Read
21My child, use common sense
and sound judgment!
Always keep them in mind.
22They will help you to live
a long and beautiful life.
23You will walk safely
and never stumble;
24you will rest without a worry
and sleep soundly.
25So don't be afraid
of sudden disasters
or storms that strike
those who are evil.
26You can be sure that the Lord
will protect you from harm.
Reflect
Imagine sitting in a venue of unimaginable size, with an audience made up of the peoples of all the ages. The buzz in the crowd is electrifying as anticipation reaches a climax and the God of the universe, the alpha and the omega, steps forward and in a booming voice announces, “Use common sense and sound judgment”. That’s it?!
There is incredible value to pausing and reflecting on our religious life. Has it become all practice and not much relationship? I believe we have a natural tendency towards building our relationship with God around his intervention and relying on him as a chess Master. We sincerely desire his will for our lives. We look to him for daily guidance, provision and protection. But the unintended result of this can be that we arrive at a point in our lives where unless he gives specific answers to prayers and intervenes in every detail we are spiritually floundering.
These verses in Proverbs provide us with some perspective. You have a heart for God; you have committed to following Christ; you believe he is living in you and through you; you have stocked up on his promises. So now go out there and live in the trust that he is living in you, rather than being anxious before acting because you wonder if this is something Jesus would do. “My child, use common sense and sound judgment.”
It may sound scary but we do have a backstop. It’s interesting that what follows from exercising sound judgment and common sense is the promise that we don’t need to be afraid of disasters.
The amazing practical wisdom from Proverbs is a wonderful bridge from the Old Testament view of God as an unapproachable Almighty, to the image of Christ, who walks with us.
Respond
Father, I stand today on your Word and your promises. I pray that you will give me confidence to live in the light of the living Word, your son, living in me. May my natural actions and reactions, common sense and good judgment be an expression of Christ living in me.
Laurie Cook
Laurie has had a successful career in retail management and consulting. He has served on the Board of World Relief Canada and later became President. He was a founding Chair of the Integral Alliance, an international alliance of Christian Relief and Development agencies and has served on the Board of Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Laurie is an avid cyclist and is married with three adult boys.