Proverbs 4:5 “get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth”
When I lived in Edinburgh, I was passionate about running around the hill called Arthur’s Seat. I would go every day if I could, regardless of the weather. The first time I tried it, I went at night and got completely lost. It was a really poor experience and when I eventually got back home the last thing I wanted to do was to try that again.
Local legend has it that the hill is named after King Arthur, and I loved that idea. More likely though it’s from the Gaelic name Ard-thir Suidhe (place on the high ground).
I did try again, and am so glad that a poor experience did not rob me of years of joy.
It was my place to get perspective on life. I felt like it was my own private and special place at times. I wandered and ran over every part, tried every route, enjoyed every view.
I went with friends and we shared the experience. We ran hard working the hills at times, and we jogged enjoying the craic at other times.
In the episodes of life when my life was a mess, when addictions and habits threatened to overrule my sanity, it was a safe place. To go running, to stabilise my internal conversation. I found peace and clarity in the simplicity of being in the hills and running. Life made sense and I think, to be honest, that’s where my questions about a higher power seemed to gain a foothold or at least a toehold in an answer.
KNOWLEDGE
The call is an echo of previous calls in Proverbs, a reminder that there is an onus on us to own us, to own our decisions, our commitments and our choices. There are no shifting sands here, this is a stable place where something powerful, significant and humble can be constructed one day at a time. Lean in……listen……the whisper of God will unlock the secrets of life, the destiny of purpose and the gateway to fulfilment. Every single thing God has for you has great value, don’t allow the busyness of life to distract you, the cares to dissuade you, or the hard places to disappoint you. Life in abundance is there for the pushing in to. You can see what has previously been unseen, you can remember the presence of God, the promises of God, the provision of God and the peace of God.
Life is your choice to make – choose to be chosen, be deliberate, be intentional, be committed for the long haul.
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?
Let’s not forget the word “forget”, in the Hebrew language it is pronounced as “kasah” and this word appears 100 times in the Old Testament. It’s translated in the ESV, into English words such as, forget, and forgotten. Here in our verse, verse five, the literal meaning of becoming lame or crippled is applied to our thinking.
WISDOM: what are you most intentional about in your day to day life?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: intellection invests so it can answer the difficult questions when they come. Be careful not to lose yourself or others on the journey.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [go after learning, good sense and skill in everything, look to understand perfectly and develop discernment. Do not become oblivious, or turn aside from the declarations that are God’s literal and figurative speech.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to continue to still my heart before you, to allow you first place, first words, and first access, in all I am.
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
TGIF -Today God is First.
We must choose to put God first in everything , everyday , every time , every where.
When we are busy and time poor or weary them all the more reason to allocate time to be still with God.
Thank you ps. Allan. So beautiful indeed. You found the place to go running, to stabilise internal conversation and you find peace and the simplicity of being in the hills and running.
Reminded me of myself in my high school years when I had a hobby of hiking and climbing mountains in my break/term holiday with my school friends. Whenever I reached the top of the mountain, I felt very close to the Lord and simply I said thank you Lord. That feeling of the intimacy of the conversation with my Lord and it was just simply feeling of reaching the place of our Most High. Thank you again for this story that brought me back to those years and the experience of having abundant peace and closeness with my Lord at the top of the mountain. Thank you to Jesus who gave me the opportunity to experience all of those. Amen
Allan, I find these little vignettes of your life truly fascinating. And finding out more of your story provides new context and perspective on the conversations we had last year. Seeing how God turned your life around and shaped you is inspiring, and gives credence to the promise that He can use *everything* for our good and His glory.
Thanks Pastor Allan, today’s message is just what I need today. I feel it to be a pep talk for me to have insight and be discerning in the things that I do. Over the years I’ve been too impulsive in my spending. I would love a double portion of discernment and wisdom when it comes to my finances.
Hi Ps Allan; thx u for God words; wisdom is one of the God teaching words ; the problem is went we forget learning and practical; is present action in our quality the Christian journey.
Thx u
Thank you Pastor Allan!
This verse is another exhortation to remain focused on the Lord – He is drumming it into me so I don’t forget that life will be difficult at times but to hold fast with discipline to remain committed & deliberate in trusting & being faithful to God Who will never fail or disappoint me. The more I press into Him & obey His Word the richer my life will become in so many ways. He is more than enough & more than anything I will ever need or want so putting Him first place in every aspect of your life is absolute wisdom. If I hunger & thirst after the Lord I will be fully satisfied with fresh manna from heaven to do my Christian journey well. It’s a never ending quest to gain Godly wisdom to get knowledge & understanding & so worth diligently pursuing never allowing lethargy & becoming disheartened to creep in. His words are a precious gift to me & of great comfort not just in my times of need but on a daily basis to keep me strong faithful & committed to His ways. The world has little to offer me compared to God for He is the only One Who can truly satisfy me.
Thank you for the great reminder of leaning in and hearing His whisper, even in the busyness of life. To keep Jesus at the centre and not become distracted when disapointments come, keep our eyes on Him and His word.
Love – be intentional, be commited!
Thank you Ps Allan for encouraging.
What a great reminder that every single thing God has for us has great value, don’t allow the busyness of life to distract us.
I really love your strength thought Ps Allan.
I love this challenge as well and this great wisdom – what are you most intentional about in your day to day life?
What am I most intentional in my daily life ?
To start my day with Jesus,and let him Lead me in His path that day.
I would find moments of the day to talk to him and share with him my deepest thoughts and dreams.
I would try to live according to his teachings and make choices to live true to him .
To honour him with everything I do.
Pastor Alan, you can hear I your voice the joy and peace you get from running and the connection you have with our Heavenly Father, sooooo Good👍🏾