THIS IS THE LAST GROUP OF SEVEN WORDS (in a total of 21 WORDS) that we have been sharing from the pen of Mart DeHaan of RBC. We hope these 21 WORDS Mart has pinpointed will be helpful as you continue your walk through life. The book of Proverbs makes "wisdom" sound like something you can obtain like going to the store and shopping for something. And then, on the other hand, Proverbs makes it sound like "wisdom" was a person standing along side God when He created the world. WHATEVER "wisdom" is, the Scripture urges us to GET WISDOM. Snatch it whenever those special experiences come along that I have called Providential Provisions -- God is THE original provider and He shares all truth and wisdom with those who take the time to search for wisdom.

15 -- GET KNOWLEDGE – but don’t depend on your knowledge. Seek to be wise but don’t rely on your wisdom. Work hard, but don’t trust in your hard work. Work smart, but don’t stake everything on your own cleverness and efficiency. Be ethical, but don’t lean on your own morality. Make plans, but don’t hope in your plans. Save money, but don’t trust your savings. Add up your numbers, but don’t count on them. Value people, but don’t depend on people. I’m intrigued with that lengthy New Testament letter that doesn’t ever mention the subject of idols by name – yet abruptly ends with the words, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (I John 5:21)

16 – WE ARE SAVED BY GOD’S MERCY, not by our merit; by Christ’s dying, not by our doing; by trusting, not by trying. If it came down to having one or the other, we’d probably do well to trade all of our assets and education for this one thought (Ephesians 2:8-9).

17 – WORSE THAN BLINDNESS IS SIGHT WITHOUT VISION.” Helen Keller. This reminds me of Jesus, who said, “Take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.” (Luke 11:35)

18 – WISE ARE THOSE WHO LOOK AT OTHERS with the same generosity they offer themselves, and who look at themselves with the same critical eye they have for others. Yet look what we do! We blame others to get the attention off ourselves (Matthew 7:3).

19 – IT’S BETTER TO DESERVE HONORS AND NOT HAVE THEM, than to have them and not deserve them.” Mark Twain. Jesus gave an example of someone who takes a seat of honor at a banquet, but then is told to give it to someone else (Luke 14:7-11).

20 – I HAVE FOUND that the desire to have is soon replaced by the fear of losing. Solomon wrote a whole essay about this (Ecclesiastes).

21 – USE THINGS AND LOVE PEOPLE. Don’t use people and love things. Why, after so many complex and profound things are considered, do the most important things in life seem so simple?

Mart DeHaan concludes his article, BEEN THINKING ABOUT, with these words: “What I enjoy most about this collection is understanding how all good principles are rooted in the wisdom of Scripture – while pointing us to the Person of Christ.

The best ideas are like the star of Bethlehem. Their purpose is not to celebrate themselves, but to lead us to the One who offers us the forgiveness, patience, grace and wisdom we need.”

THANK YOU, Mart DeHaan (of RBC)

THE WORDWRIGHT

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