Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Proverbs 24:3, By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

It has often been said that “Knowledge is Power.” According to Proverbs, knowledge can fill “rooms” with many wonderful things, which may be desirable. But knowledge alone is not enough.

Can you imagine a room full of things without a house? How useful would it be to arrange furniture on an empty lot? Knowledge without wisdom and understanding looks like furniture in a field, without a structure or purpose.

Wisdom is the ability to know what to do and where and when to take action. Understanding is knowing the meaning of things. Knowing the "what, where and why" of life must come before simply acquiring material possessions.

Therefore, power is really found in possessing wisdom and understanding!

As always, the Word of God teaches us the best way to live!

Reflection Question: What do you understand after reading the Scripture and this lesson that you did not know before reading it.

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

Proverbs 7:6, While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, 7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house…21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.

Solomon used various methods to communicate the same message of gaining understanding and wisdom. Chapter Seven uses a first person narrative to describe someone he saw out of his window. He says, "I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense."

What made this young man naive? The definition of naive is, “showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.” He also lacked common sense. Why did Solomon regard this young man in this manner? This young man was walking down a path that led past the dwelling of a well known immoral woman. This is called “The Path Principle,” a term I first read in a book by Pastor Andy Stanley.

Your path determines your destination. Your intentions and wishes do not determine your destination more than the path that has been chosen. The young man in the story did not know his day would end in sin and destruction because he was seemingly unaware of where his path led.

The message of the story is to recognize the necessity of choosing our paths well. For example, hanging out with people who are up to no good is not just “hanging out,” it's a path! Spending time studying the Bible is not just reading. It's a path. Again, since every path has a destination, experiencing prosperity God's way begins with understanding our activities as paths leading to good or bad outcomes.

Reflection Question: What “good intentions” have you mistaken for a good path? What path (s) are you actually on?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

Proverbs 11:24-25, There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Giving and generosity have always been a part of prospering God's way. This is another action that seems illogical: As we scatter our seed, God causes us to increase. If we withhold too much, it leads to decrease. Giving to the Lord does not cause lack, and failing to give does not help one prosper.

Most everything that relates to living involves the principles or cycles of sowing and reaping.

Genesis 8:22, (NKJV), While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease.

There is a principle working in the earth called "Seedtime and harvest." This can be understood as, 1) Seed, 2) Time, 3) Harvest. The Scripture also indicates that life has cycles and seasons. When give of our three “T’s” (Time, Treasure, & Talents), its like putting good seed into good soil. After a period of time, we can expect a harvest.

I have witnessed the benefits of this promise for my whole Christian life, over and over again, “...He who waters will also be watered himself.”

We should not be focused on clinging to what we have (which God gave us) or finding a way to get something from others. We should be more focused on “watering” or nourishing and refreshing others. This habit and lifestyle leads to tremendous blessing at all levels of life.

Reflection Question: What is the status of your giving of Time, Treasure and Talents? Are you giving all three to the Lord?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

Proverbs 9:7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Wisdom and understanding are most appreciated by those who embrace it. People who mock the things of God will likely not accept correction. Such persons need prayer and the saving message of the Gospel of Christ. We would like to think that we can help or “cure” anyone. But the fact remains that the Holy Spirit must help a person become receptive—something the Lord is quite expert at doing!

Wisdom is a virtue best shared among believers in Christ. The “righteous” are people who will honor God and rejoice in His ways. According to Ephesians 4:15-16, the body of Christ “edifies itself” in love. That is, we build each other up, not for selfish reasons, but to become more effective as a community and in reaching our generation for the Kingdom of God.

Verse nine says, "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom." Foundations are vitally important to buildings, especially tall ones. Laying a good foundation is the beginning to any successful building project. The "building project"of our lives requires understanding and living out the principle of the fear of the Lord. I define the fear of the Lord as "A deep desire to please and never displease the Lord."

On the firm foundation of godly fear comes "good judgment" (to make wise decisions and choices), long life, and other benefits as God's purpose for our lives may determine.

Reflection Question: In what way(s) can you honor God and value His wisdom?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

Proverbs 10:24, The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.

Fear and hope are strangely related. A lot of the negative things that happen to people are often attributed to fate, to the devil, to other people, and even to God.

While there is certainly no such thing as “mind over matter,” there is the reality of “mind over self.”

Hopes and fears move us to action both extrinsically (outward) and intrinsically (inward). Hope and fear also motivate us consciously and unconsciously.

Hope and fear are related because both are based in expectation. Hope expectsa good outcome. Fear expectsdanger and harm. People who live in fear will take unusual measures to guard against imagined threats and dangers. People who have hope will take measures to secure their dreams and bring to pass what they see in their hearts and minds.

Our Scripture text refers to the fears of the “wicked.” Is it possible for the godly to have fear? The answer is yes, and the godly won’t experience better outcomes if operating in fear.

We should only focus on the hopes that God wants to grant to the godly. So trust Him and live a godly life through Christ.

Reflection Question:What are 1-3 hopes you expect to be granted?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight: