Do You Treasure Wisdom?

"My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Prov. 2:1-5, ESV).

This passage contains a lot of "ifs."  Each "if" reminds us that the outcome is not guaranteed apart from diligent labor and careful study.  If we will receive sound instruction and treasure it in our hearts, then we will get understanding.  If we force our ears to hear and bend our hearts toward obedience, then we will know God.

God will not permit a half-hearted search to yield great treasure.  In fact, the Lord knows we won't search for him at all.  He must search for us and place in us a new heart.  The new heart the Lord gives, through the gospel, causes us to yearn after him with earnestness.  It makes our souls pant for him as for streams of water.

The new heart causes us to hang on his words as a child on the words of their beloved father.  We want to search them out, because he reveals himself to us, through his Word.  "Abba, Father," is the cry of our hearts as we yearn for his presence.

Thus, the desire he birthed in our hearts, he fulfills with his presence.  He invites us to know him, and to be known by him.  He invites us, as beloved children, to sit at his feet and learn from him.  He says, "My child, incline your ear to your Father, and hear the wisdom he speaks.  Seek me and you will find me.  I Love you with all my heart, love me, too." 

When it comes to knowing God and doing his will, we must approach the task as if we were on the trail of the greatest treasure ever.  For that is exactly what we seek--our precious Savior.  This pursuit of God is wisdom.  Insight into heavenly matters compels us to pursue them no matter what it costs, because we know that a disobedient life would cost us more.  Do you treasure wisdom?  If so, turn your ear toward Word of your Father, and heed his instruction.