Yes… Monday has finally arrived!
What will be the first thing you take time to do this morning?
Some rush about to prepare for work, grab that cup of joe, a piece of toast, and out the door to slay the dragon call “J-O-B”. Others frantically prepare the kids for a day of education, and then rapidly get about their other duties for the day. Still, others… well, you know who you are!
A few years ago I purposed to make my mornings different. Some quiet time with scripture, devotion, prayer, and thinking about the day ahead, even if it means getting up a little bit earlier than normal. My days always seems to need the calendar rearranged as plans change, so then I get busy following the prepared schedule.
The Psalmist said, “Early will I see thee” when he had his prayer time with God. (Psalms 63:1) I use this as my guide to say, “Put God First!” But others think that night time winding down is better. It’s your choice, but I’m not interested in starting the day without some prepping and planning!
Starting today I am purposing to spend the next 31 days with the Proverbs. Everyday, an entire chapter will become my devotion. Let me share a tidbit from the first chapter.
Proverbs. Chapter 1. Begins with a heading that says, “The Beginning of Knowledge.”
You have to start somewhere with your pursuit of knowledge. We’ve been blessed to have a good education system that gives us the basic tools, but most of my school experience seemed to be focus on pumping “knowledge” into my brain. Facts. Figures. Formulas. All the beginning things we need to have in order to function in the world.
As a kid I remember being so impressed when my younger brother, Ken, stood in front of church and recited all the books of the bible. That’s 66 remembered words! He must have been 4 or 5, or some ridiculously young age. Impractical, some would say, but it is the memorization of facts that builds the basis for the pursuit of knowledge. Today, Ken is very talented and ordained in his preaching of the Word of God…it started young!
In this beginning chapter, and throughout the book, Solomon uses words like Wisdom, Instruction, Understanding, Knowledge, Learning, Counsel, Proverb, Wise… Words that gives you the hint that he valued knowing and continuing his learning past those early years of schooling. In fact….
A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, (Proverbs 1:5 NKJV)
Notice… He never mentions that you reach an age where you no longer focus on increasing your learning. It’s a life long pursuit! What is that beginning of knowledge?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)
However, in his other book, Ecclesiastes, he closes out his writing with this admonition.
And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 NKJV)
Too much focus on books might not be the best way to pursue learning! I have found it a good thing to learn from others, and the world around me. I must get out of the books and put the knowledge I’ve acquired to work, all the while learning still from everything I’m involved in. Because, according to Solomon, if your focus has been to the learning from books, and not keeping God first in your living, then all you’ve accomplished will come into judgement.
Let’s continue our learning. Read the Word of God. Be instant, in season and out of season. Be ready.