Benefits that Last

Proverbs 2

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

2 making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

3 yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

4 if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding

If . . .

Note the VERBS

Getting wisdom involves:

Openness - retention - hearing - applying - requesting - diligence

This all suggests a movement toward God

What does God want from you?

To obey from the heart.

Effort

Are you serious about wisdom?

If wisdom comes from God, are you pursuing him?

Do you ask yourself when making decisions what it is that would bring

God glory? Or, what would he want you to do?

Do you observe others? Yourself? (The decisions you make)

Do you believe that God’s way is really the wise way?

For . . .

You will gain UNDERSTANDING

This is not something magical

Transformed mind

Fear of the Lord

Wise choice upon wise choice

Student of life

What do wise people do?

Slow down I the decision making process

How to live life

I was listen to a message yesterday on a completely different subject. It was based on a bill board the read -

Life is short - have an affair

In that message the pastor defined freedom. Freedom is really not being able to do whatever you want. It is the ability to do what is good.

His father and his affair.

My friend, God is trying to keep you from that.

Look further at what this text says . . .

God will PROTECT YOU

God protects - or wisdom protects - those who pursue wisdom and the are characterized by being upright, people of integrity - godly ones.

Then . . .

You will be protected from evil men

You will be protected from the wayward way

Wayward way is personified by the immoral woman

Sometimes you have to ask what a phrase meant in its context back then to understand what it would mean today.

Dwell in the land

Get kicked out