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Wisdom of Sirach 1:20-21 LXX

A patient man will hold fast until the proper time,
Then afterwards gladness shall burst forth for him.
He shall conceal his words until the proper time,
And the lips of many will tell of his understanding.

Personal Challenge

Our God is so patient. He has waited for over 2,000 years so that more of His creation may come to know Him and we have no idea how much longer He will wait. If my desire is to be like Him and to grow in the image of my Lord Jesus Christ, then this is one area of my life that I can work on, being patient. By learning to be patient I will be exercising love for my neighbor. This practice will also play out in learning how to conceal my words and hold my tongue. This too is showing love for my neighbor and putting them before myself. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Wisdom of Sirach 1:16 LXX

The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom,
Making peace and soundness of health to flourish.

Personal Challenge

Don’t we all want peace and soundness of health? I know that I do. Unfortunately, we so often chase the things of this world such as wealth, or the things that wealth buys, or prestige thinking that these things will give us peace and health. In truth, all that they do is begin us on that spiral of wanting more and more and falling farther and farther from the crown of wisdom. Only true, deep, and purposeful fear of the Lord can free us to this peace and soundness of health. Glory be to God!

Wisdom of Sirach 1:10-11 LXX

The fear of the Lord will cheer the heart
And will give gladness, joy, and long life.
For those who fear the Lord, it shall be well to the utmost,
And on the day of his death, he will be blessed.

Encouraging Words

What do we mean when we say that we fear our God? This concept has been misconstrued in our modern language and experience. Today, we perceive this as a frightful and cowering response to someone, or something, that is mean and can do us great harm. In the Christian perspective, it means to show great reverence, love, and respect to our God who is awesome and mighty, yet loving and merciful. This kind of fear brings us to a place of great awe and respect for our God who we do not deserve to know, yet desires to know us. Is it any wonder then that through this fear He will cheer our heart, give us gladness, joy, and long life, and bless us both in this life and the life to come? Once again, I am reminded that this is all about our God and who He is and what He does, and nothing about me except that I am the blessed recipient of His love. Glory be to God!

Wisdom of Solomon 19:22 LXX

For in everything, O Lord, You have exalted and glorified Your people,
And have not neglected to be present with them in every time and place.

Encouraging Words

My God is not some distant, disconnected, wrathful, and judgmental god. He is active in the lives of those who love Him and pursue Him. He does not have unrealistic expectations of me because He loves me unconditionally and without end. What an awesome God He is.

Wisdom of Solomon 15:1-3 LXX

But You, our God, are kind, true, patient,

Wisdom of Solomon 12:1-2

For Your immortal Spirit is in all things.
For this reason You correct little by little those who fall away,
And You remind and warn them of the sins they commit
So they may be freed from evil and believe in You, O Lord.

Encouraging Words

Not only am I created in the image of God, but He is the one who breathed life in me. This breath is His Immortal Spirit that is within me. Because of this He guides and directs me in my life so that I might be corrected when I get off track and encouraged when I stay on track. God does this because He loves me. He does this gently so that I might be corrected but not broken. He gives me so many chances to follow Him and yet lets me choose for myself. Glory be to God!

Wisdom of Solomon 8:7 LXX

If anyone loves righteousness,
The products of righteousness are the virtues.
For wisdom teaches self- control, discernment, righteousness and courage,
Concerning which things there is nothing more valuable in the life of man.

Encouraging Words

What are some of the consequences of pursuing righteousness? There are so many, but this passage presents some very valuable ones. These virtues can be such wonedrful additions to our lives. Self-control, discernment, additional righteousness, and courage are virtues that can enhance the journey through life and on to theosis. Glory be to God.

Wisdom of Solomon 8:5-6 LXX

Now if riches are a possession to be desired in life,
What is richer than wisdom, who works all things?
And if discernment shows itself in action,
Who more than wisdom is its craftsman?

Personal Challenge

I believe that part of our being created in the image of God is that part of us desires to possess riches. What was broken by the fall of mankind was what we define as riches. If the riches that we desire are the things of this earth such as material wealth and personal gain and recognition, then we have bought the lie of our enemy and succumb to the fall. However, if the riches that we desire are those outside of this world such as loving God, loving our neighbor, knowing Wisdom personally, and all of those things that are of our Father, then we have started our journey to righteousness and the breaking of the fetters and shackles that this earth has bound us with. Glory be to God!