Wisdom is the saw we use to cut through life. One of the best ways to sharpen your saw is to spend regular time in the book of Proverbs. Over time, Proverbs will become a part of your thought process.
I encourage our congregation that for the rest of their lives, they should have a discipline of reading the day’s chapter of Proverbs. Today is the 29th, so read the 29th chapter.
Don’t be legalistic about it. It doesn’t need to be every day. But maybe 3-5 times a week read a chapter and write at the top of that chapter in your bible the month and year. So today I would write 3/11.
You don’t have to spend extended time doing this, but make a point to let at least one Proverb sink in. Write a note paraphrasing it next to the Proverb. Read it aloud. Tell someone about it.
On the 29th, you might consider Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trust in the LORD is safe.”
All of us struggle at points being more concerned with what people think than with what God thinks. What does it look like in your world to fear people?
- Maybe for a teenager it looks like being too fashion conscious, too concerned about what others think about your look.
- For a parent, it might mean allowing your teen to do something which is against your better judgment because you don’t want to have friction at home. (See this post on parenting).
- For a pastor it might mean an unwillingness to preach the Word. But, it also mean an unwillingness to take time off with your family because you are afraid of what other people would say.
I think this is an excellent idea to do as part of one’s devotional life. It is a good spiritual habit to get into. I have found numerous time that what I am reading that day in Proverbs, the Lord has used to speak to me about something going on in my life.
Excellent counsel!