Read the Instructions! (Proverbs 9:10-12)

“I’ll figure it out!”

How many men have spoken just these types of words when faced with a project whose completion might actually result in reaching for an instruction manual?  It’s the kind of thing we men seldom admit, but there are actually times “I’ll figure it out” is a prelude to the complete and total rendering of said device or project as useless and hopelessly broken.

But how often we—men and women—attempt to go through life the same way: figuring it out without consulting the instruction manual.  Instructions?  Who needs instructions, right?

We read in Proverbs 9:10-12:

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

¹¹ For through wisdom your days will be many,

and years will be added to your life.

¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;

if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

This is why I love the Proverbs: they are straightforward and undeniable.  When we go through our lives as believers in Christ without consulting the manual, we are performing a prelude to the complete and total rendering of our lives as useless for the ultimate cause of the Kingdom.

We don’t have to grope through the darkness trying to figure it out.  God has shown us how to live.  He has illuminated the path of blessing.  Our realization of Who He is the foundation of our wisdom.  Our comprehension of the storms of this life is an intimate awareness of our Lord.

As Christ continues to remake us into His image, we draw on His wisdom and understanding so the world doesn’t see us as bumbling idiots, but as those possessing, and having access to, the wisdom of God.

Jesus sends us “…out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).