S43P3 – The God of understanding: our life giver
Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.
Everybody wants to know the secrets to life. There are some industries that prey on people’s need for the unknown fixes to their issues. The weight loss industry is one of them. The self-help industry is another of them. Even in the area of the mental health we see people searching for that secret answer to give relief. Many people walk around wondering what the secret to happiness is because they have yet to really experience it in life. Regardless of the type of struggle, what we have are people who do not know how to achieve what they desire and what they see others have achieved. If we put these all together, you might say that people are simply looking for the secret to life.
There is indeed a secret to life. It is a secret because it is not something that can be known to us without revelation. Today’s passage tells us the secrets hidden in God’s understanding. This is not a single-dimensional characteristic of our Lord. His understanding is multifaceted and contains many secrets. His understanding provides life and is actually spoken of as a tree of life. She provides happiness and peace. Her ways are pleasant, and time rests in her hands. There is no price a man can put on the understanding of God because those who grow in it never stop reaping its rewards. If we want to find a gift that keeps on giving, it is the understanding of God. It is the greatest secret to be revealed to mankind.
Growing in God’s understanding means that we begin to see things for what they are. Instead of walking around with questions about who we are and why we are here and where we are going, we begin to have answers. However, we cannot merely hear of her in passing. We are told that we must take hold of her and keep her. Like the precious metals and jewels that do not compare to her value, we are to hold on to this understanding and make sure she is not lost. If we want to know the secret to this life, it rests in God’s understanding. When we grow in that, we begin to live this life as it should be lived. Father, thank You for the revelation that You give us about this life through your understanding, and make us people who refuse to let her go.