Born To Be Battered

Proverbs 2:1-5 

King James Version (KJV) 

2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 

During a time of extreme distress Job asked this question: “"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?” (Job 28:12) The answer for Job was that all wisdom comes from God. Solomon gives us some more specifics on wisdom. 

Wisdom is far more than simply learning a new fact, or a new skill. Wisdom goes beyond simple knowledge, or discernment and incorporates using sound judgment.  

The 2013 Vacation Bible School theme was that of a theme park called Colossal Coaster World. Using the backdrop of a super extreme roller coaster called the Terminator 3000 we followed the adventures of a young boy who was trying to overcome his fear of roller coasters. The scripture used throughout the week was: 

2 Timothy 1:7 

King James Version (KJV) 

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Other translations use the phrase “sound judgment” at the end of this verse. The question for us then becomes where do we acquire sound judgment? Solomon reveals to us that wisdom comes from the words of God. 

Many Christians spend far too little time in the Word of God. We might bring it to church, or lay it on the coffee table for a decoration, but do we really immerse ourselves in the study of God’s word? 

An old advertisement for the yellow pages carried this text: Born to be battered...the loving phone call book. Underline it, circle things, write in the margins, turn down page corners, the more you use it, the more valuable it gets to be.  

How much would our wisdom, including the part about sound judgment, increase if that advertisement were for the Holy Bible? The more we study His word, the greater our wisdom becomes. 

Dear God, instill in me a burning desire to study your word. Open my eyes to your word, and the wisdom it imparts. Amen