Prov 8:28 [ESV] when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
I remember going pot-holing years ago. If you don’t recognise that term, then it’s a colloquialism used in UK for caving. We waded through caves where we were neck deep in chilly flowing water, we abseiled down underground waterfalls with stalagmites and stalactites glistening in the roof and walls all around us. We entered caves where the roof was beyond our flashlight, looked down into sumps that seemed to fall into the abyss, and crawled along channels where our back touched the ceiling and we got wedged stuck a few times. I saw pitch blackness up close, and I felt fear in a personal way.
When we spilled out into the sunlight, shivering, soaked, and exhausted, I felt such a joy to be again on the surface and to experience light and warmth. Something a few hours earlier I had taken for granted.
KNOWLEDGE – God has a way of drawing out of darkness and secrecy things that then he makes beautiful and safe. The writer here uses the idea of the waters being drawn out of the deep, where they seem unknown, deep, and even risky. But now here they are in the light, to be seen, understood, and to be a blessing to others. We can see where they are risky and where they are safe, we can harness their energy for good and for life. This things above us are brought into focus and made firm, and those things below us are brought into the light and made safe. And while this is true in its most simplistic and obvious form, there is perhaps a layer of depth here, as we consider how God works in the same way in our lives as he works in nature.
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 used for “established” is pronounced as ” ‘azaz ‘ in the Hebrew, and carries the meanings “to be strong; to overpower; to put on a bold face or be brazen; to prevail, and to strongly establish”.
The LXX chooses the word ασφαλείς [asphaleis] – “safe”, which appears five times in the New Testament, translated as “the facts; for certain; definite; a safeguard; and sure”.
WISDOM
How can you lend your talents and gifts to others in such a way as blesses them, and honours God?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Developer as a Gallup Strength is committed to others progress, to invest, to bring patience, and a soft landing. Remember that everyone has room for growth, not just those struggling.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – when he established and strengthened the clouds and the skies in the beyond, when he emboldened and strengthened the springs from the valleys and the hills from out of secrecy and depths
When he made firm – when he established and strengthened
the skies – the clouds and the skies
above – in the beyond
when he established – when he emboldened and strengthened
the fountains – the springs from the valleys and hills
of the deep – from out of secrecy and depths
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to take time to understand your works, and your ways today.
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