Proverbs 25:6-7 (NRSV)
Read Proverbs 25:6-7 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
Verse 7for it is better to be told, "Come up here,"
Devotion
A professor of preaching laments that the preaching of popular culture focuses almost exclusively on wisdom sayings. Wisdom dominates the prosperity gospel movement (work hard and you will be rewarded) and the personal growth movement (dream big and you will see big results).
Proverbs 25:6-7 offers wise words – gifts from God. Still, wisdom literature cannot be our only source for sermons – our only source for life. A steady diet of wisdom preaching leaves us hungry - sometimes starving. We find we fail at our attempts to live wisely – or our best efforts do not spare us from cancer or heartbreak. We despair.
Preaching is a means for Christ to be revealed – for God’s grace to be made known. For, it is in God’s wisdom – folly in the world’s eyes – that Christ came to earth to embrace the broken, the sinful, even the unwise – offering salvation and a new beginning.
Prayer
Lord, may we seek your wisdom and be fed with your Word today. Amen.