"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
-Proverbs 1:7
Because of some circumstances in my childhood, my first full year of school was 4th grade. My second full year of school was 6th grade. That means by the time I turned 12 (toward the end of 6th grade), I had only had 2 full years of schooling in my back pocket. That's a lot of missing years!
Looking back, I can say the Lord was very favorable toward me. He gave me understanding when I wasn't taught it. He gave me knowledge I didn't know to ask for. The rest of my schooling years, He provided understanding again and again. It is truly a miracle that I made it through high school and college - and I can say it's by the grace of God and His mercy to me that I did!
But after I surrendered my life to Christ, the veil lifted from my mind and I realized just how much I lacked in wisdom and understanding. What I should have learned in childhood, I never did. Common sense wasn't taught to me, and I had to beg God for wisdom to get through even the simplest of tasks in life.
Late one night, when I was struggling to know what to do in a work setting, I called out to the Lord and pleaded for wisdom. I knew I wasn't wise, and I knew I wasn't that smart, but I also knew that Solomon had asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. So, armed with the Bible in one hand and my broken heart in the other, I asked the Lord to give me wisdom. I begged for knowledge and understanding.
I wrote my prayer down on a notecard, and I began to pray it night and day. Little did I know that this little prayer would change my life.
It's been many years since I first cried out to the Lord in my bedroom, alone and afraid for my future. And in that time, God has not only given me wisdom, knowledge and understanding, but a great life and a wonderful family.
His wisdom helped me through countless personal decisions. His wisdom has given me guidance, purpose, and understanding about situations and people beyond what I could know. When I lack, I ask.
He's answered parenting questions, dropped words of knowledge into my head or understanding to my heart. In the process, He healed so much of me that lacked what I wasn't given.
This is a collection of my favorite Proverbs, written by the second wisest man to walk this earth. Turn this into prayers for yourself or for those around you who need the Lord's understanding. May He give you the same miracle He gave me: bestowing wisdom, knowledge and understanding to you because you dared to ask Him to give it to you.
Proverbs To Live By
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
-Proverbs 1:7
"A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel"
-Proverbs 1:5
"My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God."
-Proverbs 2:1-5
"For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly"
-Proverbs 2:6-7
"When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you"
-Proverbs 2:10-11
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
"But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil"
-Proverbs 1:33
Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the first fruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
-Proverbs 3:9-10
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
-Proverbs 3:3-4
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
-Proverbs 3:33
Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
-Proverbs 3:13-18
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
-Proverbs 4:5-7
My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge.
-Proverbs 5:1-2
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
-Proverbs 4:25-26
With joy,
Jessica
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