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When salmon travel hundreds of miles up rivers and streams to spawn, they are acting on instinct. They are in a sense being driven by an uncontrollable force.

I read about a young convict who thinks that human conduct is similar to that of the salmon. Referring to the murders he committed and to his own fate, he said, "Things just happen." He thinks some kind of force was responsible for his pulling the trigger and killing two people. But he is wrong. Man is free and cannot blame his sinful actions on an uncontrollable force such as instinct.

More than 2,500 years ago, some Israelites were using a similar excuse for their sin. They quoted a well-known proverb that placed the blame for their sins on their ancestors (Ezekiel 18:2). But God told them they were wrong. 

He said that a good man will not be punished for the sins of a wicked son. Nor will a godly son be punished for the sins of his evil father.

Make no mistake. No matter what your situation, you are responsible for what you do. Stop offering excuses for your sins. Instead, acknowledge your guilt to God and accept the forgiveness He offers (Psalm 32:5). That's the first step in exercising your individual responsibility. 

Once free of guilt and blame we can move on and do the will of God.

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Two Irishmen were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.
A blonde walks by and asks what they are doing.

She Then walked off.
Mick: "Ain't that just like a blonde! We need the height and she gives us The length."

TO BE SURE!

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But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33. References from Proverbs 2:1-22.

A very unusual Olympics was held in Chicago a few years back. Like most athletic competitions, participants came from all over to see how far they could jump, swim, and run. All the participants, however, were dogs jumping, swimming, and running after a ball!

There's an analogy to wisdom here. When a dog pursues a ball, it's as if nothing else in the world matters, or even exists. Proverbs encourages us to pursue wisdom with this same intensity.

Proverbs 2:1-4 stresses this. First, the child is told to accept the parent's words, implying that receptivity is key. Next, the hearer is told to store up wisdom, to turn one's ears and apply one's heart, and to pursue wisdom like hidden treasure. All this shows that seeking God's wisdom takes real effort... but it's more than worth it, because it brings understanding of the fear of the Lord.

Fearing the Lord means respecting Him for who He is, the only One who gives physical and spiritual life. By seeking wisdom, we grow closer to Him and enjoy His protection (v6-8). We also experience a life characterized by rightly relating and speaking to others (v9-10). And as we become more like Him, our own lives reflect these same qualities.

Wisdom protects us from a wasted life. Verses 12-22 give us examples to avoid through warnings about deception and seduction. These two snares are personified as an untruthful man and an unfaithful woman. The deceiver (v12-15) uses perversity to get what he wants. He's a smooth talker lurking in the shadows!

The seductress also uses the power of words to promise life, but she delivers death. She lacks commitment, both to her husband and to the Lord. What a contrast these two are to our Saviour, who is always truthful and always faithful!

Wisdom also keeps us on the path that leads to life (v20-22). In the Old Testament, dwelling securely in the Promised Land foreshadowed eternal life in the New Testament. This promise is given to those who seek God, but it's kept from those who reject Him.