Tag Archives: wisdom

June 19
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Uncategorized Aside

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, KJV 2000)

It isn’t just cartons of milk that bear an expiration date.  We, too, have a fixed number of days. 

It is foolish to live — especially in the face of daily evidence to the contrary — as if we shall never die. Failing either to number our days — or to act as if our days are numbered — means that we are not truly ready to live, because we are not yet ready to die.

Consider the proverb: “A wise man gives what he cannot keep; to gain what he cannot lose.” Redeem the time.  – Luther

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May 20
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“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:30, NIV)

A reality check: God is all-powerful.

By our own estimation, we do so many things well; and we begin to think that that is the end of it.  However, when we take God into account, things change. 

Proverbs reminds us that our wisdom is no match for God; our insight is not match for God; and all of our plans are no match for God. 

We do best to follow His wisdom, knowledge, and planning, lest we come to the end of our course and find embarrassment — rather than accolades — as our reward.  

Commit your days and your ways to the Lord, and He will guard your path.  – Luther 

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April 1
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“The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails — given by one shepherd.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11, TNIV)

Today is April Fool’s Day, but every day has the potential to be the fool’s day.  Such days are when fiction is more appealing than fact; and where style trumps substance.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that wisdom may come to us as a “goad” — which is a sharp stick used to drive cattle.  But, Lord knows, most of us need prodding to get us to do the wise thing precisely because, to our nature, sizzling fiction is often more appealing than boring fact; and because we live in a time when style attracts more attention than substance. 

Be assured that living according to the wisdom of the Good Shepherd will help us to prevail in all of life’s tests and trials.  – Luther

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