The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NIV
As a child, it's likely your parents read to you. You would sit on their laps with a board book. At first, you did not yet understand the words but enjoyed the intimacy of the bonding moment and were intrigued by the bright, colorful pictures. Soon, though, the words became connected with the images. The round red thing was an "Apple," which begins with the letter "A," continuing through the alphabet until you got to the striped horse, "Zebra," and the letter "Z." By the time you began kindergarten, you knew your ABC's and prepared to expand of these basics.
All learning starts with the basics. The fact that you are reading this is proof you conquered your ABCs. Our spiritual growth is no different. Respect for who God is and what he does for us is as fundamental to our spiritual understanding as the ABCs. So from that starting point of belief, we can grow. Said another way, denying God exists is like trying to read without knowing the alphabet; it can't be done. It is like focusing on the printed page and not being able to comprehend it.
While it's hard to believe, some choose to live in spiritual illiteracy. These are the fools the proverb mentions. However, others simply don't know. For some reason, their spiritual literacy has been ignored, and they are hungry to learn the ABCs; they desire knowledge of God. As people who benefit from this knowledge, it is our job to teach and encourage. To be patient as a parent teaching a child.
Gracious Father, we acknowledge you as the architect of all we see. You created the heavens and earth and populated it with all living things. When man sinned, you did not leave us to despair but offered us a new covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ, and you gave us the Holy Spirit to lead us in righteous paths. We thank you for all this and pray that we may continue to grow in your knowledge. Increase our understanding of what you desire of us. Fill us with mercy, compassion, and patience as we share our knowledge of you with others. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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