Author Archives: John Strain

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”  (Proverbs 9:4&16, ESV) All who are simple receive this invitation twice in Proverbs 9.  Lady Wisdom invites us in and prepares us to walk in the way of insight.  The woman Folly … Continue reading →

To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of men.  O you simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. (Proverbs 8:4&5 ESV) Proverbs 8 personifies wisdom as the opposite of the foolish woman we … Continue reading →

My son, keep my words, and treasure up my commands with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.  Say … Continue reading →

“For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. . . .”                                                                                      Proverbs 6:23 (NKJV) Constant reminder may be the best benefit of reading Proverbs every month.  The writers remind us of things best avoided and of … Continue reading →

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom. . . .”  Proverbs 5:1(ESV) I’ve learned a few things through more than forty years of ministry.  One thing stands out as I think about this line from Proverbs.  Most of the time … Continue reading →

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 God designed us with a “control center” that He calls the “heart.”  It’s the place where we know God.  Solomon warns us that … Continue reading →

Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.                       Proverbs 3:23 (ESV) I’m bypassing two of the most familiar verses in Scripture (See Proverbs … Continue reading →

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:5(ESV) Yesterday we thought about the fear of the Lord (1:1), and we defined it as a reverent, humble, and obedient attitude toward God. … Continue reading →

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 Think with me today about “the fear of the Lord.” The phrase occurs fourteen times in Proverbs, and Solomon says it “the … Continue reading →

The Pursuit of Wisdom Many years ago a pastor challenged me to read a chapter of Proverbs a day, getting through the book in a month. Then he challenged me to keep doing that every month for a year. I … Continue reading →