If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver And search for her as you would hidden treasures, Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] And discover the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:4-5, AMP
Brief Explanation on Proverbs 2:4-5
While reading Proverbs 2:4-5, my first thought was, ‘Skillful and godly wisdom? What other types of wisdom could he mean?” There are types, and we have a choice in which ones we seek.
While seeking more information on wisdom, I realized there is beneficial wisdom to follow (godly) and the one Solomon spoke of in Ecclesiastes 1:1 (worldly).
God wants to love us even more than we want to love our children. For this next part, take a moment and think of all the things you would and have already done for your child. Most of us would go to the ends of the earth for our children. That feeling- the passionate, “I’d do anything for my child” is what I picture Solomon meaning when he says to seek wisdom like it’s a hidden treasure.
We must consider the wisdom we should seek: godly wisdom. This wisdom only comes from God. By pursuing it, we naturally look for God. The first rule of treasure hunters: figure out the location. We know who has the answer; Job 28:23 tells us, “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells.” (NIV).
Wisdom lets us get an insider’s view of the character of God. One of my favorite ways I’ve heard it explained is this: Knowledge is knowing a horse can kick; wisdom is not standing behind the horse.
How to Seek Wisdom as Treasure
I thought the order in Proverbs 2:4 was interesting. First, “You will understand the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 9:10 says “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (NIV). Then Proverbs 2:5 goes on to say we will find the knowledge of God.
I believe this is where choice comes in. I tend to get stuck on seeking knowledge without examining my motives and heart (they get put on the back burner of life as I try to juggle my other priorities). I get lost and jumble up the process.
I know I’m supposed to seek wisdom and knowledge, but I don’t always examine the type of wisdom and knowledge I’m going after. Most of the time, I stop at, “This is a good thing to know.” However, I’ve learned that it’s not always beneficial just because it looks good (like dessert).
Rather than chasing after knowledge and wisdom because it’s the newest trend, I have to sit back and remember God has this treasure all in His hands. This is especially important to remember when I forget to put stress and anxiety in their place. Amazing mothers surround me, and the frequent lie that tries to sneak in is, “I don’t measure up. How can I be as great a mom as them?”
There is nowhere in the Bible where God tells us we must be like everyone else, so why is that always a struggle? When I get stuck in the rut of what I should do, and the fear of the future takes hold, the straightforward dialogue in Proverbs 2:4-5 is comforting. It tells us what to do, what to find, and the outcome.
- What to do: Seek
- What to find: Godly wisdom
- The outcome: Understanding the fear of the Lord
That right there could be the secret recipe to being a mom! Nowhere have I found that we must be like everyone else. On the contrary, John 15:19 says that God has chosen us. We’ve been set apart and are viewed as special in the eyes of our Father.
Being a mom is no easy feat; there are many choices, directions, answers- good and bad- and outcomes. It’s comforting knowing that we can find the treasure of wisdom when we seek God. There’s no need to stress about getting lost trying to seek Him since John 14:6 lays out the way. It’s Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, help me seek you without getting caught in the routine or image of what I believe I’m supposed to look like. Thank you for always being faithful and guiding me closer to where you are. Not only do I want to speak like you, Lord, but I want to actively live and do what you say. Lord, I love you and want more of you in my life. Jesus, in your mighty name, Amen.
Find more Wisdom in Proverbs for Moms devotions here.
Guest Blogger Bio
Veronica blogs at A Worshipper’s Devotional (aworshippersdevotional.wordpress.com) where she shares daily devotionals, biblical truths, and the journey of worshiping God. She wants others to know that they can have a deep, intimate connection with God through worship.