This is the fifth in a series of blogs on The Good News as a part of the Armor of God.
As you have probably been thinking by now, it takes a commitment of time, energy, and discipline to study God's word and learn about Him. Making God the focus of your learning means that other things must be put aside. Consider how you spend your time now. What activities are you involved in? If you continue in these activities will you have the time needed for meaningful study of God's word and fellowship with other believers in your pursuit of the knowledge of God? If not, you must make time management choices if the knowledge of God is what you now want (remember Proverbs 2:4).
So, you might ask, if I must give up one or more activity that is important to me so that I can spend quality time growing in my knowledge of God, what's in it for me? If you are honest, this is a very selfish response. And in the greatness of God's being and the vastness of His total creation, all of which are beyond discovery, it is incomprehensible that anyone would dare stand before God and say, "Why should I learn about you? What's in it for me?" I sometimes wonder why God doesn't reach down and smack some sense into us and demand the reverence He so clearly deserves. But in God's infinite wisdom and tolerance He permits it. In fact, He anticipated our selfish question and provides many answers to it in His word. This is Good News! We find several of these answers in Proverbs 2:9-19.
In Proverbs 2:9 we are told, “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.” Isn't this what everyone wants? To understand the right course of action in every situation. The more we grow in our knowledge of God the more we see every situation through His perspective. His word is the instruction manual for our lives. If we follow it, He will direct our path as He intended.
In Proverbs 2:10-11 we are told, “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” The more we grow in our knowledge of God the more we understand His wisdom. His wisdom will guide us and give us confidence in every situation.
In Proverbs 2:12-15 we are told, “Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.” The more we grow in our knowledge of God the more we understand the consequences of our worldly relationships and actions. His wisdom will alert us to stay away from compromising friendships and business relationships that could harm us and our families.
In Proverbs 2:16-19 we are told, “Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave. The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.” The more we grow in our knowledge of God the more we understand the consequences of our lustful desires. His wisdom will alert us to stay away from immoral places and avoid compromising relationships that could embarrass us and infect us with disease.
As we venture through the complexities of life and relationships, what could be better than an experienced creator to guide us; shaken not stirred.
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All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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