Knowledge

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."Proverbs 9:10 NRSV

Where and how do we seek knowledge? Usually, this means years of discipline and dedication to an area of interest. Some have a thirst for knowledge, seeking to learn everything they can about a wide variety of subjects. King Solomon was known as one of these. Come to think about it, he would have been a reigning champion on Jeopardy (intentional pun). Sometimes, though we are tempted by conventional wisdom, things widely accepted but aren't necessarily true. American writer and humorist Samuel Clemmons said, "The trouble with the world is not that people know too little; it's that they know so many things that just aren't so."

Today's verse speaks to practical and spiritual wisdom. We can find the answers to all of the universe’s questions -- temporal and eternal -- at only one source, God the Creator. Like all other studies, the pursuit of the knowledge of the Holy One consists of discipline, a spiritual one. God grants us insight through the gift of the Holy Spirit, but that gift needs to be used. In studying the only written source of God we have, his divine Word in the Bible, we grow in knowledge. Through prayer and meditation, we hone that insight. We come to understand what is truly important and what is really so.

God, we come before you today with respect and awe. You who created all things have given us the mental faculties to obtain knowledge. We freely confess sometimes, we gather much useless knowledge and ignore what is truly important. We omit that which is heavenly and eternal. Father, help us this day as we read your word, and meditate on their meaning to develop Godly insight. Fill us with real knowledge, and guide us in using that to walk righteously and seek justice for all. In the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.

Peace,

Pastor Tim