2:1 – My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you
2:2 – So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
2:3 – Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,
2:4 – If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures;
2:5 – Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
As I read these verses, I thought of my dad. In 2012, he won his race here and went home to the winners’ circle. It was right after Thanksgiving.
I loved my dad (and I still do). He was one of my heroes (and he still is). He was kind, smart, funny, insightful, and wise. He lived a life of integrity. He loved my mom, my brothers, and me. He was truly successful in life.
He was a great role model, and he had great advice. He was one of the best advisors I could ever have on this earth. And, he was willing to give me his best stuff for free!
BUT, I had a hard time taking his advice when I got it. Not because of his delivery, but because (usually) it meant I had to change.
Reading these verses reminded me: Taking advice is not the same as getting advice.
God doesn’t give us Wisdom, but He says if we will:
- Receive my words;
- Treasure my commands;
- Incline your ear;
- Apply your heart;
- Cry out;
- Lift up;
- Seek as silver;
- Search..as for hidden treasures,
THEN you will understand.
Hmmmm…makes me wonder. Salvation is a free gift, while acquiring Wisdom requires humility and action.
THAT explains a lot about this world, doesn’t it?
