Prov 8:10-11 says, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her."

My instruction, knowledge, wisdom, these are gained when God speaks to us. We may read it in a book or hear it in a teaching, but through some means God speaks to us.

Become a person to whom God speaks. You know there is speaking, and there is speaking? I speak at one level to my coworkers, and another to my children, and another to my wife. Who wants to become God's confidant, the one to whom He tells His secrets? Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, but His inner circle received the explanation.

The good news is, God wants this for you more than you want it for yourself.

So where do we begin? Psm 111:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." Fear the Lord folks! You wouldn't stay long where people don't respect you, don't pay attention to you, or don't listen to you. It shows they don't value your presence. We don't want God's wisdom simply for wisdom's benefits. We want wisdom because in the getting God speaks to us. We'll be WITH Him as He imparts it to us.

How I long for His presence even more than His benefits. Do you have someone who loves you only for what you can do for them? Do you have someone who simply wants to be with you? To which will you tell the things that are on your heart?

"...all who follow His precepts will have understanding..." Obedience. Being a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer. Jesus spoke of a man whose son said he'd obey and didn't, and whose other son refused to obey, then repented and obeyed. Repent and obey to the smallest detail in whatever area the Lord is speaking to you about now, and He will speak to you so you'll understand things.

"...To Him belongs eternal praise." Indeed.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2002