Tag Archives: wisdom

Perfect!

16 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people (Psalm 19:7, CEV).

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The Word of God — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

I have trouble with the word perfect. Is it possible to achieve perfection on this side of heaven?

During my days as a teacher, I could give a student 100% on a math test where right or wrong answers are not open to interpretation, but on creative writing assignments or essays I simply refused to give a student 100% even if their writing was well thought out and error free. Error free does not mean perfect. Do anyone’s thoughts on a topic encompass all wisdom and knowledge? Of course not. There is always more to learn or understand.

But…but David declared that the Law of the LORD is perfect.

The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people (Psalm 19:7, CEV).

The expression the Law of the LORD refers to the written Word of God. God’s written Word is perfect because it does not originate with man. Its source is in God. It comes from heaven even as Jesus came from heaven and is the perfect embodiment of the Word. See John 1:1-5. Jesus came to bring us new life and perfect wisdom.

Response: LORD God, give me a love for your written Word because in it I find wisdom from the living, eternal Word. Lord Jesus, you are the perfection that I need! Amen.

Your Turn: Are you a perfectionist? Are you good enough or do you need the perfection of Jesus?

David

15 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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David treated the people fairly
    and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

Tomb of David Entrance - Lois Morrow

At the entrance to the Museum of the Tomb of David — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow.

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

Today’s verse from the Psalms tells us that David exemplified wisdom.

David treated the people fairly and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

In yesterday’s post we learned that respect and obedience to the LORD is the first step to wisdom and good sense (Psalm 111:10). Obviously to receive such a commendation, David must have lived his life in a healthy fear and respect for the LORD. On more than one occasion David fell into sin, but when he messed up, he repented. He humbled himself and turned back to God. 

David earned this commendation because of how he treated others; he treated people fairly. David showed mercy because he had received mercy. Do we do the same?

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Just like David we act wisely, when we do what we pray, when we show mercy because we have received mercy.

Response: LORD God, I want to act wisely in my interactions with others. Help me to treat people fairly, even as I would want to be treated. Jesus, show me your way. Amen.

Your Turn: What does fair treatment mean for you? Does it mean getting even?

The First Step to Wisdom

14 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected (Psalm 111:10, CEV).

Daisy 2016-06-06

Garden daisy display — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that the wisdom of God is expressed through His amazing creation. But what does it mean to be wise? How is wisdom expressed in our daily lives? Wisdom is knowledge and understanding in action—applied to real circumstances.

When it comes to wisdom, we all need more of it. Far too often real world wisdom is in short supply. The psalmist gives us this advice:

Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected (Psalm 111:10, CEV).

God will always be respected by some, but will we personally respect and obey Him? Respect for God is by no means universal. It’s a choice we make. Respect is an attitude. Obedience is the action that flows from respect. Too often we tell God we love and respect Him and then proceed to disobey His commands. That’s self-deluded nonsense.

Obedience is where the rubber hits the road. Jesus said, “And you are my friends, if you obey me (John 15:14). Obeying Jesus is wisdom applied.

Response: LORD God, teach me wisdom. Teach me your commands for my daily life. Jesus, your greatest command is that we love one another. Give me your kind of love and obedience to your Father. Amen

Your Turn: Can we separate respect from obedience? Are you taking steps to wisdom?

Your Wisdom Made So Many Things

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Our LORD, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures (Psalm 104:24, CEV).

Always spend some time with your honey!

Monarch Butterfly — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

At 4:20 this morning I heard a robin sing his brilliant song to welcome the new day. Before I wrote this post, I saw a squirrel scamper across the walkway to hide a peanut in the soil beneath our lilies. The monarch butterfly in the photo above closed and then opened its wings, so I could capture its beauty in glory spread wide. As we behold all this and so much more, is it any wonder that the psalmist makes this statement:

Our LORD, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures (Psalm 104:24, CEV).

The infinite variety and diversity of God’s creatures is astounding. The word infinite is appropriate. Every year biologists add newly discovered species to the catalog of God’s creation. We are nowhere near discovering them all. Yet somehow we have the audacity to consider ourselves the superior ones—the ones who know how it all was formed.

Real wisdom knows its limitations. Real wisdom knows when to bow its head in praise.

Response: LORD God, in humility I bow before you. You are the awesome Creator whose wisdom I cannot begin to fathom. All praise belongs to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you amazed at God’s creation? Have we forgotten the One who set it all in motion?

A Fortress of Praise

19 Thursday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless (Psalm 8:2, CEV).

D Adam Moon 3

Prairie Moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the word fortress.

The idea of building a fortress with praise seems completely illogical. How can praises build a fortress? But that’s what today’s verse from the Psalms states:

With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless (Psalm 8:2, CEV).

Furthermore, this fortress is not built with the praises of men, but rather with the praises of children and infants. The simple innocence and wisdom of children often confounds the philosophers and experts of the day. It was children who hailed Jesus as the messianic Son of David, while the chief priests and teachers of the Law scoffed at him (Matthew 21:14-16).

Praising the Lord fortifies our spirit against the attacks of the enemy. And it doesn’t take a genius to apply that truth.

Response: LORD God, I want to build a fortress of praise. There is no one as holy, loving and powerful as you. I give this day, my life and my praise to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do children often grasp the truths of God more easily than adults?

Speak for Justice

05 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice (Psalm 37:30, CEV).

Eric E.Wright 11

Sunset photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is goodness.

Bad things happen when good people remain silent. It’s always right and good to speak up for justice. Why then do we remain silent?

In many cases the answer is fear. We are afraid of being ridiculed or attacked. Criminals get away with murder because good people are afraid to speak out. But it’s not just criminals, who are allowed to strut their stuff. The devil gets his way whenever God’s people remain silent and don’t take a stand.

Today’s verse from the Psalms puts a more positive spin on this topic. Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice (Psalm 37:30, CEV).

Wisdom is often in short supply. You can be absolutely right about a matter, but absolutely wrong about how you address it. Both wisdom and goodness need to come from our lips.

Response: LORD God, help me stand for what is fair and just. Give me wisdom to speak into the situations around me. Help me overcome the fear that allows evil to triumph. Amen.

Your Turn: Is there a situation that you need to speak into?