Introductory Thoughts
People base decisions on different things: some make choices based on their feelings, others by chance or counsel, and some by knowledge. A prudent man does not trust his feelings for making the right choices lest he be led astray. He does not believe in chance and verifies counsel before choosing his direction. When he decides, he only trusts one foundation; and that is knowledge that comes from God. His certainty for decisions only comes from facts that he can verify. Proverbs has much to say about the association of knowledge and prudence. “A prudent man concealeth knowledge”(Proverbs 12:23); “the prudent are crowned with knowledge” (Proverbs 14:18); “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15). A prudent man demands knowledge and seeks after it with his whole heart. By doing so, he avoids the terrible fate of the fools and the simple.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): The prodigal son thought it would be great to leave home and have fun. He would no longer have to obey his father's rules. However, he ended up miserable and so hungry that he would have gladly eaten the slop given to the pigs. By basing our decisions upon God's word, we can avoid the trouble that comes from making bad decisions.
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(For everyone): Where can we find incorruptible knowledge? Where can we look for perfect knowledge when making difficult decisions? How can we find knowledge untainted by man's shortcomings?
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Do you base your decisions upon the right foundation? Do you make these decisions based upon your feelings? Do you make choices based on chance? Do you take counsel without verifying the counsel with the Bible? If so, you likely lack prudence.
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to give you the right foundation for your choices.
- Ask the Lord to help you seek after true knowledge.
Song
The Dear Old Bible
