Heed the counsel of Wisdom

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Monday, August 24, 2009 - I’ve been under conviction lately that I need to seek God’s help and healing as related to impatience, irritability and a judgmental spirit. My intention is to devote thirty-one days to reflection on Proverbs, which provide specific guidance about these are related matters. Texts will be quoted or paraphrased from the Revised Standard version of the Bible—the one I have available at my work station.
Devotions: Proverbs 1

1:7 The fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction….
1:9 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
1:18 [Conniving] men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives.
1:19: [Seeking gain by violent means] takes away the life of its possessors.
1:20-23a : [Wisdom cries out:] “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Heed my reproof….”
1:24-26 [Wisdom continues:] “I have called and you refused to listen, I have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, and you have ignored all my counsel and refused my reproof, so I will laugh at your calamity and mock when panic strikes you.”
1:31 [Those who refuse Wisdom’s counsel] shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices.
1:32-33 The simple are killed by their turning from Wisdom, and the complacence of fools destroys them, while the one who heeds Wisdom will dwell secure, at ease, without dread of evil.