Scripture:
Proverbs 22:1-5 ESV
[1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold [2] The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. [3] The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. [4] The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. [5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
Observation:
I’m sure in the beginning, Solomon put a lot of thought into how he did things. He wanted to be wise and do the right thing it was his heart’s desire. Asking GOD for wisdom rather than riches was a big deal. He knew that GOD made every one of us and that HE did not draw a line between the rich and the poor to separate them but to draw them together. He wanted to make sure that he gave careful thought to his ways. When he did that, the path would be smooth. I can see now how I should have included the next verse in this SOAP. I believe that David spent time with Solomon training him. Showing him teaching him all the things that we read in Proverbs. Sometimes, by being a good example and on occasion by being a bad one for a minute. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying David was a bad example. What I am saying is that David made mistakes, and that’s how Solomon may have learned about the dangers of adultery. He learned how to give careful thought to his ways and that if he did, GOD would clear his path for him. His desire was integrity.
Application:
I think we would all benefit by thinking about what we do and say before we just do it or say it. Proverbs is a great book to guide us in this. We have the choice to do right or to do wrong, and we have to be careful to make the right choice. Solomon has told us a few times in a few different ways all of our ways seem right to us, but in the end, they lead to death. The question really boils down to what we are chasing after. Are we so caught up with ourselves that we don’t see the snags in the road ahead? If we seek after GOD, HE will show us those snags so we can avoid them altogether. What does it mean to be prudent well… to have a carefully thought-out plan. To see the roadblocks and avoid them. When we let GOD guide our steps through prayer and HIS word, those things will be seen, but when we do things our way without considering what GOD wants, that’s the path to the grave. Now listen, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of dying. I want to live, and the only real way to live is to chase after GOD. I want to give such careful thought to what I do that I will be still for as long as HE wants me to before I move. I don’t want to move without HIS permission, and when I move, I want a carefully thought-out plan.
Prayer:
Father, let us think about each thing we say and do. Let us consider our ways and bring them to you. Let your word be the light to our path. We never want to do something that is not backed up by what you tell us. That, however, leaves us with the responsibility of seeking the answers out in your word. You have already answered every prayer we will ever pray and even told us how to get our prayers answered. Your word is life because your word is your son, and your son gave HIS life so that we could have a life beyond our wildest dreams if we would just submit to you. Here we are, LORD, and guide our path. Lead us to the road you want for us. we submit to what you want. Show us your way. It is in the name of Jesus I pray amen.