Zane DeGraffenried

18th Aug 2009

Senior Year

• School
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For My Friend or For Me?

A few days ago, I woke up to a still small voice telling me to read Proverbs 2, to a friend. I opened up my Bible and let my dreary eyes read verses 1 through 22 of Proverbs 2. I later called my friend and read them Proverbs 2, they were impacted deeply. It seemed that what this chapter of Proverbs had to say was exactly what my friend needed to hear. What I was more surprised by was that I also needed to hear this chapter. As I spoke the words through the phone to my friend I found myself close to tears because I had been looking for something in the Bible and this was it.

I start my Senior year of High-School in six days, while that may seem irrelevant I see every moment that something begins as a time of reflection. As I start this next academic-year I find myself reflecting on how can I grow as a young man of God? When this chapter showed up it was like an answer. I just thought maybe if I wrote this article and one person read it maybe this chapter would mean something to them too.

My Challenge to You

I challenge you, as you read Proverbs 2 that you would: Read it with an open heart and an open mind; Ask yourself how does this relate to me?; Not just read the words but meditate on each phrase; and that you would just take a minute and reflect.

Proverbs 2

1 Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life.

2 Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.

3 That’s right—if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer,

4 Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,

5 Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

6 And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.

7 He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.

8 He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

9 So now you can pick out what’s true and fair, find all the good trails!

10 Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.

11 Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.

12 They’ll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions

13 Of those who are lost themselves and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed,

14 These losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity,

15 Traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.

16 Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress— that smooth-talking Seductress

17 Who’s faithless to the husband she married years ago, never gave a second thought to her promises before God.

18 Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell.

19 No one who joins her company ever comes back, ever sets foot on the path to real living.

20 So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried and true paths.

21 It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here.

22 The corrupt will lose their lives; the dishonest will be gone for good. Don’t Assume You Know It All

The Message | Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 Eugene H. Peterson by NavPress Publishing