Good Morning,

I hope each one of you had a great day of worship, challenge, and spiritual growth yesterday in the Lord's House.  We had a great blessing as a first time visitor responded to the Holy Spirit, and trusted Christ as his Savior.  Praise the Lord!

Overview of Proverbs 2: The second chapter of Proverbs presents a system of thought where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises), utilizing what are if and then outcomes.  Solomon develops how that if his son (and you too) would listen to his wisdom (i.e., from God’s Word), then he would find the blessings of wisdom. Moreover, such godly wisdom will keep a young man (and you too) from the influence of evil people.

Verses 2:1-4 are filled with important directions concerning the wisdom of Solomon.  These are inspired sayings, just as all of Scripture is inspired.  Notice some directions given simply through the verbs found in verses one - four.  Receive my words, hide my commandments, incline thine ear, apply thine heart, criest after knowledge, liftest up thy voice for understanding, seek wisdom as silver, search for wisdom as hid treasure.  "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding: 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;"  We must be serious and disciplined in our study of God's Word.

Notice verse five:  "THEN shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."  Every believer must put forth the effort to grow in the Lord.  Arriving at a place in your life where you understand the fear of the LORD, and you have a grasp of the knowledge of God is invaluable.  It is God who gives wisdom "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints."  (vs. 6-8) 

Flowing from the many "ifs" of this chapter comes the second "then" found in verse nine, "THEN shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path."  When a person opens his heart to receive God's Word and diligently seek for wisdom, God will establish that person on a wholesome path in life.  Verse nine doesn't list every good path, but you will find yourself on every good path when you are serious about following the LORD with your whole heart.  Three of the good paths are listed in verse nine, they are, righteousness, judgment, and equity.  

• Righteousness speaks of that which is right - you learn what is right from the Bible.
• Judgement speaks of the ability to make right choices - God grants you the ability to discern His will and His ways.
• Equity speaks of being fair in your encounters with others.

I trust you will possess the ability to know what is right, decide to do what is right, and be fair in your dealings with others.  Treat them as you would want to be treated.

May God richly bless you as you seek wisdom from His Word and meditate upon these truths throughout the day.  Also, I would appreciate your prayers for the man who trusted Christ yesterday, that he might grow in God's grace.

Your Friend and His,

Pastor Abbott