“Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness…” (KJV, Prov. 8:4-9).
“Unto you, O men, I call”
Father, I thank You for calling out to me. So often, I read of the way that I must call out to You, but in the passage at hand, I am reminded that You also call my name. You have sought me first, and may I never forget this fact. You have called me by name. May I always remember what You have done?
I am taken aback by Your love and desire to draw me to Yourself. Please help me to heed Your calling this day. Sometimes I find that I can be called in other directions. I notice that the voice of the world and my flesh often overpowers Your still-small voice. Please forgive me so that I may listen when You call.
“and my voice is to the sons of man”
Not only do I lift my voice to You, but You also lift Your voice to me. The passage speaks of wisdom calling out, but surely wisdom comes from above. You have called me through Your Word and told me what is pleasing in Your sight. You are an awesome God and worthy of praise.
“O ye simple”
You have spoken of the simple ones in Your Word. Yet, you speak of them as though they are the ones who lack understanding. They do not know Your ways, and as a result, they often find themselves in trouble. Teach me, Lord, to know Your ways and give me a heart of understanding.
I notice that if I remain simple, it is my fault. You have given me clear instructions in Your Word on how I ought to live. Yet of the simple, You say, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (Prov. 14:15). May I not believe every word I hear but only words that align with Your Word.
“understand wisdom”
Father, it is only by Your Spirit that I will gain an understanding of Your Word, for who can comprehend the mind of a man but the spirit of that man? In the same way, I cannot understand Your thoughts apart from Your Spirit. I also recognize in Your Word that I will understand more as my faith increases, for the author of Hebrews has said, “Through faith we understand…” (He. 11:3). Increase my faith, Lord.
But I also see Your Word telling me that I must understand wisdom. I also see a significant difference between the world’s wisdom and Your wisdom. Open my eyes so that I would see as You see.
“and, ye fools”
Father, please guard my heart against foolishness. I cannot live my life as the fool depicted in Your Word. The fool is the one who comes to ruin. You have said of the fool, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor” (Prov. 14:9). Therefore, teach me to look upon sin as You do. Show me what it means to hate sin and to love righteousness.
“be ye of an understanding heart”
Here I am made aware that the mind is often called the heart. I must learn to guard my mind and not sin in secret. Teach me to honor You in the depths of my mind. Help me to worship You from within, not simply externally like the Pharisees, so that others may see me.
You are concerned with what is going on within Your temple. Help me to be like Jesus, Who was zealous for Your temple and drove out the corruption that was taking place. I am not my own, for I have been bought with a price. Help me to glorify You.
Your Word says, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Prov. 28:26). It is the fool that trusts in his own heart. However, when You give me the wisdom from above, I will be delivered as I go.
“Hear”
Father, please give me ears to hear Your voice. Just because I hear Your Word or read Your Word does not mean I can hear You. I notice in the Gospel accounts that Jesus would make the deaf hear. He would also give sight to the blind and make the lame walk. Jesus, help me walk with You, hear Your voice, and look to You with the eyes of faith.
Thank You for the work that You have done and continue to do in my life. However, help me never to become stagnant in my walk with You. I am reminded of Paul’s words when he encouraged the Thessalonians in the love that they were showing. Nevertheless, he told them to abound more and more.
“for I will speak of excellent things”
Father, You truly speak of excellent things. This I know. You have told me many truths that have radically changed my life. You have shown me hidden treasures in Your Word and revealed mysteries I could never have known apart from Your Spirit.
You are the God of excellent things. You are the God of perfection and holiness. You are pure in all Your ways and true in all Your Words. Help me to speak as You do. Sanctify my speech and help me to realize that every careless word will be judged on the Day of Judgment.
“and the opening of my lips shall be right things”
You are the One to Whom I must look. I am reminded that the Words You speak are a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The psalmist has said, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me… Make thy face to shine upon thy servant and teach me thy statutes” (Ps. 119:133-135). I pray that You would make Your face shine upon me so I would also learn Your statutes. Order my steps according to Your Word, Lord, so that sin would not dominate me.
“For my mouth shall speak truth”
You speak what is holy, right, and true. Yet again, I read, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:7-8). Your Word is the truth and the medicine I need for my heart to rejoice.
“and wickedness is an abomination to my lips”
Wickedness is filled with sin and deceit. As a result, it is an abomination to You. You are a God of truth, and in no way will You ever rejoice in deceitful lies. Satan is the father of lies, and I pray that You would make me wise to understand his schemes.
Your Word tells me he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. However, I must resist and be firm in my faith. I thank You for never letting me be tempted beyond what I can bear. Instead, You will always provide a way out so I can stand up under it.
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness…”
Father, I thank you that all Your Words are righteous, not most of Your Words, not some of Your Words but all Your Words and right. You have preserved Your Word for thousands of years. While the heavens and the earth will pass away, not an iota or dot will fall from the law until all is accomplished. Increase my faith and help me to look upon Your Word with unwavering trust. You are worthy of being trusted, worshipped, and adored. In Jesus’ name, Amen.