Proverbs 4:11 “I have taught you the way of wisdom and I have led you in the paths of uprightness”
There are certain places for me that draw me to them. When we were living in the Highlands of Scotland I was drawn to the remote places, the unknown beaches, the lonely lighthouses, ruins of chapels and castles with wisps of history still touching. I had favourite forest walks, where the crunch of old pines and bark underfoot went unheard by anyone other than me. In a small clearing, I would bend my knees, drink in the colours, the smells of sap bubbles busting on the nearby pine trees. Alone with God in intimacy, we would talk.
There were places to go where I would climb a favourite tree and sit for hours astraddle a well-known branch, staring over the rippled loch, loving just being there.
White winter ascents in boots and crampons, ice axe in hand, face numb from the Atlantic breeze. The summit before dawn after 4 am starts. Flask in the pack the remedy for all ails.
Castle ruins on deserted, windblown beaches on milky sky days. Staring out to islands. Dreaming, imagining, longing. I could close my eyes and go back in time to when the castle here was the centre of the world for all who lived here. Cattle grazing, taxes being reluctantly paid, criminals in pear drop caverns through holes in grand hall floors, schemes being considered, and the sea always watched. History spoke to me in the silence.
For each of us, there is that whisper from heaven, “come away with me my lovely”. There is a path to walk on.
KNOWLEDGE
The author is reminding us that what we have has been given to us and is not an integral part of us that we already had – but an inheritance that has been prepared for us. There is a reverberation of this in Mark 1:2-2 [As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”]
Just as God has taken us in as sons, and deliberately and intentionally given all he has to see us established in wisdom, moral purity, and holiness, through the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit led work of progressive sanctification – so can we now give all we have to engage others to come on the same journey.
There is a path that we can choose, we are led by love, to take the path of selflessness, to give all we can to help others. The motivation is that God has taught us, by example, how to live as a servant, to wash others’ feet, to take the lowest position, to touch the untouchable, the mix with the lost and lonely, the broken and the bruised. As we lose our life we truly find it. The lesson has been presented to us, the choice has been prepared for us, the blessing is promised to us.
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 “led” in Hebrew is pronounced “darak” and this word is found 63 times in the Old Testament. In the ESV it is translated into the following English words, come out; treads; trodden; bowmen; bent; trampled; aims; and, guide. I think we pick up on the idea God [through Jesus] has made a way for us, and has bent and trampled every obstacle out of the way.
WISDOM: what does your servanthood look like today?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Developer creates a safe place for people to try, a place where patience and encouragement are the bystanders. As a developer, select where and when to invest in others using your insight and wisdom.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [I have brought you to a place of moral reverence, where you have a way of life that is morally pure in every aspect, and I have trodden a path before you, where you may dwell in an agreeable and pleasing land.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me please to walk on the path you have prepared for me today. Thank you.
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
Hi ps Allan; thx u for God words today.
God bless
Thanks for today’s message Pastor Allan. For the reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus. The solitude and silent moments spent with God is worth more then silver and gold. Priceless.
Love the explanation of “led” and going into a safe and beautiful place. My ” kryptonite” is being afraid of criticism and not wanting to offend others with my opinion and therefore holding back. Anxiety is also my downfall. I have been working on these areas.
The lesson is presented, the choice prepared and the blessing promised…
I love this thought Allan. We need only to open our eyes and our ears, be responsive to what Jesus is leading us to….. and choose wisely, with discernment and obedience. What awaits us is a world where we are blessed to blessing.
We have been taught and led.
What a blessed thought. Thank you. .
We have now to trust and obey. That’s a long and difficult journey.
Our Father has prepared the way for us, through Jesus.
My Kryptonite is not stepping out or acting where needed, for fear of being rebuffed , hence losing a precious moment where I could have used my experience that comes with age.
AUV teaches me that I can walk boldly and without fear, along the path that He has so lovingly cleared for me.
Thank you for this message, Pastor Allan.
Thank you pastor Allan.
The motivation is that God has taught us, by example, how to live as a servant, to wash other’s feet, to take the lowest position, to touch the untouchable, the mix with the lost and lonely, the broken and the bruised. – Very good. We are called to be Christ like and do all these out of genuine love and care as Christ did.
I love your wisdom thought also. Great question for us to reflect on.
Wonderful expansion of Proverb4:11. Thank you especially the part where you stated :
“ There is a path that we can choose…..The motivation is that God has taught us ,by example , how to live as a servant, to wash others feet, to take the lowest position to touch the untouchable, to mix with the lost and lonely, the broken and the bruised. As we lose our life we truly find it. …”
Thank you Ps Allan.
What I’ve learnt at a young age at church was when you serve, serve with a humble heart. When you speak, speak as a humble servant.
Treating everyone equally. Jesus was always humble, always serving quietly.
That’s how I want to live.
I love your wisdom thought Ps Allan. Love This blog on serving like Jesus.
Hi Ps Allan , thank you so much for sharing. God bless you 🙏
Alone conversations with God there is nothing more precious than these intimate moments with Him.
I look forward each day to find quiet places and moments where I can hear and feel his presence .
I m so grateful that we can go to Him ,just as we are .the Times we walk with Him as well as in Times we fail him.
What a privilege .
Thank you Pastor Allan for such beautiful imagery in explaining your special go to places in seeking God!
What an amazing example I have to model my life on in Christ! Jesus has set me up for a win!!He has made it all possible for me to be equipped &anointed with wisdom to follow in His ways of love kindness & servanthood to others if I humbly & earnestly seek His face study His ways & are led by the Holy Spirit. He has overcome every obstacle that I can face & shows me the way giving me the choice to find blessing & total fulfillment in my Christian walk.
Purposing to find those beautiful places to have alone time with Him is so valuable in growing in intimacy with Jesus & falling more in love with Him. Out of this love I can serve Him & help others to find the way of wisdom also.
To walk on paths prepared by God is so reassuring . He prepares me with wisdom and he leads me on right paths. Your version of the proverb Allan is beautiful and brings another perspective of the verse to understand.
Thank you
Pastor Alan, I can really imagine u talking to Jesus on those Cold winter days, not even realise how cold it is but that you just in a trance with Jesus, thinking 🤔 about what he has instore for you, as you are perched branch over looking the Loch 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏾