God's Wisdom - Revised Common Lectionary Readings
Daily Readings: Psalm 148 (God’s splendor is over earth and heaven); Proverbs 1:1-7 (Grow in wisdom and knowledge); James 3:13-18 (The wisdom from above) (New International Version)
Reflections: As we start the new year, it is good to think about how we will make wise decisions in 2015. Psalm 148 gives us an idea of the majesty of The Lord and how heaven and earth praise God by their very nature. We praise The Lord by giving him awe and respect. This is a good transition to the first Proverb, which is written by King Solomon, the wisest king to ever walk in this world. In Proverbs 1:7 he states, "The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom". If we are going to make good decisions it starts by first going to the Lord in reverence and fear. Finally James, always the practical one, shows us that wisdom is known by her deeds. God's wisdom leads to deeds done in humility, consideration and always seeks peace before self interest. He contrasts this with earthly wisdom, which is characterized by selfish ambition, from which all sorts of calamity and disorder ensue. A good question to ask ourselves as we begin a new year is how will we make decisions? Will they driven by the fear of The Lord and godly wisdom? Or will we selfishly pursue ambition through man's wisdom? I believe the results will be strikingly different.
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise The Lord.
Proverbs 1:1-7
Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom.
James 3:13-18
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
New International Version (NIV)
Reflections: As we start the new year, it is good to think about how we will make wise decisions in 2015. Psalm 148 gives us an idea of the majesty of The Lord and how heaven and earth praise God by their very nature. We praise The Lord by giving him awe and respect. This is a good transition to the first Proverb, which is written by King Solomon, the wisest king to ever walk in this world. In Proverbs 1:7 he states, "The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom". If we are going to make good decisions it starts by first going to the Lord in reverence and fear. Finally James, always the practical one, shows us that wisdom is known by her deeds. God's wisdom leads to deeds done in humility, consideration and always seeks peace before self interest. He contrasts this with earthly wisdom, which is characterized by selfish ambition, from which all sorts of calamity and disorder ensue. A good question to ask ourselves as we begin a new year is how will we make decisions? Will they driven by the fear of The Lord and godly wisdom? Or will we selfishly pursue ambition through man's wisdom? I believe the results will be strikingly different.
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise The Lord.
Proverbs 1:1-7
Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom.
James 3:13-18
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
New International Version (NIV)
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