Recently, I heard someone say that common sense was not so common any more. I could not agree more. I find myself scratching my head at many comments that are made outside the church, but also inside the church at times. Whatever happened to thinking things through before we offer an opinion. I find with myself that if I speak too quickly, that I often give an incorrect, or unfounded opinion. It is important for all of us to spend some time in the Word of God every day to gain the wisdom we need for the things we will face every day.
I grew up in the home of a man who did not graduate from college but had his doctorate degree in common sense. I did not know it, but my father was putting “sayings” in my life so that they would come to my mind throughout the rest of my life. Today I read some words in Psalm 34 that reminded me of some of the sayings of my dad. It was at this point that I realized that many of my dad’s famous “sayings” come from Bible truths that He was using to lead our family.
Psalm 34:13-15 says, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” When I read verse 13, I remembered my dad saying, “If you can’t say anything good about someone, don’t say anything at all.” This devotional is going to be an advertisement to all of us who have children or grandchildren that you want to influence for good.
It is important that we base the “common sense” we use to influence our children on Bible principles, not on our own wisdom. As an “older” man today, I cannot tell you how many times my fathers “sayings” come to my mind throughout a normal day. It brings a smile to my heart when this happens in difficult situations. I pause to thank God every time for giving me a foundation of biblical common sense. I am thankful for a father who spent time in the Word of God and used those truths as the foundation for our home.
I am so thankful for the last verse that I wrote for you today. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” The knowledge we need to navigate through the troubled waters of our world today is available in the Word of God. This verse touches my heart to know that God is watching us, and He is aware of what we are facing. His ears are opened to our prayers! His “common sense” is available today!