Daily Devotional for June 28, 2007

Proverbs 8
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)

Imagine the depth of God’s wisdom as He created the universe! In every detail of creation, God used His wisdom… AND… He instilled His creatures with wisdom, as well. In animals, we call it instinct… and their instincts protect them from trouble, enable them to find food and shelter, and to survive. Occasionally, we will see an animal act unwisely… think of a dog who chases a car or a cat who thinks she can jump from the table to the counter and doesn’t gauge the distance correctly, or the bunny rabbit that can’t outrun the coyote and becomes his dinner! But for the most part, their God-given wisdom enables them to move about and live a life of blessings and comfort.

We have choices to make, too. And based on how well we have “hearkened” to God’s influence and instruction… His gift of Wisdom in our lives… we are either blessed and obtaining His favor, or we are signing our eternal death sentence, and sentencing ourselves to an earthly life of heartache, difficulty, and one mess after another. God has given us everything we need to make the right choices… the WISE choices… it is up to us to exercise our free will and accept His gift. Where do you stand… are you at God’s gates, waiting at the posts of His doors?

©2007 Debbie Robus