Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Nov. 1, 2011

“Hayloft Wisdom!”
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." – Proverbs 9:10

The following is actually a repeat of a previous message from chapter one in which the wording of the verse is almost exactly the same with only one word separating the two. In this verse Solomon uses the word, wisdom, whereas in chapter one he uses the word knowledge.
From a purely casual observation these two words would on the surface appear to be virtually the same—that they carry the same meaning but eight chapters and over two hundred verses later I see an enormous difference! Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something, which can include information, facts, descriptions, and/or skills acquired through experience or education.
Wisdom goes further. It is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply the proper judgments and actions in keeping with this understanding.
Here’s how I see the difference—I may know what to do (by learning the facts) and I also may know by experience something is wrong and improper but wisdom is that which directs my moves even before I make them. It is “pre-emptive” spiritual thinking, and action. Now…here is how I have come to truly see wisdom working in my life! What I have learned is the “fear of the Lord” is not "being afraid" of God, as much as it is to respect His awesome power, His love and ability! For example; I have a fear (or better said a healthy respect) of electricity but it does not stop me from using it! I have just learned how to use it properly to the point where it becomes a benefit to me.
I lived on a farm until I was nine years old. Those were wonderful times and unfortunately ones that did not last near long enough. I loved going all over the farm with my Dad, feeding the cattle and riding the horses. I remember how I would watch as my Dad would go into the barn and go up to the hayloft to get hay for livestock. I also remember him saying to me (on several occasions), "Do not go up there unless I am with you." I never understood why I had to have him there with me just to go up and see a stack of hay. But my curiosity got the best of me so one day while I was outside and away of the watchful eye of my parents, I decided that I was going to check this thing out. I was about three-fourths up the ladder when my foot slipped and I fell about 15 feet onto my back. My back hurt for several days but not near as much as my conscience! From that time on I did not go to the hayloft without Dad! In retrospect I fell off that ladder because I lacked the respect necessary to show caution.
Applying this to the scripture reference - when we reject God's wisdom it means we lack the desire to lead a disciplined life. A great number of people say they believe in God and many accept the Bible as His word. But when His Word tells them to stay away from the things that could cause them harm, or interfere with their lifestyle them they reject it! Simply stated, they want to do things their way! I sure hope for their sakes that they do not try to climb any haylofts!
Do you ever find yourself thinking about seeking to do the exact opposite of what you have been instructed to do or not to do? Why is that? Do we fully respect the unseen power of God's laws or do we take our chances and let the chips fall where they may? Every law, the ones we like and especially the ones we don't all find their origins from One eternal source...THE MIND AND WILL OF GOD!
What we have been discovering over the past few messages is that the “God-Life” is not about going to Church. It is not about knowing certain phrases or singing the right songs. The God-Life is exactly the way it sounds, the life God wants us to have in the way He designed it and the way He describes it. There is a reason why my parents wanted me to stay away from that hay-loft. It was not to prevent me from having fun but from harming myself—and even killing myself. They had insight I did not nor could not have at such a young age. Spiritual hayloft wisdom still works even on some of you city folks!
Pastor J. T. Carnell