“My son, if you will receive my words and store my commands inside you, paying attention to wisdom inclining your mind toward understanding — yes, if you will call for insight and raise your voice for discernment, if you seek it as you would silver and search for it as for hidden treasure — then you will understand the fear of ADONAI and find knowledge of God. For ADONAI gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”‭‭
Proverbs ‭2:1-6‬ ‭CJB‬

Reflection
If I told you I had a map that would direct us to a place where treasure was buried (and me being a trustworthy person, you, of course, believed me), would you join me in the treasure hunt?  Would you grab your shovel, help me locate where X marks the spot, and dig beside me until we unearthed it?

A treasure hunt would be a grand adventure.
Proverbs tell us we are to live our lives as if on a treasure hunt.  A search for wisdom.  A quest for insight. A pursuit for understanding.

In Matthew 13:44, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven (we might call it God’s way to live) to treasure hidden in a field. A man finds it and, being the discerning type, reburies it, sells everything he has (I gather the treasure was worth far more than his possessions), and buys the field.

Because he desired the treasure far more than anything he already possessed.
Living the way God intends us to requires wisdom, discernment, insight, and knowledge of God and his word. It is far more valuable than anything we already know and possess. The investment is worth every second spent and every ounce of sweat exerted.

How do we gain wisdom? We start with asking. James tells us if we lack wisdom, we should ask God because he gives generously and graciously (James 1:5).
Then, we start digging. We open God’s word, the Bible, and start studying, investigating, and exploring what it says. Because it is filled with the wisdom, knowledge and understanding we seek.

Does that seem rather daunting? Not sure where to start? Might I make a recommendation?
Oak Hills Church is starting a series called The Story. It takes us on a journey of understanding God’s grand story in the Bible and how it applies to our lives.
I invite you to join us each week at oakhillschurch.com.
It promises to be a treasure chest filled with the riches we need for our lives.

So, let us say as the Psalmist says “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (Psalm 90:12 in the Message)

Prayer
God of Wisdom,
You call me to learn, to remember, to listen to the wisdom, knowledge and insight you want to give to me.
I confess, I’m not always a good student. I sometimes don’t pay attention, or I skip class, or ignore your instruction.
But I really do want to live wisely and well. Help me to listen and understand, and apply your truths to my life.
Thank you for being a patient teacher. Most of all, thank you that you want to share your storehouse of treasures with me.
In the precious name of the One who is the Logos, the Word, the Wisdom, Amen.