Proverbs 2:6-7 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hold victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.
God gives us wisdom and victory but not for drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and resources. If we are faithful and keep our purpose in life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed.
Proverbs: 1:7-9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching, they will be a garland to grace your head and chain to adorn your neck.
In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot. It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life. The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord –to honor and respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his word. Faith in God should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes and your actions. Thrust in God-he will make you truly wise.
Under Gods Command
Gideon
Judges 8:22-23 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.” But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.”
The people wanted to make Gideon their King but Gideon stressed that the LORD was to rule over them. Despite his inconsistencies, Gideon never lost sight of the importance for both a nation and an individual of putting God first.
Let’s Bring It Home: Is God first in your life? If he is, he must affect every dimension of your life not just what you do in church.
Under Gods Command
Gideon
Judges 8:15-17 The Gideon came and said to the men of Succoth, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to you’re your exhausted men?” He took the elders of the town and taught the men of Succoth a lesson by punishing them with desert thorns and briers. He also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town.
Gideon carried out the threat he had made in 8:7. It is difficult to determine whether this act of revenge was justified or whether he should have left the punishment up to God. Gideon was God’s appointed leader, but the officials of Succoth and Peniel refused to help him in any way because they feared the enemy. They showed neither faith nor respect for God nor the man God had chosen to save them.
Lets bring it home: We should help others because it is right, regardless of whether we will benefit personally.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 29:16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
When the wicked are in leadership, sin prevails. In any organization-whether a church, a business, a family, or a government-the climate comes from the top. The people become like their leaders. What kind of climate are you setting for people you lead?
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 28:09 – If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law even his prayers are detestable.
God does not listen to our prayers if we intend to go back to our sin as soon as we get off our knees. If we want to forsake our sin and follow him, however, he willingly listens-no matter how bad our sin has been. What closes his ears is not the depth of our sin, but our secret intention to do it again. God hears our intentions as clearly as he hears our words.
Under Gods Command
Gideon
Judges 8:4-9 Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. He said to the men of Succoth, “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” But the officials of Succoth said, “Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Whey should we give bread to your troops?” Then Gideon replied, “Just for that, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.” From there he went up to Peniel and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Succoth had. So he said to the men of Peniel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.”
The leaders of Succoth and Peniel refused to help Gideon, probably fearing Midian’s revenge should he fail (Gideon’s army was 300 men chasing 15,000). They should have realized that victory was certain because God was with Gideon. But they were so worried about saving themselves that they never thought about God’s power to save.
Lets bring it home: Because of fear for ourselves, we may not recognize God’s presence in other people and therefore miss God’s victory. Then we must face the often bitter consequences of failing to join forces with those God has chosen to do his work. Because God will prevail with or without you, be quick to join others who are engaged in his work. Lend support with your time, money, talents, and prayer.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 27:21 – The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.
Praise tests a person, just as high temperatures test metal. How does praise affect you? Do you work to get it? Do you work harder after you’ve gotten it? Your attitude toward praise tells a lot about your character. People of high integrity are not swayed by praise. They are attuned to their inner convictions, and they do what they should whether or not they are praised for it.
Under Gods Command
Gideon
Judges 8:1-3 Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they criticized him sharply. But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oereb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.
Ephraim’s leaders felt left out because Gideon had not called them to join the battle, but had left them in place to “clean up” the escaping Midianites (“the gleanings”), and so they angrily confronted him. Gideon assured the leaders of Ephraim that their accomplishment was even greater than his own clan’s (Abiezer). His diplomatic explanation pointed out that this rear guard had managed to capture the enemy’s generals, thus cutting off the leaders from their army. Not every necessary job is a highly visible leadership role. Much of the necessary labor of any effective enterprise is considered by many to be dirty work. But such work is vital to getting and big task done.
Lets bring it home: Engineers and millionaires may design and finance an elegant building, but it is the bricklayers who get the work done. Pride causes us to want recognition. Are you content to be God’s bricklayer, or do you resent the work God has given you?
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 26:18-19 Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
Deceiving those who trust you is a horrible crime. Neighbors, employers, and others trust your integrity. You are close enough to take advantage of them, so they must trust you to not use that nearness against them. It is your duty as a Christian to live honestly with all men, but especially those nearest to you.
Jesting (Joking) is not convenient – appropriate, proper, or suitable. It causes confusion, pain, and trouble. It destroys confidence and security. This is especially true when you joke with those who trust you. Truth is a wonderful thing, and it should not be mocked. Your neighbor trusts you – be worthy of it. King Solomon had no use for profane individuals who play tricks on others for profit or pleasure and excuse their wickedness by calling it a game or a joke.
Deceiving those who trust you is a horrible crime. Neighbors, employers, and others trust your integrity. You are close enough to take advantage of them, so they must trust you to not use that nearness against them. It is your duty as a Christian to live honestly with all men, but especially those nearest to you.
Covering and excusing sin by lightly claiming it was just a joke reveals a very profane character. Such persons have no conscience; they laugh at sin; they do not comprehend the pain their deception causes others. We oppose this folly by keeping and requiring a sober and serious approach to all relationships.
Under Gods command 