Before God began a single thing

Proverbs 8:22 KJV — The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

Before God created a single thing, He had wisdom and understanding.

Wisdom and understanding predate all of creation. They are the fount from which all of God’s works spring forth.

Everything He did and does is founded on His wisdom and His understanding.

God possessed them, and He was one with them, because wisdom and understanding are Jesus.

Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:1),  is wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30).

To have wisdom and understanding is the byproduct of spending time being intimate with God’s Word.

A definition of evil

Proverbs 8:13 KJV — The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Pride, arrogancy, the evil way and the froward mouth.

Self-suffciency, separation in identity from God, seeing yourself as separate from God.

Trusting in yourself instead of in the finished work of Jesus.

Visible goodness

Psalm 27:13 KJV — I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

God’s goodness can be seen, and it’s to be seen in the land of the living.

God wants you to experience His goodness right now, in the land of the living.

“They” is wisdom and understanding

Proverbs 7:5 KJV — That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

“They” is wisdom and understanding.

They will keep you from the strange woman, from that which lies outside of the new covenant you have in Jesus.

They keep you through the way you see things. The things you don’t do or don’t get round to doing because you don’t see it or because you’re busy seeing other things.

You don’t get round to watching that series because you’re busy writing your own.

You don’t go out to that late night party because you need to get a full night’s sleep.

The restraints and constraints of wisdom and understanding keep you safe.

The Truth is never indifferent

Revelation 3:16 KJV — So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

There should be no ambiguity regarding your identity.

Do not tolerate anything that would have you smooth out the edges or turn down the volume or leave out the spices.

Have the humility to be who God created you to be. Not more, and not less.

And when you can see what He’s called you to, do not treat what you see with indifference. Go all in on it.

The Truth is never indifferent.

God’s presence = prosperity

Genesis 39:2 KJV — And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Joseph was prosperous because the Lord was with him.

You have God living in you.

So if Joseph enjoyed immense prosperity having God with him, how much more are you to enjoy prosperity in all of its dimensions because God is in you.

‘In’ is better than ‘with’.

Honour the Word

Proverbs 4:8 KJV — Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

And the Word will honour you.

The Word of God is a force multiplier. Whatever you pour into it, the Word will multiply back to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

Every moment you spend honouring the Word compounds back to you with promotion and honour coming to you as a byproduct.

Because you’re their Dad

Proverbs 4:1 KJV — Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

But what if my kids don’t listen to me?

Instruct them in the ways of the Lord…simply because you’re their Dad.

God has authorised you to teach and instruct your children.

And he’s designed them to listen to you, simply because you’re their Dad.

Thats more than just a noun. It’s a position of great Authority.

Leaning isn’t complacency

Proverbs 3:26 KJV — For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

You’re still getting out of bed and doing things.

But your confidence isn’t in what you’re doing or any of your many abilities.

Your confidence is in the Lord. You’re trusting in His presence and wisdom and favour and exceeding precious promises that He has already placed inside your born again Spirit.

You are working diligently, because that’s just the Kingdom way of doing things: whatsoever your hand finds to do, do with all your might.

But even as you are busy being diligent, your confidence about the end result is 100% resting on the Lord and His Word.