The Beginning of Knowledge

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7

Based on the contents of my last post, it may be fairly obvious that I am in desperate need of wisdom and have been seeking discernment on where to go next in my life.

Enter God.

While in college, I attended Willow Creek Community Church and, even though I no longer live in the Chicago area, I still try to watch the sermons via the internet or listen to a podcast. The leadership there has decided to do a series on Proverbs. 11 weeks in the book that is saturated in wisdom for the purpose of discernment, among other things!

When I heard that 2 weeks ago, all I could think was "Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus! Let's do this!"

In other words, "What perfect timing."

I have decided that I will read the book of Proverbs in conjunction with the series at Willow. Honestly my intake of Scripture has been sparse at best over these past few months. I can't think of a better way to get myself back into the necessary habit and spiritual discipline of mediating on the Word.

As I begin my journey in Proverbs, three themes identified in the first seven verses of the book stand out to me. The book seeks to:

           1. Help you understand that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
                     
                       2. Help you be discerning and get guidance 

                               3.  Help you acquire a disciplined life

In his first sermon in this series, Hybels alluded to a question in the text that hit home for me.

"How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"  Proverbs 1:22

Something about our fallen human condition drives us to scorn wisdom and knowledge. We find delight in the frivolous and the shallow. Proverbs chapter one verse thirty-two warns that the "waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."

How seriously do we take these warnings?
How many of us are willingly walking down a path that is leading us to destruction?

As I continue on this journey, I am expectant of the ways the Holy Spirit will move in my life. I anticipate His guidance and direction. I long for wisdom and discernment.

God, may I seek after wisdom recognizing that you are it's source.