Being Sensible

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

  BEING SENSIBLE

Prov 22:3

3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

NIV

Although the Hebrew word translated prudence mostly carries the meaning in a negative sense, meaning sly, crafty or shrewd, it also can mean sensible. Contextually we have to see this in the positive as meaning sensible. With none of us able to know the future or see into the future, we live with hope. The sensible person is able to see danger ahead. This could mean in the physical sense, in the realm of humanity, but we would have to think this has more to do in the spiritual realm of God. A prudent person finds the meaning of life, the purpose of life, the origin of life. This one truth can only be found in the word of God. Although many would dispute this and make every effort to prove otherwise, saying we all crawled out of some premortal soup. They say this is being evolved over millions of years from some single cell, which developed into millions of different species, including bugs, birds, reptiles, fish, animals and apes. How overrated their opinion of themselves, having such lofty thoughts. But the fact remains the prudent man finds refuge in God. He sees the danger of the consequence of sin, death. He sees the danger of the lake of burning sulfur and he takes refuge in the strong tower, in the ever presence help in time of trouble.

Ps 9:9-10

9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

NIV   

Ps 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

NIV

The simple, which the Hebrew word means, the foolish, the open-minded will not see the truth of God, but prefer their own wisdom, being open-minded to every wind of doctrine, or idea posed by other men. They take in ideas which seem right in their own mind, but God calls those who think they are wise foolish, simple minded, not having prudence, taking refuge in the one and only God who can save them from danger. They plow through life, thinking their wisdom will bring them something, but in fact it brings them death. Although we may not have wisdom in the worldly sense, we have the foresight to know, having the word of God, to take refuge in our Lord. It does not matter what the simple minded people say about life, its meaning or its supposed origin. We know, without doubt, the real meaning and origin. Our life is not about being the best we can be, it is about being in Christ. Life is not about being the best, the biggest, the brightest, the most intelligent, the greatest, most knowledgeable, the most successful at whatever. Life is about being in Christ, taking refuge in God, understanding we are the created, he is the creator. He has done all that is ever needed for us to live the abundant life, both in the here and now and in the everlasting.  Hiding in Christ is the most prudent, sensible thing to do.