May 28, 2021: SOAP #4194:  Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs (NIV) 8:12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion… (verses 13-36 are wisdom speaking)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

OBSERVATION:  Favor is an attitude of pleasure inclining one to do good for the one to whom the favor is directed.  The favor of the right person has the potential to change a life.  The favor of God changes a life for eternity! 

How does one gain the favor of God?  The above verses give “finding wisdom” as one way to gain the favor of God. 

APPLICATION:  Wisdom is the application of truth to one’s daily circumstances.  So, wisdom requires some knowledge of truth.  Jesus claimed to be “the way, the truth, and the life.”  So, the basis of wisdom is knowing Jesus. 

Knowledge of my sin and the death of Jesus on the cross leads me to apply that truth to my life by confessing my sins and making Jesus the Lord of my life.  That is wisdom. 

That wisdom brings God to favor me as His son!  Growing in understanding of Jesus and my relationship to Him causes the favor of God to increase. 

PRAYER: Jesus, having you as my Lord leads me to walk in the Father’s favor.  It was wisdom to apply truth to my finances by tithing, and now we walk in your favor.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!