0 In Faith/ Faith

Searching for Wisdom and Finding God

As we wrap up reading through Proverbs for a month, I wanted to share some final thoughts. Not like final final. But like temporarily final. Because ladies, we reserve the right to circle back. At any occasion. To revisit. And we will. Because there will always be more to glean from this book of the Bible… And therefore more to discuss.

So, here are some finalish thoughts…

Abundance over Advice

Proverbs 23 warns us of the deceptive messages and longings of the culture in which we live. We are advised to resist the empty allure of greed and power and temptation. Which, promises satisfaction and self-worth… something it CAN NOT deliver. Instead, we are urged to pursue what is wise. (Proverbs 23:23)

The path to this wisdom and ultimately our satisfaction and self-worth, at it’s core… is two things. It is a genuine relationship with Jesus AND a general habit of studying His Word.

For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,

Proverbs 8:35

Just gaining knowledge is incomplete. Knowing God, by following Jesus, is where knowledge and the Holy Spirit meet. Then, supernaturally, give birth to wisdom and understanding.

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Proverbs 2:6

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 14:26

God’s desire for us is abundance and a life beyond just knowing the best advice or trending life hacks. He desires a relationship with you and me. If you have ever loved someone then you have grasped a glimmer of God’s devotion. You understand the longing to be with, know, and enjoy that loved one. Precious people, this is our God! He formed our very selves and loves us more than we could fathom.

As we pursue wisdom, let’s cultivate the habit of meeting with God. Pulling away and praying. Reading over His truth. Becoming mindful of this place where we gain much more than knowledge… where we experience the sacred. It’s here, where we walk with Him through the impossible or the heartbreaking or the unknown, that He supplies strength and mercy and peace.

Freedom over Fretting

Jesus said to those who had believed him,

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:31-32

How ‘bout a little freedom trending?

Rejecting the constant pursuit of more…more stuff, status, or success. Reaching instead for Jesus and just how good He is. We will never experience the fulness of life available to us in Jesus if our hope is in this world.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10

This freedom does not entitle us to avoid work. Working hard has been an esteemed trait throughout this entire book of wisdom. However, here in chapter 23 we are asked to lift the veil of hard work and examine what is underneath. What are we working for. If it’s for riches, it will be fleeting. (Proverbs 23:4-5) (Proverbs 11:28) If it is in search of significance, it will disappoint. (Proverbs 22:1)

What is the why behind our working? Y’all, I have been challenged to ask myself this very thing as we have read through Proverbs together. I have learned that if we worship the work or the resulting wealth or status we will end up depleted and desperate for more.

Satisfaction in our Striving

Only God Himself
Who He says we are
And what He has called us to
Will be satisfying to our souls and bring contentment to our hearts

I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Proverbs 8:17

This means running hard after Jesus as we live and work where He’s planted us. Whether that looks like tackling laundry, changing dirty diapers, being a faithful friend, working behind the scenes, raising humans, or running a business.

God has given us His truth to combat the clamoring voices of a broken world. What we sow in the silent places of our time with God will reap a harvest in the loudness of daily life.

The path to wisdom and our soul’s satisfaction is knowing God by knowing His word.