Wisdom From the ProverbsSample

Proverbs 14

You probably won't know this, but I studied Biology at University -- three whole years of studying plants, animals, the human body and brain, gosh, we covered a lot.

I came out of that time with a great grade and a whole raft of knowledge and skills. But, interestingly, with a deeper sense of wonder about everything created around us.

For some, science feels like the enemy of faith. But I spent those years looking at the complexity of life at a cellular, systemic and even global level and only grew in wonder at what the Lord did when he breathed life into all He had created.

Because there are things that science can't entirely explain, and of course, there are things that we think we completely understand that perhaps one week or ten years down the line, a new discovery will show us -- in fact -- to be false.

The verses I want to focus on today lift the lid on some of those deeper mysteries. The way that our soul is intrinsically linked to our body and what we think about, dwell on, and even speak out about can have a profound effect on the physical reality we find ourselves in. Especially when we allow that God-breathed Spirit within us to guide our steps towards wisdom.

You may have heard it said that 'Comparison is the thief of joy'. It really is. Noting what others have and ranking yourself against them either positively or negatively sets your heart up for a fall. Either you will be proud of all you have, but risk grief when it inevitably disappears or ages. Or you will never be satisfied with what you have in the moment. Verse 30 says it like this,

'A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.'

There can be things like this going on inside us that nobody knows. Nobody sees. Verses 10 and 13 say,

'Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share in its joy' and ‘Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.'

Can I encourage you today, as you continue your journey through the Proverbs, that the Lord sees your innermost being and is with you when your soul is in turmoil? As you grasp the wisdom of these verses each day and choose to walk them out in your life, those choices, away from folly and embracing wisdom, will help bring peace in your innermost being.

As you walk in the ways of the Lord, you will find rest. Even when nobody knows the pain you're feeling inside, He who made you understands you more deeply than any scientist or analyst ever could. He has gifted you these words, these verses, to help and guide every part of you towards peace that passes all understanding. Step into His arms today as you embrace wisdom.