praying effectively: Hate Evil (Pv.8:1-21)

(Proverbs 8:1-21)

Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?
2 On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4 “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
5 “O naive ones, understand prudence; and, O fools, understand wisdom.
6 “Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
7 “For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them.
9 “They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10 “Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold.
11 “For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.
14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
15 “By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.
16 “By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly.
17 “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 “Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver.
20 “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we hate evil (8:13)
- that we fear the Lord (8:13)
- that we listen to wisdom (8:6)
- that we understand wisdom (8:5)
- that we understand prudence (8:5)
- that we value biblical instruction over riches (8:10)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for Your wisdom and that You want to share that with us.  Help us to continually seek after You and Your wisdom.  Help us to desire Your word, and the treasures of heaven over earthly treasures.  Guide me and make me more prudent.  Guide and inspire me to hate the things that You hate, and to love the things that You love.  Amen.