I am only on Day 1 of Week 1, and already the Lord is speaking to me! After dissecting this Scripture, this is how I wrote it out for me to completely get it:
"If (conditional) you (up to you) look (seek with a relentless pursuit) for it (wisdom: seeing things from God's perspective so you can respond appropriately) like silver (important) and search (to examine because it wants to be found) for it (wisdom) like hidden (mystery: truth previously hidden but now Divinely revealed) treasure (valuable), then (as a results) you will (not might but will) understand (comprehend) the fear of the Lord (the greatness of His holiness, righteousness, and justice) and find (lay hold of) the knowledge (intimate familiarity) of God. " Proverbs 2:4&5
You know what the Lord revealed to me? That right now, in the circumstances I find myself in with my family, my future, our ministry, I have not once asked God to reveal to me His perspective, His truth about them.... I have certainly had MY perspective of them and what I think should happen or what I think I need to remedy , solve, etc. them, but not once have I said, "Lord, how do you feel about them? What do you want me to see about them? How do you want me to walk in them in light of what you think about them?"...ouch!
Now couple this Scripture with Proverbs 1:7 which says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Look at the awesome progression:
As I relentlessly pursue seeing things from God's perspective so that I will then respond appropriately and authentically, I begin to see God's overwhelming perfection, holiness, justice, and righteousness which absolutely begins to humble me and cause me to bow before His authority and Lordship over my life (as He is the supreme authority, most holy and knowledgeable One who knows better than anyone what I need), and then, I find myself in a more and more intimate relationship with the One who is showing Himself real in my life....
But fools despise wisdom and discipline....fools: "arrogant, self-sufficient people who order their own lives as if there were no God." Have you acted like a fool? Have you behaved like you had all of the answers without seeking God's wisdom about them? I know I have....
Oh God, that I would relentlessly pursue You, Your wisdom and perspective in all things, so that I will know how to respond correctly to them. Thank You that as I pursue You, You promise that I will see you as Isaiah did (6:1) and humble myself before Your holiness and thus bow to Your deserving authority in my life. And as I see Your love for me and Your concern to help me, how can I not but see Your heart and grow in loving intimacy with You? God help me to get there, and stay there.....and help my authentic friends do the same. In the name of Jesus I ask, amen.
As I begin the study and read the accompanying scriptures, I am reminded of all of the times I've know that I needed to delve deeper into the Word and into my prayer life to find God's will and direction for my life. During those times, so often I have found myself just shutting down, because searching and seeking might cause me to find answers that were completely contrary to my flesh. Therefore, if I didn't search fervently, I didn't have to hold myself accountable for knowledge unattained. It is this type of fear and complacency that Satan relishes. When I stop seeking after God's heart, Satan enjoys victory in my life.