November 1, 2020

This Sunday, Proverbs 4 will exhort us to “guard wisdom.”

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13)

But it also tells us wisdom “will guard you.”

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.” (Proverbs 4:6)

So who’s guarding whom? Well, both. But not equally. The God, whose wisdom will actively guard and keep us, initiates by revealing his wisdom to us and pleading with us to lay hold of it and never let it go. Our guarding is secondary, it is laying hold of God’s wisdom by faith, by trusting it (which is trusting Him).

I was reminded of the same dynamic in Paul’s words to Timothy.

“I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:12–14)

We’ve been given the same good deposit, Grace. God has spoken to us by His Son. He alone has “the words of eternal life (John 6:68).” Where else shall we go?

This Sunday Erik Thoennes will be preaching Proverbs 4 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And find a quiet place to sit and read and reflect a bit on this chapter in anticipation of hearing Erik’s message this week.

And let’s ask the Lord to make us vigilant for ourselves and for one another. Like Paul urged the elders of the Ephesian church, we can pray, “Lord, help us pay careful attention to ourselves and to all the flock.”

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

Song Link of the Week
Have Faith by Walt Harrah
Hold on to God who’s holding onto you
Be strong in the grace that God is giving you