I know, I know… I am supposed to be studying in the book of Job. I am, just a touch slower than expected. Recent events have me appreciating the wisdom bestowed upon me from my parents – specifically my mother. Those few that do follow the ramblings of this small town pastor, may or may not know my mom suffers with Alzheimer’s and it has become aggressive as of late. That has me reflecting on how she was so instrumental in my life when it comes to spiritual matters. She often prayed for us kids even when we did not want it! The craziness of how intrusive she was right? (Yes that was sarcasm – so much so it would have her rolling her eyes and using two names as she called me out!)

When I was in the Navy, she would send me letters, cards or a care package or 2 and all of these forms of snail mail communication would include a line or two in the form of a proverb. Each of them would start out with the words “My son.” She would often substitute this phrase for my name when I would call, come over or even through my dad if he was on the phone with me! My son! My son…. My son?
I can almost hear her voice variations now! It took a while, but I finally realized it wasn’t the first two words she was saying that she meant for me to hear but what followed them. Some of these posts will be a short devotion on what wisdom my mother was the conduit for me to hear the Word of God. Maybe I can be, in some small way, a conduit for God’s wisdom in life.
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Proverbs 3: 1-2
The Word tells us to hide it in our hearts so that we will not sin against you (Ps 119: 11). The prayer that people of the Jewish faith still pray multiple times a day says to hide it in our hearts and think and speak it all through the day (Deut 6:6). This proverb instructs us to never forget the teaching and keep it close to who we are as people – our hearts. It must take up dwelling and be present in our daily lives. THere is a result promised here. We get to acquire peace and prosperity. Now… before we think we will have no problems and all the money in the world (that would be foolish thinking, or as a pastor once told me “stinkin thinkin”), lets remember it is His peace, His prosperity. We can prosper in the absence of sin. Remember that first Psalm quotes before? Hide it in our hearts so that we will not sin against God! We must apply that knowledge we are taught. Knowledge is taught and wisdom is the truthful use of that knowledge. We can have peace in the midst of chaos. Remember Peter walking on water? That scene is a great picture of chaos. The waters did not die down. I am sure of the rants and screams of the other disciples as Peter took those firsts steps on water. Peter’s peace ended when he took his focus off of the very source of the wisdom we can gain from the Word.
“Knowledge is taught and wisdom is the truthful use of that knowledge.”
May we achieve peace and prosperity through the wisdom the Word of God brings. May you experience the peace in your trial and the prosperity as sin makes it’s absence in the presence of Jesus Christ our Savior!
If you do not know Jesus as your savior, please reach out to me! Do not wait, do not hesitate! If not me, someone you trust has a current relationship with Jesus! Trust me, you will make their day, week or month and they will experience a prosperity this society knows nothing about!
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