Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Ecclesiastes 7:1–9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8–16; Psalm 48:1–14; Proverbs 22:17–19

Have you ever been chastised? How did it make you feel? Did it change you for better or worse? Sometimes when we are chastised it hurts and we don’t like it. Truth can hurt, but we shouldn’t “kill the messenger,” as they say. Solomon says today, “It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5, NLT) If we can receive it well—and it comes from a good source—it will change us for the better because we will see the truth and wisdom in it, even when it hurts.

The problem with Solomon is that he was prideful, thinking he already knew everything and was too wise for correction—even from the Most Wise, God. This is a dangerous place to be. Even though he tried to let wisdom guide his thoughts and actions and was “determined to be wise… it didn’t work. Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find.” (Ecclesiastes 7:23–24, NLT) Why? Because he was relying on his own flesh instead of relying on God.

But Paul boasted today about the Corinthians because they received his chastisement with “such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.” (2 Corinthians 7:11, NLT) This is godly sorrow—“the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience that leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.” (2 Corinthians 7:10, NLT)

Everyone must come to their own self and experience their own suffering to realize their weaknesses. It’s a process we all must walk to know and understand that we need God! But God brings chastisement in a way that can be recognized without condemning us. He opens our eyes to see truth and releases our hearts from bondage so we can see Him, feel Him, trust Him, and receive what He is teaching. His process is gentle but powerful—loving and truthful, exposing yet covering. He exposes the wickedness, even as He covers our hearts and minds with His redeeming blood and love.

“How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise… revealing Himself as our defender… now we see it ourselves… O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love as we worship in Your temple. As Your name deserves, O God, You will be praised to the ends of the earth… You are our God forever and ever, and You will guide us until we die.” (Psalm 48:1, 3, 8–10, 14, NLT)

“Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction… keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.” (Proverbs 22:17–19, NLT)

Action (5 minutes)

Receive & Respond:

Ask the Holy Spirit: “Where are You correcting me in love today?”

1. Ask the Holy Spirit: “Where are You correcting me in love today?”
2. Write down what the Holy Spirit reveals.
3. Then ask “What do you want me to do about it?”
4. Write down what the Holy SPirit reveals.
5. Do it!

Short Prayer

Father, thank You for loving correction. Give me a soft, teachable heart, godly sorrow without regret, and the grace to obey quickly. Guide me by Your unfailing love today. Show me what I must change and show me what I must do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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