S130P5 – The flavors of God’s favor: wisdom’s reward
Pro. 13:15-16
Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.
They looked like twins because they were twins, but in every other way they were so different. The younger one born four minutes earlier was quieter and more reserved. The older one was quite the wild child. For a long time, the older sister could not figure out why her father’s favor rested so clearly on his other daughter while she felt only tension between herself and him. Every interaction was a battle. The truth of the matter was that her sister listened to their father and behaved according to his guidance. That is why he poured his favor on her. She actually listened to him, and she used his teachings to live according to the wisdom of his ways.
There are things we can do to pursue the favor of God. One of those things is to apply his knowledge to our lives so that we would live according to his wisdom. It stands to reason that this kind of lifestyle would bring his favor upon us because we are doing nothing more than living out his kingdom principles. We will bear the consequences of our words and actions in this place before we reach the judgment seat. The way we live results in certain circumstances here, which is only natural. Part of that is the way in which God responds to our lives spiritually as we either exercise his wisdom or choose to walk in our own or in the world’s. Living wisely by his standards will naturally bring the consequence of his favor.
I cannot be the only one who has had to suffer through the earthly consequences of my bad decisions even though I have a good Father who blesses me and loves me. He certainly has shown me his favor through repentance and guiding me along those corrective ways, but a time of difficult correction still had to be endured. I would have been a fool to remain living against his precepts yet still expecting to receive his favor. Walking in sinful foolishness can only separate us from him and what He has for us. Father, make us wise children who learn the knowledge of your word and apply it to the way we live our lives, inviting your favor to fall upon us daily.