The Pilgrim Path---Proverbs 2: 1 – 8

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

“FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM…”

The LORD feeds birds, but even birds must “go out” looking for food. Hmmm---The LORD gives wisdom---but we must pursue it, by the grace of God---within the confines of Holy Scripture:

v. 1---we need to receive the Word---even when it seems “contrary” to our nature---or the spirit of the age. Why would we do that? For it is the very Word of God!

v. 1---we must treasure the Word daily. We must function as though it is necessary to our very existence---Because it is necessary to our very existence!

v. 2---we are to be attentive to the Word. Am I inclining my heart toward it? When it speaks to specific areas of sin in my life---Am I ready to “turn” from sin---for Jesus’ sake?

v. 3---we are to “cry out” to the LORD for insight and understanding---when we come to the text…Has this been my experience? Asking Jehovah-Jesus for mercy and help---HE begins to help us get into the Word…

v. 4---we are to “seek” the LORD and the “life” HE gives “in” the Word---HOW do we “seek” Him? The Holy Spirit says, “like treasure.” In doing this---we will begin to understand what it is to walk with the Living Christ in every area of life. At the fitness center where I try to exercise, there is a saying painted on the wall, “PUSH YOURSELF---NO ONE ELSE WILL DO IT FOR YOU”----In terms of the “spiritual discipline” of being “in” Scripture, NO one else---is going to be able to do this for YOU. You are going to have to do this by yourself---with the Holy Spirit’s assistance. It IS worth the investment. Slog it out…a little bit at a time! Day in---day out!

“Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul….” Proverbs 2: 9, 10----The Living Christ has the Word “begin” to penetrate our being---often we are unaware---But it begins to change us…

HOW TO READ YOUR BIBLE / F. B. MEYER

---Read your Bible---not as a newspaper, but as a letter from home.

---If a cluster of heavenly fruit hangs within reach, gather it.

---If a promise lies upon the page as a bank check, cash it.

---If a prayer is recorded, appropriate it, and launch it as a feathered arrow from the bow of your desires.

---If a truth is revealed in all its intrinsic splendor, entreat that its brilliance may ever irradiate the hemisphere of your life like a star.

From John Duncan: We think of self-application instead of Christ-application…It is man’s duty to study the Word prayerfully. To purge by it is God’s work.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason