Proverbs 3:19 “the LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding, he established the heavens”
The principles and practices of our lives are what we build on. In our marriage, a principle is that we have complete honesty at all times and that we proactivity and intentionally make time to do things together that we both enjoy.
When we lived in Scotland and all our kids were at home, Wendy and I would have to really work hard to make time to be alone with each other. Our date night could look like abandoning the house for an hour, getting two coffees at the local Macca’s and then going to the car park by the seaside and chatting there while we had our coffee. We knew we would be going back to some sort of chaos, but the time together was more important.
Sometimes my mum would come and look after the kids for the weekend, so we could get away. We would almost hand her the keys at the door as she arrived so we could get away and drive to our destination, for the weekend. It would often be raining on those evenings. We usually looked for last-minute deals for hotels in the nearest city. The time together was critical, it was so valuable for our marriage that we made space to talk and walk and laugh together, even when it was really difficult to make time for that to happen.
Creating this time together allowed us to work through the challenges of life well, and to grow closer and more intimate as a couple. It was a foundation for us, we knew that if we established time for each other our marriage would flourish, but if we let the busyness of life dictate our actions we would struggle to see the best of what God had for us.
KNOWLEDGE
For the last 5 or 6 verses the writer has been extolling the virtues of wisdom, and for us reading this we see glimpses of Jesus at every turn. There is a new dimension introduced in 3:19, as wisdom is seen in action in God’s hands. God himself has used wisdom to create the earth and the heavens.
Our minds immediately flip over to the Gospel of John Ch 1:1-5 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was at the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The Greek word is “logos”. Jesus of course is the divine Word of God. We catch the throwback connection to Genesis…….”In the beginning……” John is bringing a fresh revelation of Jesus as the living Word of God who was there before and at the beginning, and as God spoke the living Word, the world and all that is in it was made.
So the wisdom of God in action is a picture of his only begotten son, Jesus. Therefore the more we become like Jesus, and the more we have God’s word living in us, then the more wisdom is at work in us, and the more we create around us and others the type of environment that is pleasing to God.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word “founded ” is fascinating. In the original Hebrew, it is pronounced as “yasad” and is used 42 times in the Old Testament. It is translated variously as, foundation; laid; measurements; pile; counsel; given orders; scheme; set; appointed; and destined. Here in verse 19, we see the idea of something being ordained or established.
WISDOM: what words live inside you under pressure, and what sort of world are you making?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Activator creates momentum and progress, take the team with you!
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [Our covenant-keeping, self-existent, personal God, has skill and purity to ordain and establish all the land and nations of the earth. With his insight and knowledge he set up and secured the invisible realm of God.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to know you better at the end of today than I do at the beginning. Thank you.
Scroll down and leave a comment – thank you!…………….
Love that no matter what you guys made time to spend together, so good!
Love that reminder the more we become like Him, the more we are a light to others.
Our God, who created Heaven and earth, has supreme wisdom beyond comparison. His glorious creations, the majesty of mountains, the oceans stand testimony to our Creator.
I thank Him for each fresh new day that He gives me and ask for wisdom to use it the best way I can to help others along the way. With complete trust I ask for guidance before I speak or act.
Thanks Allan, much logos to you 🙂
I am grateful for God’s creation. He created heaven and earth and all that is in it. I am grateful that He knew me even before I came into existence. I am grateful that He chose me, which is beyond my understanding. Thank you Pastor Allan that with each day especially your insights and sharing your walk with God in your life, I come to appreciate who I am now knowing that Christ in me is my strength for all of my tomorrows.
To know the Lord better at the end of the day than I did at the beginning. That’s So beautiful!
“ Therefore the more we become like Jesus, and the more we have God’s word living in us, then the more wisdom is at work in us, and the more we create around us and others the type of environment that is pleasing to God.”
This really spoke to my heart today. To live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. This is so deeply the desire of my heart yet It’s so easy to find ourselves striving to throw off our sinful nature and do right in His eyes. But this is it! Get His; living, active, alive, powerful, life giving word into you. Hide it in your heart and it (wisdom) will be the foundation and a life that pleases the Lord will naturally be the follow on effect. Thank you Pastor Allan. Today has been so encouraging!
So good to be reminded of the principles we have to keep life healthy. Your story sounds so familiar and even now as we approach our 38 year wedding anniversary we still see the importance of together time! Much like our marriage relationship, our relationship with God is helped big time by time aside with Him, be it prayer, the Word, study, etc. it is an investment in my relationship with Him and an investment in myself! I don’t just want to do life, I want to thrive and I know the only way I’m going to be doing so is getting closer to Him and living His will!
Thanks again Pastor Allan for all your daily encouragements!!
What a magnificent earth & heavens God has created for us to enjoy! His splendor beauty & breathtaking works are a glimpse into His limitless wisdom & understanding!! And He so generously offers me to share in receiving some of His wisdom & understanding by seeking to know Jesus & His Word more intimately each day as the Holy Spirit reveals who the Father & Son are & the incredible gift of salvation given to me. This can only change my heart to hear His heart’s cry more clearly in serving in His kingdom & helping others to know Christ.
To be founded in Jesus!
To have a firm foundation in the teachings of Christ,
To be established and unshakable in the not so great times we face in life ,
we need to seek him every day so we remain still and let God into our circumstances.
We learn to lean on him and trust him with every area of our lives .
God is always true in every season
Amen! Thank you pastor Allan for sharing
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!