Reflect
Monday: Read Proverbs 8:1-11
On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud.
O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools learn sense.
Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right
All my words are righteousness; they are all straight to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
Will you spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal if you are treasuring the wrong things?
Tuesday: Read Proverbs 7:6-23
The woman foolishness has perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near hercorner.
And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart, loud and wayward, her feet do not stay home.
She lies in wait in the street, the market, at every corner. She seizes him and kisses him, and with a bold face, she says to him, I had to offer sacrifices, paid my vows, and now have come to meet you, to see you eagerly.
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; delight ourselves with love; my husband has gone on a long journey.
With much seductive speech, she persuades him; with smooth talk, she compels him.
He follows her all at once, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a stag is caught fast, an arrow pierces its liver, and a bird rushes into a snare. He does not know it will cost him his life.
Will you choose wisdom over foolishness? Foolishness will cost you your life. Meditate on the imagery of verses 22-23. It is not just one image we are given.
Wednesday: Read Mathew 1:18-25
Mary was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Joseph resolved to divorce her quietly.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
All of this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means God with us).
Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
God gave us Jesus, Immanuel; God is with us. God gave us literal wisdom. Will you meditate on the gift God gave us?
Thursday: Read Proverbs 8:27-36
When He established the heavens, I was there; when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He made firm the skies above, when He established fountains of the deep, when He assigned the sea its limit so that the waters might not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth, I was beside Him like a master workman, I was daily his delight, rejoicing before Him always, rejoicing in His inhabited world, delighting in the children of man.
And now, O sons, listen to Me: blessed are those who keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, do not neglect it.
Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting beside My doors. Whoever finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. But he who fails to find Me injures himself; all who hate Me love death.
Will you meditate on the ways of Jesus? Jesus was beside God like a master workman, daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always. Blessed are those who keep the ways of Jesus; Blessed are those who listen to Jesus, watching daily at His gates. Will you read scripture through the lens of an invitation to live wisely, not through the frame of right or wrong?
Friday: Read Romans 15:1-7
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, not to please ourselves.
Christ did not please Himself.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.
That you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Will you spend time in prayer, asking God to make you wise? Will you ask Him to empower you to live a life not pleasing yourself but to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Jesus Christ, for the purpose of glorifying our glorious Heavenly Father?
