DRAWING NEAR
October 19
Gaining True Wisdom
"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Ps.
19:7).
God's Word imparts wisdom and knowledge beyond the realm of mere
human understanding.
David's characterization of God's Word as "the testimony of the Lord"
(Ps. 19:7) speaks of its role as God's witness to who He is and what
He requires of us. In addition, it's a "sure" witness. That means
it's unwavering, immovable, unmistakable, reliable, and trustworthy.
Peter made the same point when, after recounting his incredible
experience with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Pet. 1:16
-18), he said, "but we have a testimony more sure than that--the
prophetic word" (v. 19, literal translation). The testimony of God's
written Word is a surer and more convincing confirmation of God's
truth than even apostolic experiences with Christ Himself!
Perhaps that's why our Lord prevented the two disciples on the Emmaus
Road from recognizing Him as He gave them a biblical basis for the
things they had seen and heard (Luke 24:27). Their faith and
preaching were to be based on Scripture, not merely on their own
personal experiences--no matter how profound or moving those
experiences may have been.
The benefit of God's sure Word is that it makes the simple wise (Ps.
19:7). It takes undiscerning, ignorant, and gullible people and
teaches them profound truth from God that they can apply to their
lives. As they do, they become skilled in the art of godly living.
That was the psalmist's joy when he wrote, "Thy commandments make me
wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight
than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I
understand more than the aged, because I have observed Thy precepts"
(Ps. 119:98-100).
Applying that principle to New Testament believers, Paul prayed that
we would be "filled with the knowledge of [God's] will in all
spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Col. 1:9). As that occurs, we're
enabled to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and please Him in
every respect (v. 10). That's the outworking of godly wisdom, and the
key to holy living.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Pray that God's wisdom will increase and abound in your life today
and every day.
For Further Study:
Read Luke 24:13-35, noting how Jesus ministered the Word to the
disciples on the Emmaus Road.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
2 Peter 1:16-19
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known
to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a
voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased."
18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with
Him on the holy mountain.
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to
heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and
the morning star rises in your hearts
Luke 24:27
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Colossians 1:9-10
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge
of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being
fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village
called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself
drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you
have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him,
"Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the
things which happened there in these days?"
19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The
things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed
and word before God and all the people,
20 "and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be
condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21 "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem
Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these
things happened.
22 "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb
early, astonished us.
23 "When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had
also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
24 "And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found
it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."
25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to
believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?"
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He
indicated that He would have gone farther.
29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is
toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay
with them.
30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He
took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished
from their sight.
32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us
while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the
Scriptures to us?"
33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and
found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and
how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
.
|
