
I had never thought of that before, but it’s true, isn't it?
Sometimes it takes us a long time to learn a simple truth.
Some that have taken me way too long to learn the truth of are the following:
Actions speak louder than words.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
My journey to understanding has given me a new appreciation for King Solomon, the king who asked God for wisdom above riches. At the time he probably didn’t know what he was in for because I don’t think God gave Solomon any shortcuts.
There are approximately 800 individual proverbs in the book of Proverbs and except for Proverbs 30 and 31, all are attributed to Solomon. I am sure many of them came from his own life experiences, such as Proverbs 21:9: “Better to live on the corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” After all, Solomon did have 700 wives and despite living in a palace, I am sure there were times even that wasn’t big enough.
Or “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5.
Others, I am sure, were through his observations as King as he worked through the disputes and problems of his people.
- Proverbs 6:6-8: "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways, and be wise".
- Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”
- Proverbs 13:24 “The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.”
- Proverbs 22:7 “The rich will rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave of the lender.”
Though I have many years under my belt, I hope that I might learn more truths in the future just by internalizing the truth as presented through Scripture and not through wrong choices. The best way I can think to do that is by following the very first proverb Solomon wrote.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline” Proverbs 1:7.