Understanding

Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV)
"My son, if you accept my words and store 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."

 Many people who search for hidden treasures spend their whole life dedicated to that sole purpose, and many still fail to find what they are searching for. Those who are truly committed, typically think about it all of the time. It consumes their thoughts, and they center their lives around the treasure they are searching for. We have a treasure to chase far greater than that of what they seek. In chapter one of proverbs Solomon states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." There is a different in just doing something and understanding why we do it.

 We are called to apply our heart to understanding, meaning to be passionate about it. We are called to call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding. Here you can look at it a couple ways, one you are asking others, this could be elders, deacons, preachers, mentors, etcetera and the other would be calling out to God, praying to him and asking for the understanding. I would say it is saying that both should be done. Then to search for it as a hidden treasure. We are to be passionate, prayerful, inquisitive, and consumed by God and his word. 

 There are many situations that we do not understand.  If we are passionate, prayerful, inquisitive, and consumed by God and his word, I believe he will grant us understanding. 

 Challenge: Apply this approach to an area that you are finding tough to understand. 

 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)

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