Digging For the Treasure of Wisdom

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.” (Proverbs 2:1–12, NLT)

Proverbs 2:1-12 NLT  Lays out a powerful progression – how wisdom is received and what it produces in a life that pursues it.  

Notice the language:  
“Listen……treasure…..tune your ears……concentrate……cry out…..search…..seek…..”
 Wisdom is not discovered by accident – it is intentionally pursued.  It’s never found by accident, it’s always the result of intentional pursuit.  

God does not hide wisdom from us, but He does require that we value it enough to go after it.  Just as no one stumbles upon precious stones, jewels or silver without effort, wisdom must be sought with desire, focus and persistent effort.  

There is a posture here:  
·      A heart that listens
·      A spirit that values
·      A life that pursues

Then comes the promise:  “For the Lord grants wisdom!  From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  Proverbs 2:6

Wisdom is not man-made it is God-given.  And when we seek Him through His Word, He responds by releasing insight, understanding and what Proverbs call a “treasure of common sense.”  (Which is seems like the world in lacking in these days.)  

That’s really powerful, because true wisdom is not complicated;  It’s clear, sound and steady.  It gives you the ability to navigate life with discernment and stability.  
 
And wisdom doesn’t just guide, it guards.   “He is a shield….He guards…..He protects…..Wise choices will watch over you…..Understanding will keep you safe…”. Proverbs 2:7-12
 
Wisdom becomes both your direction and your defense.  When wisdom enters your heart, it begins to shape your decisions.  And those decisions, in turn begin to shape your life.  We will start to recognize what is right, just, fair and we will walk on the right path.
 
Wisdom will even preserve you from deception, from people and voices that are twisted or misleading.  So wisdom is not just something you learn – it’s something that builds, guides, and protects your life from the inside out.    
 
Wisdom Statement:  Wisdom is a treasure for the who pursue it.  When it fills your heart, it will guide your steps, guard your life, and keep you on the path God has prepared for you.