What have I learned?

I’ve recently restarted a habit I began as a college student of reading 1 proverb a day. Each daily proverb correlates with the day of the month.

As I’ve been doing this, I’ve been reminded of a few things I’d like to share with you tonight.

Nick and Jackie asked me to share what I’ve been learning.

So, What have I learned?

I’ve chosen to walk through Proverbs 30 to express this...

What have I learned? First...

#1: I have to relearn what I’ve learned

Or, put differently… I keep having to learn the same things. Over, and over, and over again.

I have a friend who was in a car wreck when he was a kid and received a terrible brain injury. He recently described to me what it was like for him waking up from a coma. He doesn’t remember most of it, but he was forced to relearn basic things we all take for granted.

As I’ve thought more about his story, I’ve realized how much the Christian life is like that.

Just when I think I’ve learned something… I have to learn it again.

sometimes, it’s like I wake up from a coma and have to relearn what it’s like to follow Jesus…

I know I’m not alone in feeling this way...

Proverbs 30:1–2 ESV

1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.

Proverbs 30:3 ESV

3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

I identify with verses 2-3 more than I identify with any other verses in the Bible, minus, Paul’s declaration as being the chief of sinners. But, that is simply a similar sentiment.

I’ve been a Christian for 15 years now. I’ve been reading, studying, and meditating on this book that entire time. Before becoming a Christian, this book made zero sense to me.

But, interestingly, the more and more I dedicate myself to soaking in it, the more and more I realize just how much I fall short of what it presents.

Even after reading a proverb like this...

Proverbs 10:19 ESV

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Somehow, I find myself speaking when I shouldn’t.

Or after memorizing a verse like this...

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I still decide to sin in word, deed, or thought.

Sometimes I preach a passage and find myself struggling with the very things I studied and preached.

This is very interesting...

There is a reason why this proverb is second to last.... Scholars say that it is meant to be read with the one after it, as if they are both meant to be the concluding thoughts to the book.

Most proverbs of the time would begin by stating how wise the teller is. The proclamation would be about how we should listen to the proclaimer because, in his wisdom, he knows what we need to know, but this one, from Agur, starts differently.

It says…

Here are Agur’s words… “I’m so tired of trying...” “I am stupid...” , “I keep proving myself ignorant...”, “my life indicates that I struggle to know and walk with God...”

Proverbs 30:4 ESV

4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

This is all something we can identify with...

And this is precisely what makes the gospel so scandalous…

The wells of grace that we drink from when we first trusted in Christ are also the wells of grace we must drink from daily as we struggle with sin, ignorance, and stupidity.

Becoming a Christian doesn’t automatically make me sinless, all wise, or free of stumbling.

No, in fact, truly becoming a Christian means you have embraced the fact that you are a sinner, at times stupid, and prone to stumbling.

The Christian life is a journey of always learning but never arriving. The moment we think we’ve arrived is the moment we’ve become lost. Our arrival will not be manifested in this current plane of existence. But will only occur when Christ returns for us at the end of time.

How many of us, after a stupid decision, a sinful choice, or a lapse in judgement have rededicated ourselves to God. Or proclaimed “that is the last time. I’ve learned my lesson. Never again will I be duped by that!”

Sadly, our tendency in this dilemma of learning, and re-learning, and re-learning is to just try harder. Try harder to arrive. Become holier, escape this repeated cycle of sin, stupidity, and desperation.

But we need to be careful of this sentiment.

I recently listened to a sermon from a friend who commented on a quote from D. L. Moody (or a quote thats been attributed to him), it says,

“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. With God’s help I aim to be that man.”

My friend compared this quote with a quote from the Apostle Paul,

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Did you catch the difference between these two sentiments? One is motivated by deficit, and the other is motivated by grace...

Here’s what my friend said,

When you hear the D.L. Mood quote, it makes you think, “you know what, if I was more consecrated to God, he could use me more. I am deficient in these ways, and if I just got better, God could use me more, and more change would happen in the world if I was just a better person.”

Motivation from deficit seeks to fill my own cup due to my lack.

Motivation from grace recognizes human weakness as opportunity for God to show His strength.

This brings me to the second thing I’ve been relearning...

#2: I only have one place to turn

Proverbs 30:5–6 ESV

5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Rather than do what most people who endure hardship, make mistakes, or encounter the emptiness of the world, might do, abandon all hope in God, Agur says that God is the only person or place he can turn.

After running himself ragged, after learning and relearning, after acknowledging that there are things he will never fully understand, Agur clings to God and His Word in faith.

Quote The Shadow Proves The Sunshine