Wisdom the Life Giving Fountain

 

When a man loves God with all his heart and walks with Him, there is an atmosphere about him. Corrie’s ten Boom’s father was such a man. Casper ten Boom’s influence on the children cannot be properly measured. Eternity will tell the true story of his daily impressions on the family. He walked with God as he worked in his watch repair shop and guided his family.

Because he was a truly godly man from deep within, the very character of his person touched every aspect of his house. Casper ten Boom was an everyday, all the day Christian. All day long he linked the Word of God to the things that were happening around their everyday lives. He knew his Bible because he was reading and meditating in it all the time. He was well known for his ability to debate the scriptures.

Casper walked with his God; many aspects of his life can validate this, but his prayer life is the crowning proof. He had his times of private prayer which opened the way for the spirit of prayer that was upon him at all times. There was nothing formal about this man’s prayer life. God was with him all the time and he talked with Him all the time. He would silently pray to God in the middle of a conversation as the need arose. He moved in and out of prayer while talking on important subjects.

He was a Christian Businessman; his watchmaker shop was opened each day with the reading of the Bible and a season of prayer. He went the second mile with his customers and refused to be known as a man after money. Christian principles guided him in his philosophies of business and the gospel was preached when the opportunity arose. This family business provided many hours of father-child relationships as they worked together.

His authority was calm, quiet; Corrie said, “father had a spiritual authority about him that permeated all aspects of home life. Casper had a powerful combination of positional authority and spiritual authority and all understood his position in the home. Casper never used the rod to spank like many parents who lean too heavily on the rod and shy away from other areas, which require much more time and character on their part. He was a master at building relationships.

Casper was full of love, full of wisdom and full of the Holy Ghost. This tremendous combination worked so well. This firm, gentle man captivated the heart of all who dwelt in his house. The children were affirmed and blessed by their father’s love daily. Kind words and a sympathetic heart flowed from him to the children. At bedtime they all looked forward to Papa’s goodnight rituals.

His special prayers, the tender way he tucked them in bed and his gentle hand upon their forehead brought tender memories to the girls as they lay in prison. The security of this father’s love opened the way his two lonely daughters to trust in their heavenly Father’s love through many a hard trial in prison. Corrie and Betsie ten Boom grew up in a home that was a rock to them when the temptations and tribulations fell upon them in prison.

In prison, the memories of their stable home were like walls of strength surrounding their fainting minds. The experiential knowledge of God, received in the home from their godly father, sustained them through many impossible circumstances. The security of their father’s love helped them rest in the Father’s love, though hate was manifested everywhere, through guards and inmates alike. The godly home they grew up in was their great strength in the midst of great trials.

Proverbs is a book of wise sayings. Solomon was uniquely qualified to serve as the principal author for this book. First Kings 3:5-9 recounts Solomon asking God for wisdom, a request God eventually granted (1 Kings 4:29-31). Proverbs is a compilation of numerous short instructions for living an effective life on earth. The book simply instructs people in the path of wisdom.

In Proverbs 6:20-23,Solomon exhorted his son “my son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your  heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk they will guide you ; when you sleep they will watch over you. When you awake they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light and correction and instruction are the way of life.

In Proverbs 8 we read “wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her... I wisdom possess knowledge and discretion. I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight , I have power...I walk in the way of righteousness, along the path of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me (vv.11,20,21). 

In Psalm 37:30 David says “the mouths of the righteous utter wisdom and their tongues speak what is just”. In Proverbs 10 we read “the mouth of the righteous is a well of life (v.11). Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding (v.13). Wise people store up knowledge (v.14). The tongue of the righteous is choice silver (v.20). The lips of the righteous feed many (v.21). The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom (v.31).

In Jeremiah 2:13 God says “my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters and hewn themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water”. In the ancient near east, a fountain of waters was something precious. It was a constant supply of fresh, life-giving water. God compares  himself  to that life-giving fountain of water. Flowing water is precious to a community

The wisdom of the righteous is just as necessary for a community. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life. A righteous man speaks life-giving words. Wise people store up knowledge. When a person has wisdom, it will be found on their lips. The words they speak reveal the wisdom they possess, as Jesus said: Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34). 

One day Jesus cried out “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38). The righteous, Spirit filled people are channels through whom the life-giving water ceaselessly flow to the lives of those around them. The Holy Spirit picks, from the store within them, a much needed word of direction, correction, comfort or whatever is needed.

The Psalmist says “my mouth will speak words of  wisdom ; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding (Ps.49:3). The lips of the wise spread knowledge (Prov. 15:7); The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life turning a person from the snare of death (Prov. 13:14)  The righteous man's tongue speaks justice because his heart is right with God. He has the Bible in his head and heart.

David says “The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip (Ps. 37:31).  In Psalm 119 the Psalmist says “blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord v.1. They do no  wrong but follow his ways v.3. Oh that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees v.5. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law v.18

I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding v.32. Turn my eyes away from worthless things v.37. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands v.66. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold v.72. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life v.93.

To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless v.96. Your commands are always with  me and make me wiser than my enemies v.99. i have more insight than all my teachers , for I meditate on your statutes v.100. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts v.101.  I have kept my feet from every evil path so that i might obey your word v.102. i gain understanding from your precepts ; therefore I hate every wrong path v.105. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it that I will follow your righteous laws v.106. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end v.112. Because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path v.128 .Direct my footstep according to your word, let no sin rule over me v.133. You are righteous oh Lord and your law is right .

The statutes you have laid down are fully trustworthy v. 138. Your promises have been thoroughly tested v.140. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live v.144 . You established your statutes to last forever v, 152 . Great peace have those who love your law and nothing can make them stumble v. 165. May my tongue sing of your word , all of your commands are righteous v. 172

The Psalmist says “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8).  The Lord says “I will put my laws in your heart and I will write them on your mind”( Heb.10:16). This man's steps do not slip because the law of his God is in his hearts; his feet do not slip. The word of God which is hidden in his heart affects his steps. God's holy word clearly facilitates a holy walk!

The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation... Scripture is ...useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:15-17). The  law of the Lord is perfect , reviving the soul, the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy , making wise the simple ( Ps. 19:7)

The only effective way of keeping a plot of ground from being overgrown by weeds is to sow good seed there: evil will be overcome with good (Rom. 12:21). The more Christ's word dwells in us "richly" (Col. 3:16), the less room will there be for the exercise of sin in our lives.  Each one of us is required to receive the instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in our heart (Job 22:22). God’s Word will keep our spiritual walk from slipping.

That word secures our steps from any serious mistake and fortifies us against sin. Nothing else will preserve from the infections of this world and be so effective a preservative against sin. As long as the truth is active within us, stirring the conscience, we shall be kept from falling. Let’s fortify ourselves against any coming emergencies.  Let’s make it our aim to know the word then, when facing life’s challenges, we can be ready for any situation.