Tag Archives: wisdom

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 16:25, NLT)

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” 

How many times have we heard (or even spoken) those words?  

Maybe we didn’t know any better. Or, maybe we knew the possible consequences of the short-cut we had chosen, but proceeded anyway thinking that no one would notice — or care.

Proverbs tells us that some decisions — even apparent “sure-fire” decisions — lead to death.  Death comes to childhood dreams because of adolescent indiscretions.  Death overtakes the prospects of a bright career because of poor choices during the young worker’s “salad days.” One dies spiritually when he or she trades a season of prosperity for an eternity of poverty.

There, however, is wisdom on this path: Obedience to God’s word leads to life.  – Luther

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“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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“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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