December 22

Dec 22 - Today from Proverbs 22 we look at verse 3
"A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." (NIV)
"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." (TLB)

With a quick check in the Oxford dictionary I came up with this definition for prudent: 'careful to avoid undesired consequences'. The American Heritage dictionary offers this additional insight to the definition: 'careful for one's own interests'. Neither dictionary attached any moral aspects to the definition. When I looked it up in the Hebrew Concordance, it came out about the same - no moral implications. Even evil people can be prudent, and often are. But their prudence is contained within a limited sphere of this lifetime. Our prudence must be based on a much further outlook. We are citizens of heaven and what we do in this lifetime will bear eternal consequences. That is a very difficult concept to keep in view on a day to day basis. That is why practicing daily devotions is such an important discipline. God's Word gives proper perspective to life.
With the definitions given above, we can see that personal prudence is based upon personal values. Even the 'simple' have base values. If the prudent man and the simple man were walking together down a road and they saw a semi bearing down on them, I think it would be safe to say that both would jump in the ditch. They both value their lives. I think this proverb goes beyond the obvious common values and speaks to the subtler things that threaten them. This is where the prudent and the simple are separated. I used The Living Bible paraphrase of the verse because I think it reveals an interesting insight when it says, 'the simpleton goes blindly on'. The simpleton isn't necessarily stupid, he is blinded by his own shortsightedness. His main interests are only immediate. He doesn't avoid undesired long-term consequences because he does not see that far down the road. The prudent does. Why is that? Because the prudent values long-term interests. He studies them out to see how they might be enhanced, threatened or affected by the choices he makes today. By getting as much good information as possible, he can then anticipate that which might affect his interests and act accordingly. He lives beyond the end of his nose. The more one learns, the farther one can anticipate. Interests and values are closely related. The more we value something, the higher our interest should be. Now we have come full circle, back to the value of daily devotions. If we value the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," then we should make an effort to protect that primary interest in our life. The command isn't an egocentric demand from a tyrannical God. It is a statement of instruction from a loving Father. It's like a parent saying to a child, "You shall not play in the middle of the street." That parent isn't trying to control the life of the child; he or she is trying to protect the child from an immanent danger that the youngster is too young and inexperienced to anticipate.
In light of eternity and of life as God intended, we are all too young and inexperienced. The best investment of time we can make to protect our eternal interests is to spend it with the eternal One. He will teach us how to look far ahead. He sent His Holy Spirit to illuminate the path beyond our own understanding. He will reveal the dangers that lie ahead, and He will be our Shelter in times of trouble. When a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for help (Mark 10:47), Jesus stopped and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "I want to see." Jesus immediately opened his eyes, and Bartimaeus followed Jesus along the road.
This is my testimony. I hope it is yours. One of my highest values and interests in life is to continue to follow Jesus along life’s road. Even when I am unable to anticipate the dangers ahead, He has. By following Him, I can at least look prudent.