Day 5: A 31 day journey into seeking God’s Wisdom
Welcome to Day 5 of a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your Creator God
Have you been following along on our daily meditation into Solomon's Book of Proverbs? If you have, then feel free to share your stories of enlightenment thus far. Has God spoken to your heart through these scriptures and prayers? The Bible tells us to share with others, so use the comments section below each of these daily posts, to share your thoughts and experiences with us. You don't even have to include your name. Just let us know you are out there, enjoying these daily lessons and meditations with us. Thank you. I look forward to reading your thoughts, prayers, and stories.
Reflection
Yesterday we read and reflected on Proverbs 4, and learned more, thought-provolking ways to avoid the enemy while embracing wisdom. I just love verse13 – "Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life". Even as Christians, we are not expected to be perfect. We will never be perfect because there is, was and always will be only 1 who is perfect, and that is Jesus Christ. For the rest of us, if we are open to hearing God and allowing Him to lead us, God teaches and reveals new lessons to each one of us all the time. The lesson I learn today may be something you learned last year, and the lesson you learn today may be something God has already revealed to me.. or will in His time. What I mean is that each one of us is at a different places in our walk. You are not expected to know it all or be perfect. What God asks of us is to learn the lessons He is teaching us as we go, and apply them to our lives, moving forward. So if forgiveness is something you have battled with in the past and God has taken you out of the chains that unforgiveness wrapped around you, then learn from it and do not allow yourself to ever be chained again. It is in the learning and growing that brings and develops our wisdom, allowing us to share and be an inspiration to others. Even long time Christians should realize that you can learn something from newer (baby) Christians, because we never know it all and the order in which our life lessons are brought to us from God are as unique are we are. Let us know if you experienced any revelations in yesterday's Proverbs.
Daily Devotional Scripture Reading
Now let's move on to Proverb 5.
Before you begin this short exercise each day that will radically change your life, find your quiet place where you can spend 15-30 minutes alone with God and His Word. It is very important that you do not rush this or try to move through it as quickly as you can. Don't have the time? If you will spare this time for God to go through this exercise each day, you will soon find that God will open your days up to you, giving you even more time than you ever thought possible or had before. Your delays will be shorter, your days will run smoother with less waste. You will actually GAIN time. Remember, God is a loving and giving Father who promises to give back everything we give and offer to Him in love - in MULTITUDES, and that includes time.
Start with this simple prayer:
Our Father in Heaven and earth, Creator of all, Thank you Father God for this day and for the gift of your Son that I may live and walk in your love all the days of my life. I ask Father that you open the eyes of my heart and soul to hear and understand what lesson it is that you want me to learn from your words today. Please show me the wisdom that is contained in your holy words and allow me to discern the message, so that I may apply it to my life today, to draw me closer to you and to enrich the lives of others. As I read these words oh Lord, fill me with wisdom and understanding, compassion and love, so that I may be a blessing to others today. Thank you God.
Now let's begin reading Proverb 5, versus 1-23, and be sure to speak it out loud:
Proverbs 5:1-23
1MY SON, be attentive to my Wisdom [godly Wisdom learned by actual and costly experience], and incline your ear to my understanding [of what is becoming and prudent for you],
2That you may exercise proper discrimination and discretion and your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer [to temptation].
3For the lips of a loose woman drip honey as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil;(A)
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged and devouring sword.
5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold of Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead).
6She loses sight of and walks not in the path of life; her ways wind about aimlessly, and you cannot know them.
7Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8Let your way in life be far from her, and come not near the door of her house [avoid the very scenes of temptation],(B)
9Lest you give your honor to others and your years to those without mercy,
10Lest strangers [and false teachings] take their fill of your strength and wealth and your labors go to the house of an alien [from God]–
11And you groan and mourn when your end comes, when your flesh and body are consumed,
12And you say, How I hated instruction and discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
13I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers nor submitted and consented to those who instructed me.
14[The extent and boldness of] my sin involved almost all evil [in the estimation] of the congregation and the community.
15[a]Drink waters out of your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship], and fresh running waters out of your own well.
16Should your offspring be dispersed abroad as water brooks in the streets?
17[Confine yourself to your own wife] let your children be for you alone, and not the children of strangers with you.
18Let your fountain [of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant doe [tender, gentle, attractive]–let her bosom satisfy you at all times, and always be transported with delight in her love.
20Why should you, my son, be infatuated with a loose woman, embrace the bosom of an outsider, and go astray?
21For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord, and He [Who would have us live soberly, chastely, and godly] carefully weighs all man's goings.(C)
22His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked man, and he shall be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of discipline and instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray and be lost.
Meditation:
After you have read through the daily Proverb, close your eyes and reflect on what you have just read. Ask God to reveal His message to you and be still and quiet for a few moments as you listen for His Voice. Go back and re-read verse 1 of the Proverbs a second time. Read it out loud and pause at the end of the first verse. Close your eyes to allow God to speak to you through His words. Focus on your connection to God Almighty and imagine that you are plugged into Him (like an electrical plug in a socket), receiving a charge of His power through this direct connection with Him. Open your mind and heart to hear His words. Pause for at least 10 seconds but more if you feel His words speaking to your heart. Open your eyes and read the second verse. Again, close your eyes, focusing on God and repeating the words you just read in your mind. Be still and quiet as you draw on the charge of His power, through your connection with Him. Continue to pause as you read through each verse. The second reading through these Proverbs will take longer than the first but it is very important that you do not rush. Once you have completed reading the Proverbs for the second time, close your eyes and listen for God's voice to speak to you.
A third reading and meditation on the Proverbs is even more powerful than that first two. In the third reading, read each word even more slowly than before, out loud, really trying to understand what each word means and how it applies to you. Continue to pause at the end of each verse but you may find that in the third reading, you are pausing betweeen the verses or after only a few words are spoken when God will bring revelation to your heart and mind. Continue reading and meditating on His word until you have completed the third reading of the Proverbs. Once you have completed the third reading of the Proverbs, take another moment to close your eyes and ask God to open your heart of understanding so that you may be able to apply this lesson in your life.
Conclude the daily meditation with this prayer, again spoken out loud:
Dear Father in Heaven and earth, Creator of all, Thank you Father God for your words today. May they lift up my heart and spirit, and allow me to be everything you want me to be. May your teaching council me this day and allow me to walk in your love and live the life to be all that you have created me to be. You promise that if I give it all up to you, that you will make my paths straight, so today I choose to surrender it all to you, dear Lord. I Thank you Father for opening the eyes of my heart and soul to hear and understand what lesson it is that you want me to learn from your words today. Continue to speak to me and to show me the wisdom that is contained in your holy words so that I may apply them to my life today, to draw me closer to you and to enrich the lives of others. Lord, fill me with your wisdom and understanding, compassion and love, so that I may be a blessing to others today. Thank you God for the gift of your Son so that I may walk in the light and live a righteous life. In the holy name of Jesus I pray and give thanks to you and all that is good. Amen.
Now go and have yourself a wonderful, blessed day. If you have experienced any revelations from God while reading this or any time throughout your day, you are welcome to share your experiences, your thoughts and your feelings below.
Shalom!
