in the space across from the scripture reference Proverbs 4:18-19 Consequence of foolishness Exodus 34:5-7 Wonderful names of the Lord Jeremiah 9:23-24 Glory in the Lord Jonah 4:2 God gracious, slow to anger Psalm 51:10-12 Forgiving ourselves Psalm 32:1-2 Forgiven guilt Galatians 5:1 Christ has set you free
