In today’s devotional we notice Solomon’s invitation for his son to pursue godly wisdom.
Proverbs 2:1-4 – “My son, if thou wilt receive [take away; grasp] my words [speech], and hide [lay up; hoard; treasure] my commandments [law; precepts] with thee; 2 So that thou incline [hearken; hear] thine ear unto wisdom [spiritual insight and discernment], and apply [extend; bend; stretch out] thine heart [mind; seat of thoughts and affections] to understanding [reason; discretion]; 3 Yea, if thou criest [call; bid; summon] after knowledge [understanding], and liftest up [deliver; yield; give] thy voice [cry; call] for understanding [reason; discretion; insight]; 4 If thou seekest [desire; enquire; search] her as silver [money], and searchest [seek diligently; search out] for her as for hid treasures [riches];”
Solomon expresses his longing for his son to seek godly wisdom and heed his father’s counsel in eight exhortations: 1) receive – Hear, consider, ponder his father’s words; 2) hide – Treasure his father’s commandments and spiritual precepts as one who inherits and treasures gold, silver, and precious stones; 3) Incline – Hear and heed his father’s spiritual insight and discernment; 4) Apply – Bend your heart and will to spiritual reason and instruction; 5) cry after knowledge — make knowledge and wisdom the focus of your thoughts and affections; 6) lift up your voice for understanding — give reason and spiritual discretion a voice; 7) “seek her” – seek, search and enquire after godly wisdom with the discipline the world pursues and hoards silver; 8) “search after” wisdom with the discipline and diligence of one who pursues hidden treasures.
There are no “Wisdom for Dummies” books on the market. Wisdom does not come through a one-time reading of a book or attending church services [although that is a wise and faithful thing to do]. Godly wisdom comes to those who discipline and dedicate themselves to seek God with all their heart (James 1:5; Isaiah 55:6, 8-9); it is a lifelong pursuit demanding diligence and discipline. What is the reward to those who dedicate their lives to pursue and follow godly wisdom?
Proverbs 2:5-6 – “Then shalt thou understand [perceive; discern; consider] the fear [reverential worship] of the LORD [Jehovah] , and find [acquire; take hold of] the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth [grants] wisdom [spiritual insight and discernment]: out of his mouth cometh knowledge [moral perception; knowledge of good and evil] and understanding [reason; discretion].”
Two spiritual trophies are the reward of those who pursue godly wisdom and heed instruction: 1) They acquire a reverential fear and knowledge of the Lord; 2) The Lord grants them godly wisdom and discernment. Sadly, few Christians have the longing and discipline to know God personally and intimately.
Like the light of a lighthouse pierces the fog and darkness of the night to guide ships to safe harbor, the wisdom imparted by the study of God’s Word serves as “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
My friend, let’s dedicate our hearts, minds, thoughts and affections to the diligent pursuit of godly wisdom!
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith