Tag: wisdom

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Watch what you say

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Ecclesiastes 10.

“A little bird told me…”

“The walls have ears…”

These little truths warn me to be careful what I say, even if I think I’m alone. I’ve been told that my voice carries. You never know who’s listening.

These truths come from scripture:

“Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20).

Our best efforts at privacy fail. Phone cameras capture every moment of our lives. Security cameras watch intersections, self-checkout lanes, and gas pumps. I can’t even talk to my dog. A sign at the veterinarian alerts me that conversations are being recorded.

When someone speaks negatively about a person I’ve never met, it affects the way I interact with that person when I do meet them. That’s unfair.

And if I speak negatively about someone, even to myself, that attitude shows up in my conversations about them. They’ll know.

Word gets out, one way or the other.

Is there any solution? Sure. Think and speak positively. Put the best construction on everything. Give that person the benefit of the doubt. Use words that build up rather than tear down. Focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Finding Sweet Sleep: Biblical Wisdom from Proverbs 3

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Shane on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Proverbs 3.

There is no shortage of advice on how to get a good night’s sleep. No screens an hour before bedtime. No eating or drinking a couple hours before. No caffeine after lunch. An evening workout. A warm bath. A good book. A cool room. A comfortable bed, pillow, and sheets.

Benedryl, melatonin, Ambien, Sominex, warm milk, almonds, high-carb snack.

Those are just the ones I’ve recently heard. I’m sure there are many more.

I came across this one in the bible:

If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:23)

Sounds good. What is the secret to that sweet sleep?

It starts a few verses earlier, in the encouragement to find wisdom and understanding.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding (Proverbs 3:13).

The writer isn’t talking about any wisdom and understanding, but that which comes from trusting God, leaning on God, fearing God, honoring God, and following his ways.

My son, do not lose sight of these—
    keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck (Proverbs 3:21,22).

Then you will walk on your way securely,
    and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:23,24).

A life rooted and built up in Christ, a faith firmly established in him, full of gratitude is safe and secure. You can rest easy and sleep well because you know he’s taking care of you.

I think it’s interesting that sleep has a spiritual as well as a physical dimension. It’s as much about resting your soul as it is getting rest for your body. In the bible, a soul thirsts, hungers, gets weary and needs rest.

How nice to know that God arranges for that. He’s faithful, powerful, wise, and understanding. His steadfast love endures forever. You don’t have to worry. You can rest easy.

And you can get some sweet, sweet sleep.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Turn around

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jim Wilson on Unsplash

I was talking with someone about faith. I asked him if they were sure they were saved. He said, “I don’t know. I don’t know what my life or my faith will be like in the future.”

I had no idea what to say. I just listened.

I think it’s fair to say that Solomon had it all. Scripture tells us that “King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom” (10:23).

Suddenly, it all goes south. First, “King Solomon loved many foreign women” (1 Kings 11:1). Is that a problem? Not at first. “When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods” (11:4).

Now it’s a problem. “His heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God” (11:4). It only takes eleven verses of scripture for a king who has it all to be the one who threw it all away.

I don’t get it. How could Solomon’s world famous wisdom let him down in his personal life? How could his unequaled discernment and judgment not protect him from idolatry and unfaithfulness?

I’ve thought about this a lot and haven’t come to any conclusions. But the words of Jesus keep coming to mind: “Unless you repent” (Luke 13:3). Living in an information age, it doesn’t matter how much I know about God. It doesn’t matter how much I’ve been blessed. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve trusted God. It doesn’t matter how much wisdom I have.

It’s about turning to him. It’s all about repentance.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What should I ask for?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the Bible” devotion from 1 Kings 3.

What do you want for your birthday? What do you want for Christmas? What are your salary expectations? What do you want for supper?

God says to Solomon, “Ask what you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Later Jesus would say, “Ask…seek…knock” (Matthew 7:7).

A blank check from the omnipotent God. What do you ask for? What do you dare ask for?

It’s got to be big, right? You might not get another chance. But not too big. You don’t want to sound greedy or selfish. Do you ask for something that will last? Or for a moment you’ll never forget?

Solomon asks for “an understanding heart to judge and discern” (3:9). It’s a noble, humble, and insightful request. Probably better than anything I would have thought to ask for.

So God gives Solomon “a wise and discerning heart” (3:12) as well as riches and honor (3:13). Before long, all would know that “the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice” (3:28).

So exactly what is the wisdom of God? What does it look like? I think of it it’s the ability to discern what is going on, so you know what to do or not do in a situation.

  • Knowing the right thing to say. Or when to just be quiet.
  • Knowing when to act. Or when to wait.
  • Knowing how to listen and hear what someone is saying. Or know when they’re lying.
  • Knowing what to ask for when God says, “What do you want?”

Posted in Life

Bringing wisdom

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash

The new person in my online Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group a couple of weeks ago was Mophath, who lived in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s cool to study the scriptures each week with men from all over the world. Some members of my small group live on the east and west coasts of the US, others are in the midwest states of Illinois and Iowa, and four live in Africa. Earlier in the year, one guy lived in Hawaii.

Our leader asked Mophath to introduce himself to the group and tell us a little about himself. He’s twenty-two years old, is studying at the University of Nairobi, and learned about BSF from a friend. When he checked out our group, he saw many “who could be my grandfathers.” Yes, our group leans a little toward the retired side of life. We’ve got a few young guys, and Mophath will lower our average age a few more years. “But,” he added, “I am thankful for the wisdom you all bring.”

His comment revealed a respect for those who are older that my culture doesn’t necessarily display. Maybe I am more aware of that as I wade a little deeper into senior citizenship. I get senior discounts now, so I guess that’s where I am. I don’t feel that old, but I get a weekly reminder when I see myself on Zoom. Mophath’s comment made me think about my respect – or lack of respect – for those older than me. Or even those my age.

Feelings of disrespect bubble up when some folks can’t seem to handle technology. Some struggle with self-checkout lanes, smart phone updates, TV and cable remotes, and resetting the clock in the car for Daylight Savings Time. But wait a minute. Don’t we all struggle with those things?

I get a little agitated when I have to wait for someone who’s moving a bit slower than me, or takes a little more time to express an idea. That is, until I remember that I make more mistakes when I rush through something. I also say some really stupid things if I don’t think before I speak. Just relax.

It’s bothersome when those who are older have such little tolerance for the appearance, language, and habits of a younger generation. I know, it’s always been this way. The “generation gap” is nothing new. I feel out of place among those who fully embrace tattoos, piercings, brightly dyed hair, K-pop, and choosing their own pronouns. Guess what? I’ve advanced to an older generation.

I haven’t yet felt too much disrespect from a younger generation. I think the way to dodge that is to show an interest in them and listen to their story. Perhaps that’s wisdom I’ve discovered over the years. I should give God credit, too. He said that you reap what you sow. Show respect, and you’ll receive respect.

Posted in Life

Walking with the wise

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I came across these words of wisdom in Proverbs this morning:  “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise” (13:20).

Sometimes I need to hang out with wise people. People who have insight, who have had some experience, who I can learn something from, who can get me thinking, who can challenge me. All I need to do is find some.

Here’s where I’ve found some wise people to walk with:

Online. Blogs, newsletters, sermons and teaching.  The web gives me a chance to walk with people I never would have met otherwise, and people I’ll never get to know, but are a source of wisdom.  It’s not unusual to find little nuggets on Facebook and Twitter.

Books and periodicals. Besides walking with the Lord in his word each day, I can walk with the wise through may kinds of literature, recent and ancient.

Family and friends. The real thing.  Real people to walk with who can see things from a different perspective.  Definitely a gift from God.

People at church. Yes, even members of the church.  When you see church and life and ministry through the eyes of a pastor for a while, you forget what it’s like to have “lay eyes.”  It’s good to have a few trusted sets of those to keep you grounded.

I know where to find foolishness.  However, I’ve always got my radar on for someone with wisdom.