Excerpts from Notebook 1983

Excerpts from Notebook 1983

Excerpts from 1983

Proverbs {1:22} How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs {1:29} For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD

Job {21:7} Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Job {21:14} Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Ps. {50:16} But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or [that] thou shouldest take my covenant in thy
mouth?
{50:17} Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

Prov. {2:1} My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; {2:2} So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; {2:3} Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; {2:4} If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; {2:5} Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

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What do we cry out for in our lives? When we have troubles what to we ache and long for to solve those troubles? More money, understanding? Do we wish the problems and those causing them away from our lives taking their problems with them? How often do you cry out for understanding? For knowledge? And how often during this heartfelt longing to you cry out and all the while believe that there is no understanding? That there is nothing that can help? Do we often give up before we even utter the first cry? We want simple answers, instant answers and if for one moment someone told you that the only answer is to wait the first response to that is- I don't want to wait, I want my answer now! I'm hurting, I'm troubled, I'm upset now! All I see is despair and more pain during that waiting, nothing more.

With our defeatist attitudes, with the belief that there is no real answer and that suffering is our lot in life, are we really searching for understanding and knowledge as if we were seeking a treasure? Seriously, are we? If someone told you that you could find a treasure and here is a map and instructions, you'd most likely (assuming you trust the person) do all you could do to find that treasure. Treasure hunters go to great length to get their treasures, they don't just pop up on their own waving their arms saying here I am come and get me. Those digging for treasure, those seraching for treasures often find themselves in situations that are unthinkable and yet they delve into them because they're hoping for that great reward.

God may not fix your problems if all you're doing is crying out for an instant fix, but if your heart is sincere and you are seeking Him as you would a treasure you will find a reward. Knowing God is the greatest treasure of all.

Prov. {2:1} My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; {2:2} So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; {2:3} Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; {2:4} If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; {2:5} Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

How do we seek God, to know Him? We have a book from God and this book contains many answers to our problems yet do we open it with awe at what we may find within? Do we read each word as God speaking to us, instructing us? God's word should mean so much to us and yet how often do you find yourself delving into it seeking knowledge and understanding? Most believe it a book of antiquity, meant to be read but not believed. Meant to be known but not made a real force in our lives.

Reading the Bible will not save you. Jesus alone can save. Reading the Bible is a privlege, an honor we have received from God.

We must really study for knowledge and understanding as we cry out for *things* to solve our problems. If we knew the answers were there to be found wouldn't we put our all into finding them? If someone told you they had the answers you'd pester them until they gave them to you. If there were an envelope before you containing answers you'd rip it open to read them. The truth is we live in this world and the answer is- we are not of this world. The answers we seek might not be for our lives right now. We might not be shown how to get rich quick, or how to comprehend a partner we're having trouble understanding, or find help with a child who is seeming to go astray. We will find answers, we will find knowledge and understanding of the fear of God and that is knowledge of the eternal, everlasting knowledge.

Matt. {6:33} But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. {6:34} Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

True you might go hungry, homeless, feel helpless while seeking the kingdom of God first, but the kingdom of God is everlasting, our problems here and now are not.

**

May the Lord Bless and keep us, guide us into all knowledge and give us all the understanding we need to be closer and closer to Him so that we may know Him and He know us. By the righteousness of Christ our Lord and Savior, by His mercy and His grace we pray.

Amen.