Understanding
“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding
(Prov. 2:6).”
There is an order and development in God’s salvation which most certainly leads
to confirmation of absolutes about this life.
We gain better understanding about the infinite value of our souls and are able
to place the matters of life on earth in proper priority and perspective.
The Lord Jesus teaches such principles in the following verses:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul?
Or what shall a man give
in exchange for his soul (Mk. 8:36 -37)?”
“… Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth (Lk. 12:15).”
There is, however, yet another level of understanding that is simply marvelous
-
the secret part that only He reveals to them that fear Him (Ps. 25:14).
That is, understanding and knowing Him.
Yes, the knowledge of God is a most precious and thrilling part of this
way.
An adventure truly begins when
one is given knowledge that surpasses simply everything and nothing on earth
compares!
As the scriptures
explain:
“She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not
to be compared unto her (Prov. 3:15).”
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: ... (Phil. 3:8).”
This type of understanding is absolutely fundamental to
more perfect pulpit service (Jer.
3:15).
One who professes to be
called to an office as a minister cannot most effectively dispatch such duty without
proper development in this area.
There is certainly a progression, and the Lord sums up such development
beautifully in the following:
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And
by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches
(Prov. 24:3-4).”
How marvelously marvelous this progression is! His order, His way. So we see, that wisdom is first, which initially comes through reverence to God (Prov. 9:10). Thereafter, we need to come into an understanding of God and his way. That is, become intimately acquainted with him. As admonished by the Proverb: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Prov. 4:7).” In order to reach the level of understanding, we must be obedient. This next verse stands out as I first learned it through the radio ministry of the late Dr. Robert Cooke, who emphasized the word "do" within the text:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all
they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever (Ps. 111:10).”
After the conversion experience,
some
souls do not yield to the Lord and stay with Him long enough to achieve
subsequent
stages of development.
In his parable of the sower, Jesus
describes different states of persons who hear the word (Mt. 13:
18-23).
We see that the only soul who properly develops is the one
that hears the word and “understands it”.
(I personally first noted this after receiving it
from one of our Church Elders.)
Please take a few moments right now to read the
previously referenced verses in Matthew on the parable of the sower.
Without
understanding, we don’t progress or move forward properly.
Jesus said plainly:
“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance:
but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath (Mt.
13:12).” (See also Mk. 4:25 & Lk. 8:18.)
So we can only build on what He grants us,
“For precept must be upon precept, …" (Is. 28:10).
If we try to build any other way, we endanger ourselves with loss of
whatever was gained.
So where does understanding come from?
How do we receive it?
As
provided in the first verse of this section, such knowledge only comes from God.
That is, it is only by and through Him that we receive such treasure(s):
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast
(Is. 28:9).”
This is also so beautifully expounded upon by Job in verses 12 through 28
in the 28th
Chapter of that book.
Prior to continuing, please take
time to read through and savor the depth and wonder of these verses.
With obedience comes reward.
As you
seek His kingdom and righteous (Mt. 6:33), through prayer and diligence, we
receive of Him.
Reach out to Him:
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then
shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God
(Prov. 2:4-5).”
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be
opened unto you;
(Mt. 7:7)”
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you
(Jas. 4:8). ...”
This is such a personal walk and it is personal revelation which is so very
thrilling; a one to one communication that evokes an unparalleled level of
love, devotion, and desire with and toward the creator.
Such is the true personal revelation on which the Lord Jesus Christ
builds his Church (Mt. 16:18).
This is the insight, understanding, and illumination that He personally reveals to
obedient followers who find and continually seek after Him.
It is only after
such revelation that one can truly understand the words of the Psalmist who
clearly and unequivocally declares:
“One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after; that I may dwell
in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
Lord and to inquire in his temple
(Ps. 27:4).”