Thursday, June 4, 2026

           Proverbs is a book of wisdom—great wisdom that comes from the mind of God.  The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write this treasure book of wisdom many years ago.  It remains an incredible education in wisdom still today.  The opening five verses of Proverbs 2 speak to the way we acquire God’s wisdom and the benefits of gaining that wisdom.  We read, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).  We find in these verses some important truths about God’s wisdom for our lives here and now.
            First, we cannot assume that we automatically possess the wisdom of God.  We are not born with wisdom, insight and discernment from the Lord.  Three times in these five verses Solomon used the word “if.”  “If” is a small word but it implies a certain contingency. God’s wisdom is contingent upon our seeking it, accepting it, calling for it and looking for it. We are to establish some practices for acquiring God’s Wisdom.  The chief practice is spending time in God’s Word and supplementing that time with a good devotional read each day.  A thousand Bibles in your home that are never opened or studied do no good whatsoever for your heart and mind.  We have to take the initiative to open God’s Word. Acquiring God’s wisdom is like the woman in Luke 15 who searched diligently and exhaustively to find her one lost coin.
            Second, seek the wisdom of God as passionately as you might seek the material things of life.  Solomon said we are to seek wisdom as we would search for silver.  Many people seek job promotions, pay increases, bigger homes, recognition or attention.  Take the energy and passion that you would devote to these earthly and temporary things and deploy the same dedication in pursuit of what God has for you.  Seek His wisdom with intensity and commitment.  Do not assume that the treasures you seek are replacements for God’s wisdom or even substitutes that will help to produce a good and upright life. Solomon said to “apply your heart to wisdom.”  He means to be focused and dedicated to what God has for you to know and to import into your life.  Zero in like a radar on these good things that God has for you.
            Third, Solomon wrote that we are to “accept” God’s Words and “store up” His commands.  Those directions are for us.  We are to be more than hearers of the words and wisdom of God.  We are to do these things and put them into practice.  In the New Testament, James wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:22-24).  When we eagerly and joyfully put into practice the truth that God teaches us, we are guaranteed a much better life.  God’s truth has an accumulative impact upon us—the more we store up and live out what we find, the more we become like what God is making us to be. 
            Finally, Proverbs is very clear, more than once, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Simply, we are to realize there is one true God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and we are not Him.  We are to embrace His Word and ways quickly and not depart from them.  Proverbs 1:7 opens with these words, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  May we love the wisdom and instruction of the Lord—everlasting words that are always good for us.  May our pursuit of God’s Word be paramount each day.  Have a great Thursday!