Proverbs 2:1-7 Chapter 2 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee; 2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures: 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth `cometh' knowledge and understanding: 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; `He is' a shield to them that walk in integrity;

At one time or another, everyone feels confused, uncertain, or misled. When that happens, we can live victoriously and confidently only by possessing spiritual discernment—the ability to see life from God’s perspective. We need His help to distinguish between right and wrong, good and best, truth and error.

Each day we make many decisions—some trivial, others critical. The Lord doesn’t want us to form judgments based on mere appearance or human reasoning. But the world is so full of deceptive information that we, on our own, couldn’t know what to believe. And so God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us see the reality of each situation as He does.

We can fully trust the Lord with our relationships as well. Since He knows every person’s heart, the only way we can wisely interact with others is to be sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit within us.

Although the Father gives each of His children the capacity for spiritual discernment, many Christians are unaware of it. They stumble through life, doing the best they can, but fail to use this wonderful provision. Others may not think they need it. They make choices according to their own knowledge and reasoning, never giving the Lord a second thought. Unless we cooperate with God in the development of His gift of discernment, it will lie dormant within us.

A discerning spirit begins with a humble, teachable attitude. If you’ve been handling decisions, situations, and relationships through your own wisdom, confess this to God. Then ask for His perspective and search His Word for direction. Your wisdom will grow, and discernment will protect you.

Bible In One Year: Psalms 132-138 Chapter 132 1 Jehovah, remember for David All his affliction; 2 How he sware unto Jehovah, And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids; 5 Until I find out a place for Jehovah, A tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob. 6 Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah: We found it in the field of the wood. 7 We will go into his tabernacles; We will worship at his footstool. 8 Arise, O Jehovah, into thy resting-place; Thou, and the ark of thy strength. 9 Let thy priest be clothed with righteousness; And let thy saints shout for joy. 10 For thy servant David's sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed. 11 Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach them, Their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore. 13 For Jehovah hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my resting-place for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 Her priests also will I clothe with salvation; And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame; But upon himself shall his crown flourish. Psalm 133 A Song of Ascents; of David. Chapter 133 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; 3 Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore. Psalm 134 A Song of Ascents. Chapter 134 1 Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah. 2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah. 3 Jehovah bless thee out of Zion; Even he that made heaven and earth. Chapter 135 1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise `him', O ye servants of Jehovah, 2 Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise ye Jehovah; for Jehovah is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. 4 For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, `And' Israel for his own possession. 5 For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps; 7 Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries; 8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast; 9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants; 10 Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings, 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan, 12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people. 13 Thy name, O Jehovah, `endureth' for ever; Thy memorial `name', O Jehovah, throughout all generations. 14 For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself concerning his servants. 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not; 17 They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them. 19 O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah: 20 O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah. 21 Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah. Chapter 136 1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 2 Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 3 Oh give thanks unto the Lord of lords; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 5 To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 6 To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 7 To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 10 To him that smote Egypt in their first-born; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 11 And brought out Israel from among them; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 13 To him that divided the Red Sea in sunder; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 16 To him that led his people through the wilderness; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 17 To him that smote great kings; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 18 And slew famous kings; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites; For his lovingkindness `endureth' forever; 20 And Og king of Bashan; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 21 And gave their land for a heritage; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 22 Even a heritage unto Israel his servant; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 23 Who remembered us in our low estate; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever; 24 And hath delivered us from our adversaries; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever: 25 Who giveth food to all flesh; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 26 Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. Chapter 137 1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion. 2 Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps. 3 For there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us `required of us' mirth, `saying', Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing Jehovah's song In a foreign land? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget `her skill'. 6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us. 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock. Psalm 138 A `Psalm' of David. Chapter 138 1 I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day that I called thou answeredst me, Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, O Jehovah, For they have heard the words of thy mouth. 5 Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah; For great is the glory of Jehovah. 6 For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, And thy right hand will save me. 8 Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, `endureth' for ever; Forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 139 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.