This is part of a series, studying the book of Proverbs during the month of July, 2011. For more details click here.
Theme
I have one sister named Jenn who is a year and a half younger than me. Growing up, I was always the child struggling with school - couldn't focus in class, struggling to focus on my schoolwork, somehow forgetting homework that was due until mere minutes before the class bell rang. Jenn, however, was the exact opposite. She was diligent, prepared, focused, and determined - in fact she actually skipped a year because she excelled in her classes.
I used to say she was book smart, but I had common sense. I reasoned that, even though she understood geometry and biology, I was better prepared for life because I somehow knew how to handle myself in the real world. In retrospect, saying I had more common sense was really a wussy way of admitting that she was just smarter than me. But a teenage guy will reason just about anything with himself to avoid letting his sister be better at something.
Chapter 12 is a passage of straight-up common sense. Anyone can learn valuable life lessons from these verses. My friend Nancy commented that Chapter 11 contains so many little nuggets of wisdom, that a single day could be spent developing each of the 31 verses. That's exactly how I feel about this chapter too. There's no real theme, other than the randomness of the instruction on how to live a life pleasing to Him.
I used to say she was book smart, but I had common sense. I reasoned that, even though she understood geometry and biology, I was better prepared for life because I somehow knew how to handle myself in the real world. In retrospect, saying I had more common sense was really a wussy way of admitting that she was just smarter than me. But a teenage guy will reason just about anything with himself to avoid letting his sister be better at something.
Chapter 12 is a passage of straight-up common sense. Anyone can learn valuable life lessons from these verses. My friend Nancy commented that Chapter 11 contains so many little nuggets of wisdom, that a single day could be spent developing each of the 31 verses. That's exactly how I feel about this chapter too. There's no real theme, other than the randomness of the instruction on how to live a life pleasing to Him.
So many times, we try to complicate life with too many uneccesary burdens, most often which are brought on by ourselves. In this chapter, I hear a call to simplicity, a call to remove the things that get in the way of our worship, a call to slow down and use common sense. Simplicity and humility go hand in hand. Then, and only then, will we truly understand and hear from our Father.
Key Verses For Me
Proverbs 12:9 - Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
Quote
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo da Vinci
“Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.” - D.H. Mondfleur
“Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.” - D.H. Mondfleur
Related Scriptures
2 Corinthians 1:12 - We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
Psalm 119:130 - The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.
Psalm 119:130 - The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.
Prayer
Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for this new day You've so graciously given to each of us. I pray that we will each take a moment to slow down, to pause, and tomeditate on Your words so that we can live a life more pleasing to you. Let Your wisdom shine down on us clearly, so that the decisions we make are obviously what You desire from us. Thank You for all You have done, are doing, and are yet to do.
So what verse(s) stick out to you and why?