SOAP 12/20/2015; Proverbs 2:3-5

Today's reading: John 7, 8*

S) "³ For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
⁴ If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
⁵ Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God."

  Proverbs 2:3-5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 2

O) Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon highlights the importance of seeking wisdom. He often personified it as a woman, who should be sought more than any treasure. In this passage, he tied together discernment and understanding, with the fear of the LORD and knowledge of God. This certainly isn't the only place this is shown, but this passage stood out because of the way it is presented as a promise. The verses begin if, if, then. So, if a fear of the LORD is the goal, and true knowledge of God is what a man wants, then it starts with sincerely asking for discernment and understanding, making it a priority.

A) There was a period of time when I was a teenager, and I was reading through the Proverbs, and I began to see this concept repeated over and over. So, I began to pray for wisdom, asking God to open my eyes. In a lot of ways, I think those dedicated prayers were answered pretty quickly. However, when I think about where my life is now, it sometimes feels like I need to fear the LORD more now, than I ever have before. The interesting thing is, I do fear Him now more than I ever have. But, it seems like the more I understand God, the more I realize I do not fear Him as much as I should. It's like the more mature I get, the more I realize how immature I still am. The stronger I get, the more I realize how weak I am. The more I fear the LORD, the more I realize I don't fear Him enough. So, the solution is to pursue wisdom now, more than ever. In my adult years, I think maybe I have asked for wisdom less and less. When I was a teenager, there was so much of my life ahead of me that was a complete mystery. Now, the closer I get to middle-aged, the less mystery seems to be in front of me, so I tend to not "feel" the need for more wisdom... But, that's foolish and prideful. There is plenty of mystery ahead of me, and I cannot let myself be blinded by pride, and therefore slow down in my pursuit of wisdom, which I know leads to a deeper fear of the LORD and knowledge of God.

P) Father, Your holiness includes the unsearchable depths of Your wisdom and understanding. I know enough to know I still don't know enough. I confess that I have been foolish and arrogant and prideful, to not ask for wisdom like I did in my youth. I still need Your guidance very much, Lord. Please give me discernment and understanding, so I can be a better servant, husband, and dad. Open my eyes and ears God, to increase in wisdom in Jesus Christ. I know that it is through the working of the Holy Spirit, that I can have true knowledge of Your ways, God. That is what I desire. I want to be sure that I am as reverent as I possibly can be before You, Lord. Let me humble myself before You, so that You receive all glory and honor and praise. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.