Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” ~ Proverbs 9:8-12
Whether we are intellectuals or not, we all, in our own way, want answers about this world. We’d like to know what to do with the fear that grips our hearts when we think about what might happen next. We’d like to know what to do when our hearts cry out for the love of God but we feel nothing but emptiness inside. We’d like to know what to do when the burdens of life seem so heavy.
Here’s the solution: gain a better understanding of exactly who Jesus is and what he’s done. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Jesus Christ was sent by God to keep you from suffering for the foolishness that marks your life, the sin that blackens your heart, and the anxiety that fills your day. If you spend time getting to know Jesus, you’ll stand in awe of the price he was willing to pay for your salvation. Pause there for a moment. Don’t pass over that sentence without letting the thought sink in: Jesus paid for your salvation. Completely. Perfectly. Willingly.
There’s more to life than just this life—please don’t lose sight of that fact. Knowing Jesus provides you with wisdom that all the books in the world couldn’t contain. Think about those things that trouble you, then look to Jesus and let him provide you with the answers and the peace you so desperately need.
Prayer:Lord Jesus, your salvation means I have nothing to fear in this life or the next. Help me to apply that truth to all the anxieties of life. Amen.
Living Hope Church 