(Prov 23:15,16 NLT) My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 14th Saying: an Expression of Hope by the Teacher. Not only is God our heavenly Father, but He is also our divine teacher. He is parent and teacher and we are child and student. He is to lovingly instruct us and we are to lovingly and humbly receive it, even when the instruction is comes in the form of correction. His role is to pour into us from His own heart and immeasurable wisdom and our role is to receive it, apply it, adhere to it, and welcome the transformative power of it, so that we can literally become more and more like God daily.
The goal of discipleship is development. The goal of parenting is maturity and the fulfillment of our children’s life-assignment. The goal of our heavenly Father and divine teacher is nothing less than His best for our lives. The more I read this verse the more I am enamored with God. David asked the question: “What are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?” (Psalm 8:4). Did you get David’s point? David was amazed that the God of the universe, the creator of all things, the one who sits on the circle of the earth, the one who has all things in and under control, the one who spoke to chaos and created order… who spoke to darkness and created light, that God, the only true God, actually spends time thinking about you and me. Not only does He think about us, He has gone to the extent of planning out His best for our lives. Jeremiah said, “For I know the plans I have for you,“ says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (29:11).
The more I think about the fact that God actually takes time to think about, plan, prepare, and then care for me, yes me… a Dominican kid from Brooklyn, I am astounded. And this verse takes it a step further. Not only does our heavenly Father think about and plan for us, but like a natural father and teacher, he literally rejoices when we do good. He is all knowing and we are not, but this verse tells us that He rejoices when our heart is developed in His wisdom. His words are utterly powerful and ours (outside of divine inspiration) are not, but this verse tells us that He celebrates—yes, literally celebrates, throws a party—when we speak divine wisdom from our lips. I don’t know what his does for you, but I can tell you that while I am writing this I am being overwhelmed with God’s love and grace. Knowing that He cares enough about me to teach me, parent me, and then actually celebrate when I do good gives me hope for today and tomorrow.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The Creator of all things actually takes the time to think about you daily.
2. Our heavenly Father wants to Father you; to literally parent and teach you in life.
3. The God of the universe takes the time to celebrate your successes.
4. The reality that God is monitoring your progress and throws a party in heaven when you represent Him well in the earth should give you all the motivation you need to glorify Him today and every day!
Closing Confession: Father, You are awesome! The fact that You take the time to think about me, to plan out my life, to teach me daily, and then to watch over me to monitor my progress is amazing. The fact that You love me enough to watch me and actually celebrate my successes is mind-blowing. This revelation gives me supernatural motivation. I am excited about today. I am going to give You a reason to throw a party. Your wisdom will flow from my lips and my heart. I will represent You well in every meeting, conversation, and activity that I engage in today. Get ready to celebrate Daddy, because I am getting ready to bring glory and honor to Your name! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
