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#AdaWisdomChallenge

READ Proverbs 1 (listen). WRITE out one verse and SHARE with someone.

Proverbs 1 introduces the entire Book of Proverbs. It tells us its theme and purpose as well as sets up the contrast between the wise and the fool. It anchors wisdom in the fear of the Lord. The chapter then continues with the first of nine lessons (v. 8-19) contained in chapters 1-9, along with the first interlude (v. 20-33).

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.  Matthew 7:26-27

Read: Matthew 7:24-27

Listen: Matthew 7

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus was a student of Proverbs and quoted them when he taught. Sometimes he did this word-for-word, while other times he referenced them indirectly. In Matthew 7, at the end of “The Sermon on the Mount,” he does so more directly. His description of the man who builds his house on sand (the one who ignores Jesus’ teaching) echoes the words of Solomon in Proverbs 1:24-28. Writing as the voice of Wisdom, he says, “But since you refuse to listen when I call…I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind…” (Proverbs 1:24-27).

While Jesus isn’t saying he mocks us when disaster strikes, he highlights the foolishness of ignoring the wisdom of both the Proverbs and his teaching. Jesus gives us a choice in the same way wisdom does. We decide we’re going to listen to Jesus’ life-giving correction, or we’re going to ignore it. We will either build on the “rock” or the “sand.”

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

With the voices of wisdom and Jesus clearly in our minds, we get to choose today and every day. Use “Build My Life” by Pat Barrett and Chris Tomlin to build on solid ground as you listen to the lyrics, “I will build my life upon Your love, it is a firm foundation. And I will put my trust in You alone, and I will not be shaken.” Re-commit to The Wisdom Challenge and keep up with it over the weekend. If you’ve already missed a day or more, pick right back up and start again.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.