Proverbs 8:1-3:
1 DOES NOT skillful and godly Wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, stands Wisdom [skillful and godly]. 3 At the gates at the entrance of the town, at the coming in at the doors, she cries out:
We all know just how loud the voice of the world has become! But according to the Word of God, which IS Truth (John 17:17), Wisdom is LOUDER! The problem is that there is always a CHOICE! Which voice will we listen to today? Verses 8-11:
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them. 9 They are plain to him who understands [and opens his heart], and right to those who find knowledge [and live by it]. 10 Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Wisdom is plain to those who CHOOSE to open their hearts to it! Need Wisdom? Ask HIM to make it plain to you. You can be assured that He will (James 1:5)!
John 18:36-37:
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source]. 37 Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King, [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.
Jesus declared exactly Who He was to Pilate! In verse 38 Pilate asks the right question: "What is Truth"?, but then he leaves without waiting for the Answer! It takes time in the presence of God to hear and understand the answers to the questions we have. TAKE the time! Then pray for those whom you minster to that their hearts and minds will be open to the Truth. As we saw in the Proverb above, the voice of Wisdom is loud, but the choice must be made to really listen in order for the understanding to come!
Here are some pictures of the remains of the house of Caiaphas from our Israel trip. This is where Jesus was taken first.
The top of the hole where Jesus would have been lowered into a pit.
The hole from inside of the pit.
One of the holding areas in the lower parts of the house.
2 Samuel 3:9-10:
9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him, 10 To transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set the throne of David over ISrael and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.
My question is this: If Abner knew, and this shows that he did, that the LORD had ordained David as King of all Israel, why did he not support David from the beginning? If he had, maybe he would not have lost his life in such a manner? We will never know that, but it seems logical to me! Don't just follow God's plans when it suits you! Get in line with HIS will from the beginning and walk in the blessings that obedience brings! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
