Daily Reading: 4-28-16
Proverbs 2:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
Sometimes asking for things is difficult, but God clearly desires that we would ask for wisdom. In the Old Testament, wisdom is broken down and described in levels. At one level, we can connect wisdom with skilled arts (weavers, architects, goldsmiths, etc). Another level of wisdom is described as an insight into life and offering ways of dealing with life issues. At still another level, wisdom is described as applied truth to the lives of men and women who represent a way of thinking and conduct that is orderly, socially sensitive, and morally upright. In the New Testament, wisdom is filled with the elements of practical advice for Christian Living. Jesus Christ is our role model and God has caused him to be revealed wisdom for us.
The Benefits of Wisdom
2
My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2
Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
Gaining wisdom requires action on my part; it also means change. In our passage, I see verbs like listen, treasure (value), concentrate, ask, and search in relationship to God. If I am willing to apply these actions to my life, I can understand what it means to fear the Lord and to gain knowledge of God. The fear of the Lord is a very positive attitude; it basically means we have such a reverential respect for the Lord it breaks our heart to do anything that displeases Him. The fear of the Lord is the proper response to our Creator and Redeemer. Wisdom causes us to observe a humble posture of learning before our all-powerful Lord, so we can become more like our Maker in whose image we have been made.
Prayer: Lord, I desire to apply the truth of Your heart and will to my life. Today, I will be listening, giving value to Your Word, taking time to concentrate on its message, asking when I don’t understand, and searching for a deeper place in Your love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.