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Take Me to the Beach

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Proverbs 1:7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

Summer officially begins June 20, 2025 but many have already begun heading to the coast to walk or lie on the beach, swim in the ocean or ride its waves. Those with personal experience can testify to its raw power. Even a passive observer can attest to the destructive power generated when the ocean becomes “angry.” In fact, I would dare say, most of us would whole-heartedly agree the ocean can kill you. Maybe the point of Solomon’s proverb is comparable. Scripture infers any person casually strolling through life ignoring God is a fool. Those who truly desire wisdom will submit to the revelation taking the necessary precautions to avoid disaster and eternal death. Taking the analogy even further you could add that it would be extremely foolish to say you love the ocean while ignoring the fact that it can kill you.

It was quite a revelation when I realized that Truth isn’t an abstract concept. It, or rather He, is a Person. Jesus said I AM the Truth. Imagine my shock when the Spirit revealed that Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs is also Jesus. Although Solomon refers to Wisdom as being female. A casual reading will reveal Wisdom is Jesus. Consider the following passages: Proverbs 1:23 If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you.

Proverbs 8:22-24 The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.23 I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed.24 When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water.

Proverbs 8:30-32 Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always,31 Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men.32 Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways.

These are just a few of the verses that seem to point to Wisdom (the Word) being with the Father before Creation. What’s truly confounding to Twenty-First Century Christians (especially Western Worldview Christians), is the concept introduced in Proverbs 1:7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning… For the most part, Twenty-First Century, Western-Worldview Christians typically turn to the Lord when in need or want, and are prone to worship Him through routines, and rituals. (In other words, hearts typically remain hard and out of reach). We can be quite contented singing along with the Doobie Brothers, Jesus is just alright with me…Jesus He’s my friend. But how many would claim a fear of Him? Why would this idea seem preposterous? If Jesus can say: If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple. (Lk. 14:26 AMPC) – then surely fearing the Lord is the least of our problems. If we’re called to “hate” our family, spouse, children, and life – inevitably hating sin – shouldn’t we expect to hate anything that keeps us from His Presence? Should fear of the Lord lead us to hate anything that would keep us from remaining in His Presence? In other words, wouldn’t that be Wisdom? Wouldn’t praying for the Wisdom of James 1:5 simply be asking for the Presence of Jesus? Some would object to the harshness of this proverb claiming that they choose to love Jesus instead; that He’s their friend. Yet, Jesus said love for Him was defined by obedience and faith. If I love Him I will obey Him. If I obey Him I will be in His Presence. Thus, fear of the Lord is the beginning of not simply Wisdom, but Jesus. May I also add, those who have gotten “wet” from a wave of His Manifested Presence are fearful to be without it. As Peter exclaimed, Lord, [wash] not only my feet, but my hands and my head too! May we be awash in a fear of the Lord that leads to the Feet of Wisdom, Truth, and Jesus.

Invitation To Friendship

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In the book, The Insanity of Obedience, its author, Nick Ripken writes: Betrayal within the faith community is a special concern, and it is important enough to demand specific attention. Consider this scenario: Expectations were high. After years of struggle and prayer, a house church was emerging among a resistant Muslim people group. Lives had been spent with this precious moment in view. Seeds had been sown and those seeds were now bearing fruit. Fervent prayers were being answered. Bold witness was being blessed. It was an exciting time. A church was being born. Almost immediately, it seemed, a Judas arose from within the group, exposing the inner circle of leaders. The small core of believers fled in disarray and fear. In an instant, the infant church seemed to disappear. Now, years later, these believers still wait in hiding for the birth of the first house church among their people. Nik Ripkin goes on to state, In light of the Biblical record and in light of Jesus’ response to His own Judas, let us consider some truths about Judas and let us consider what our response might mean for the growth and health of the Gospel. (1) We can expect to find Judas within our inner circle. (2) We can expect Judas to grow up within the movement and not to be imported from the outside. (3) With God’s help, we can choose to deal with Judas ourselves and choose not to export him to others. (4) We can learn to recognize Judas quickly. (5) We can be aware that Judas often has money issues. Regarding this last point Nik offers the testimony of a Muslim believer: When a seeker after Jesus comes to me, I ask them, What is it that you want: a car, a house, a wife, or to go to America? I tell them that I cannot even give them an aspirin. All I have is a cross. Do you want to pick up your cross and follow Jesus? That is all I can offer you. He then continued, “Everyone who followed Jesus in the New Testament gave up something. Everyone who comes to Jesus through a Westerner is trying to get something.“

There’s an interesting detail that Western readers often overlook when reading about the night of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas. John 13:26-27 Jesus answered, It is the one to whom I am going to give this morsel (bit) of food after I have dipped it. So when He had dipped the morsel of bread [into the dish], He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. 27 Then after [he had taken] the bit of food, Satan entered into and took possession of [Judas]. Jesus said to him, What you are going to do, do more swiftly than you seem to intend and make quick work of it. We know from Scripture that John, the Beloved disciple, sat to Jesus’ right at the table and that Judas sat to His left. In Jewish culture the seat of honor was on the left side of the one who headed up the meal. Jesus had given the seat of honor to Judas – who was going to betray him; to the one who stole money from Jesus and the other disciples. Jesus honored him. But it get’s much worse, or should I say, more convicting. When Jesus handed the morsel of matzah to Judas that also had symbolic, and cultural ramifications. What was its message? Through that one action Jesus was offering to Judas a lifetime of friendship and love. He was saying to Judas, Will you be my true and close friend?

As we celebrate Passover, and draw closer to the events of Christ’s crucifixion, we need to take the time to ask, Have we betrayed Jesus for protection, provision, spouses, family, cars, houses, or material gain? I am often haunted by a realization I had years ago, that Jesus has many acquaintances but very few friends. We all want Him for something. But in the words of Henry Blackaby, If you knew all you had was a relationship with God, would you be totally and completely satisfied? In other words, If you didn’t have any of the material wealth, or family and friends – would your relationship with Jesus keep you totally and completely satisfied? What are you living for?