Devotion for July 24, 2008

Wisdom Must Be Sought

“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, [And] apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, [And] lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as [for] hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; [He is] a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity [and] every good path.” (Proverbs 2:1-9 NKJV)

Searching the deep things of God is not a matter of casually reading a passage of Scripture. “O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this” (Psalms 92:5-6 NKJV).

Understanding the fear of the Lord comes only after serious searching. So many want to know the will of God, but are unwilling to seek. However, the passage is clear; you must seek her as silver and search for her as hidden treasures.

For example what does it mean that the Lord stores up sound wisdom for the upright? Imagine a large warehouse full of all the things you could ever want. Only, the Lord has not stored up things, but knowledge piled to the very roof of the place. If you had such knowledge, would you make the foolish mistakes you do now? Of course you would not.

So what does this seeking look like? Perhaps a list that characterizes a successful seeker will suffice.

1. Contrition
“The LORD [is] near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18 NKJV)

2. Humility
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;” (Psalms 139:23 NKJV)

3. Diligence
“The soul of a lazy [man] desires, and [has] nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” (Proverbs 13:4 NKJV)

4. Responsive
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 NKJV)
“(for not the hearers of the law [are] just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;” (Romans 2:13 NKJV)

5. Meditative
“Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV)

My dear friends we often tread uncertain paths. However, the one who understands the fear of the Lord is protected by God. He is his shield, and guards the way of His saints. Please give yourself to study diligently God’s truths. Don’t just read, but read and ask for understanding. Ask God to show you how your reading relates to life. Let Him have free access to your whole heart to root out all bitterness and sin. Then you will know Him better. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord.