Verses 1-5 tell us how we can understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. This is a clear answer to anyone who asks how to seek the knowledge of God. And I myself have been asking this question. I want to fear the Lord and have this knowledge. These verses say, "If you take my words to heart and treasure my commands within you, if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding, if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding, if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and you will find the knowledge of God" (GWT). Verse six says where this understanding and knowledge come from: from the mouth of the Lord. This gives me so much comfort. I can stop seeking out things of this world for answers. Though I never really realized just how much I seek things of this world, I know that I do. Though I don't greed money or popularity or other things like that, I still try to find answers through non-biblical things. But these first few verses tell me that I can stop searching elsewhere. I just need to turn to God and He will speak this understanding and wisdom.
Verse twelve really speaks to me because of what I know of evil. It says, "Wisdom will save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things." I know all too well the power of evil. But this verse brings a promise that wisdom will save me. Evil has no power over me.
Verses 20-22 end this chapter with a charge: "So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people. Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it. But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it."
What I love about Proverbs is the clear difference between righteous people and evil people. From the wise and the foolish. Within those last two verses, it outlines the vast difference between the "decent people" and the "wicked people." I don't know how anyone can read through Proverbs and still have a question about what may be right or wrong. After reading this passage, it is clear where I can get this understanding, knowledge, and wisdom I have been so longing for.
I had a huge wake-up call on Sunday. I realized that my priorities are not right. I oftentimes put God on the back burner when life gets busy with school, work, and even ministry. Yet I have had this hunger to grow closer to God. I had felt stuck for a long time about how in the world I could ever get close to God. But on Sunday it hit me: spend time in His Word and in prayer. If I just spend time with Him and draw near to Him, He will draw near to me. And that is what I so desire for my life.
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