Create in Me a Clean Heart: The 40-Day Challenge (Psalms)Sample

V. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WISDOM OF GOD

Human life is full of ups and downs. A Christian’s life is full of ups and downs. After confessing sin, after receiving forgiveness, and surrendering to the joy of salvation, there is a great danger of starting a new cycle of falling into sin. That is why God offers people access to his wisdom, which is founded on the fear of the Lord. Through his Word, God gives us clear instructions on how to live blamelessly and with understanding, how to resist sin, and how to avoid the counsel of the wicked. God directs people to the grace and sweetness of life in communion with God, but also in harmony with one another. A wise man will obey God and surrender to God’s omniscience.

The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom

Psalm 111

We all know some people that live in their own world. In fact, we like to note that they are so preoccupied with their own ideas, views, experiences, tendencies, habits, actions, achievements, failures and plans that nothing, that is not the subject of their interest or immediate needs, even reaches them.

They are into themselves, for themselves, by themselves, apparently on their own and, as it were, free from everything and everyone. Enterprising, focused, ambitious, energetic, immersed in the here and now. Without need, desire, curiosity, wonder, reflection, or admiration for anything outside of themselves. They are efficient, self-sacrificing, dedicated, diligent, full of knowledge and abilities. Totally interior, and totally outside of life and the world...

They cannot stop like the psalmist, look around themselves and, amazed, recognize and marvel at God’s mighty, brilliant, magnificent works. They have neither the time nor the space in which to realize the constancy, faithfulness and lasting commitment of God to man. They are eluded by God’s always and forever, which welcomes and envelops man’s days with certainty. They’re not able to reach out and be inspired by his gentleness, miracles, truth, righteousness and glory. They do not even recognize the covenant-guaranteed salvation from where they stand. So how could they then truly perceive their life’s flicker in time, their tiny place in the universe? And how could they rise to sincere fear of the Lord?

Those who fear him act wisely.

The wisdom to fear. Fear (leading to) wisdom.

Is it time for me to step out of my world and into God’s?