6th April 2024

6th April 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ecclesiastes 10v10-15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


God makes us both wise unto salvation and wise to the world. His word lights the path before us (Psalm 119v105) and in this increasingly mixed up world, we need His guidance more than ever. The Lord’s wisdom is always good, always right and always practical.


In what way? Consider a man chopping wood with an old blunt, rusty axe. The wood eventually gets chopped up but the man has to use more and more energy to do the job (v10). If only he had been wise enough to sharpen his axe before the task at hand. In the same way, consider a snake charmer who handles a serpent before he has tried to charm it (v11). The serpent bites the snake charmer who receives no advantage from such an incident. Or consider the fool who talks and talks and talks (v14). His words are many and begin with foolishness (v13) but he is consumed by his lies (v12). All he talks is madness (v13b) and he doesn’t even know the way to the city (v15) or in other words the fool abounds in stupidity.


The alternative is a life bathed in the Word and wisdom of God. Paul would remind Timothy “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3v16-17). The Word read and especially preached grows us up in the faith as the Holy Spirit moves in our lives.


We won’t get every decision right and Christians aren’t immune from making mistakes but in a world full of foolishness we have been blessed with the unchanging spoken Word of Almighty God. The Word teaches us about who God is and what He expects from us. Furthermore, it directs us in our work and everyday tasks.


How do we apply today’s verses? Let me suggest a prayerful and Word based approach to all of life’s hurdles. Don’t rush in with a unsharpened axe or an uncharmed serpent - slow down and seek the wisdom of God. Additionally, be wise enough to tame your tongue - let your words be full of grace and let them be few. Lastly, don’t be the fool walking around Belfast but still having no clue how to get to the city - the Lord has spoken, follow His way.


The Word of God is like honey on the lips (Psalm 119v103). May you know its sweetness, for as you trust and lean on the Lord, He will surely make your path straight (Proverbs 3v5-6).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q6 How many persons are there in the Godhead? There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
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