From the pen of Dr. Sam Jones

The Bible readings for today are I Kings 5-6 and 2 Chronicles 2-3. The Spiritual Moment’s thought will not come from the assigned readings but from the Book of Proverbs. For a week, the daily Bible reading has been from Proverbs. This book, in my opinion, is to the Old Testament what the Book of James is to the New Testament. It’s frequently cited as a person’s favorite book of the Bible. It’s a wonderful guidebook and directory for godly living or for teaching people how to live and please God. The book has a message for people of every generation, but it especially has a message for the young generation. David, Solomon’s father, asked the question, “How can a young man cleanse his ways?” He then answered saying, “By taking heed according to Your word” (Psa. 119:9). If our young people are going to be pleasing to God, then it’s vital that parents give them knowledge of God’s Word and wisdom or the ability to make application (Rom. 2:1-5; 3:1ff)

Presently, America is a nation in moral chaos; she desperately needs God’s help. It was Solomon who stated, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). There’s a significant correlation between the many “woes” of our nation and the increased prevalence of sin. Our nation, cities, and communities cry out in so much pain and anguish because America is turning from and forgetting God. America needs to return to a “sense of righteousness” that is, to having a desire to know God plus a passion within our hearts (minds) to want to please Him. For this is the America, for the most part, I remember as a young person. But not only has our nation lost its “sense of righteousness,” increasingly more and more people, in the Lord’s church are losing their “sense of truth.” This phrase refers to accepting the Bible as God’s Word and the final authority on what is right or wrong and acceptable and unacceptable in spiritual matters. More and more, it’s becoming apparent that emotional feelings, personal preference, culture and situational ethics are becoming popular and acceptable means for determining truth. Solomon said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of truth” (Prov. 14:12).

One of the great messages of this wonderful book which speaks to America, the church and every generation is that fearing God is the beginning of wisdom. This great principle was diligently taught by Solomon (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). Colleagues, students and friends please take the time today to pray to God for a “sense of wisdom” for the world, but especially our nation. America is increasingly losing her “fear of the Lord.” There’s a significant decline in the percentage of Americans who respect God and thinks He deserves honor and respect. God deserves reverence! Solomon affirms that those who seek wisdom and follow God’s Word will be blessed and find joy (Prov. 3:13-18); prosperity (Prov. 2:20-22), and long life (Prov. 9:11). On the other hand, those who reject wisdom will find shame and possibly death (Prov. 3:35; 10:21). The challenge for today is to pray for some “sense” to return to America: “sense of righteousness,” “sense of truth” and “sense of wisdom” that our nation might stop the spiritual decline.