tablets of human hearts

“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.

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)

Reflection
I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want to be a fool. We have enough of those in the world. So, how do I keep from being one?
The Proverb spells it out pretty clearly. It starts with fearing the Lord.
But what does that mean?
The dictionary defines fear as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous. Is God dangerous? Are we to be afraid? Tremble?
A look through Scripture makes it seem so. Old Testament frequently uses the word fear when talking about how we’re to approach God.
The thesaurus gives us other words for fear: trepidation, dread, consternation, dismay, distress. Is that what God wants from us? To quiver and quake in our shoes, like the Israelites at the foot of Mt. Sinai?
Seems kind of odd. We like Scripture passages with pleasant emotions, like peace, joy, happiness. But not unpleasant words, like fear. It’s my experience that in our society today, any unpleasant emotion or word needs to be done away with. At all cost. Fearing the Lord comes across as archaic, medieval, even backward.
Maybe our culture has brought us to the place where the only thing we fear is not having what we want. We no longer have respect or reverence for anything besides ourselves and our own opinions. Which brings us back around to the second part of the verse: fools.
Which is not where I want to find myself.
So what if we press into this word a little. Might it reveal something we’re missing in our comfort-laden society?
The definition for fear brings to mind a scene in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where Susan asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan is safe.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “… Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
A few Bible translations use more descriptive words. The NCV calls for respect. CEV says respect and obey. The MSG uses bowing down. TLB says trust and reverence. AMP describes worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome.
It starts with fear, reverence, respect, but since God’s good, we can trust that the knowledge, wisdom and discipline He has for us is far better than our own foolish way of living.

Prayer

Lord,
Truth and knowledge start with You.
I have to admit, I’ve lived foolishly. I’ve often despised, refused, and rejected the things You’ve wanted to teach me. I’ve gone my own way, done my own thing, and have been upset when things turn into a mess. I haven’t always sought You first.
I want Your best for me. I want to know You more and to walk in truth. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a teachable heart.
Thank you that Your truth will set me free.
In the precious name of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

“These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David’s son, Israel’s king—
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—”
Proverbs 1:1-5 (MSG)

Why am I here?  What does life mean?  Where is it all going?
How can I live well? How do I know what the right course of action is?
If I’m inexperienced, where can I gain wisdom?
Where I’m experienced, what else can I learn?

Do you ever ask any of these questions?
Where might we find some answers?

I love the way The Message lays it out. Proverbs. A manual for living.
I could use that. Could you?

If so, then I invite you along this month (God willing and the creeks don’t rise, as my Grandma used to say), to explore this book of Proverbs.
With a little reflection.
And a lot of prayer.

Reflection
God’s wisdom existed before the world began. He made the earth by His power and He preserves it by His wisdom (Jeremiah 10:12). His wisdom is revealed in Christ Jesus. For our benefit, He made Jesus to be wisdom itself (1 Corinthians 1:30). In His wisdom, He created everything through Jesus (John 1:3).
We are called to be careful how we live. Not living like fools, but like those who are wise (Ephesians 5:15). If we need wisdom, God tells us to ask, because He is generous and will give it to us (James 1:5). And He does not give the world’s wisdom, because the wisdom of this world is foolishness to Him (1 Corinthians 3:19).
Instead, we find the wisdom in Christ Jesus. In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1:8).  And the wisdom we receive from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere (James 3:17).
His wisdom never ends. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen (Revelation 7:12)

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You are True Wisdom and You are ready and willing to share Your wisdom with all who seek.
I confess. I have chased after worldly wisdom. I have believed the lies the world and the enemy tells. I have relied on my own insight. I have thought I was wise in my own eyes.
But no more.  I want the wisdom you promise.  I want to know your kindness, your wisdom, and your understanding. I want the peace and goodness your wisdom brings. Please guide me on this journey.
Bring along others on this journey as well. Other wisdom seekers. Let us seek You together.
Thank you for being a generous Father and for not leaving us to our own demise, but offering us everything we need for life.
In the precious name of Jesus, from whom all wisdom flows, Amen.