Proverbs 16:14-20

verse 20: “He who gives attention to the word shall find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”

“What’s the first rule when helping Daddy?”
“Follow instructions.”

This is the advice I give my children when they want to help Daddy do something (or when Daddy needs them to do something!) One of the humorous stereotypes of men in society today is that they don’t ask for help or directions. Maybe I’m not stereotypical; the first thing I do when something has to be assembled is read the instructions and check the enclosed parts to make sure nothing is missing. One time, I almost finished assembling something…let me stress, ALMOST finished…when I discovered I was missing a screw that was necessary. Thankfully, I had a spare screw that could be used, else that story wouldn’t have ended well! That’s why I check beforehand and follow the instructions.

God gives us instructions; He gave us His Word. It also says plainly above that he “who gives attention to the word shall find good”. So, is it time to stop what you’re trying to do…and go back and read the instructions?

Something to think about.

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Proverbs 1:1-6

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the beginning of the study on Proverbs. This study will be much like the one I did for 1 and 2 Corinthians…we’ll read through chapter by chapter, and, with God’s guidance, I’ll share some insights on verses He points out to me. So, on with the book!

verses 5-6: “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.”

There is one rule about “helping Daddy” that I always tell my sons: “what is the first rule when you help Daddy?” Answer: “follow instructions!” My sons are eager to help me (when they are helping me. 🙂 ) However, they are not going to know what to do or how to do it unless they receive instruction. They might know how to do something…but they might not know the best, most efficient way to do it unless they receive counsel.

Homework, for instance, can seem hard to an elementary school-age child. On several occasions, my sons couldn’t understand what was being asked in math problems. I rephrased the questions in ways they would understand, and thus explain the process of how to arrive at the answer. They grasped the concepts I explained to them, and they understood it. Up till that moment, though, those math problems were undecipherable riddles to them that made no sense.

The wisdom that Solomon had, was granted to him by God. When he ascended to the throne of his father David, Solomon knew he would need God’s help to rule the people wisely, and when God offered him any gift, he asked for wisdom. God still reigns today, and knows all. He may choose to answer a question in a different response than we expect. However the question is answered, it’s not because He doesn’t know the answer. God knows better for us than we know ourselves. Remember, Jesus also said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given to you…” Sometimes, all you have to do to gain the answers…is to ask.

Have a blessed day!

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