Be Humble or I’ll Stumble

In review of Proverbs 15:33 it reminds me that “Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself. You must be humble before you can ever receive honors.”(GNT)

I need to show respect to the Lord always. If I do, I'll be learning and doing the wise thing, I must be humble before I can ever receive honors.

A wise person will remain humble. Humility and teachability go together. I need to be humble or I’ll stumble.

Humility starts with realizing I’m not God. Whenever I get stressed, I can repeat this to myself: “God is God, and I’m not. God is God, and I’m not. God is God, and I’m not.”

That’s humility. Those who aren’t humble think they’re God or have ultimate control.

In another verse from the book of James, it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 HCSB).

In my goal of becoming wiser, I need to get to know God. When I do, I’ll be wiser in building relationships, managing money, handling conflict, diffusing problems, and dealing with all kinds of other challenges in life.

Another translation says, “Fear-of-GOD is a school in skilled living—first you learn humility, then you experience glory” (Proverbs 15:33 The Message).

Humility says I can learn from anyone. I don’t know it all. No one does! This is why I need to remain teachable, humble, and a lifelong learner.

In summary, reverence for the Lord is an education in itself and I must be humble before I can ever expect to receive honor. So show respect to the Lord always. A wise person will remain humble. Humility and teach-ability go together. I need to be humble or I’ll stumble. Humility starts with realizing I’m not God. For "God is God, and I’m not". That’s humility. Those who don't, think they’re God or have ultimate control. God will resist the proud, but he will give grace to those who are humble. So get to know God. When I do, I’ll be wiser in building relationships, managing money, handling conflict, diffusing problems, and dealing with all kinds of other challenges. True humility says I can learn from anyone. I don’t know it all.

Father, I pray this morning that with help from the Holy Spirit that I’m reminded in all situations I face that, “you are God, and I am not.” I know you have so much to teach me, If I’ll only learn to practice humility aways in my thoughts and conduct. I pray for wisdom for how to handle my reporting relationship and changes at work. Help me to realize when I’m going off the rails, especially before I open my mouth and speak to others. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, for my work, for my leadership and for my interactions with others. These things I ask through your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

Wisdom Starts With Taking God Seriously

In review of Proverbs 9:10 it says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Bottom Line:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of God results in good judgment.

What this means to me:

If I am to exercise wisdom I must first have reverence for the Lord and take Him seriously. When I do, I open to learning and having knowledge of Him. With this I gain understanding.

Today's verse comes from Proverbs 9 (wisdom and folly.) What I’m learning is that wisdom appeals first to the mind; Folly appeals to the senses. It is easier to excite the senses, but the pleasures of folly are temporary. By contrast, the satisfaction that Wisdom brings lasts forever. Wisdom begins with knowing God. He gives insight into living because he created life. To know God is not just to know the facts about him; we must stand in awe of him and have a relationship with him.

So would I like divine guidance so accurate that I could make decisions with the wisdom of Solomon? Decisions that would cause the prosperity of God to explode in all I do?  Would I like guidance from God that produces peace of mind, self-confidence, divine health, and joy unspeakable?  Would I like to reach my highest potential?

Scripture reveals that this is very easy to have right now. It’s not something I must wait to gain after entering the pearly gates. Today is the day to start gaining divine wisdom, and it’s much easier than I think.

I’m finding that God wants me to have a life without limit! All I need to do is begin to seek His face. I then saturate my life with His Holy Word, knowing He can guide me.