I have been praying every day for more understanding. I want wisdom and knowledge, yes, but I want them tethered to understanding. Wisdom and knowledge can feel worthless apart from understanding, even though they aren’t. The Bible makes it clear that we won’t understand everything. So, we walk the tightrope of living in wisdom and knowledge…with whatever understanding we receive. This is the space that trust and faith fills.
If you listen to constructive criticism; you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Proverbs 15:31-32
If you are like me and desire to grow in your understanding, this scripture gives us the key. We must listen to His correction. Being disciplined is mentioned in scripture multiple times too. Discipline is found in a willingness to be corrected.
To be a disciplined person I must listen. I must surrender my own will. I must be honest.
I long to grow in understanding. It’s worth it to me to be corrected.
I can remember several integral times in my life when correction from God led to big blessings. Those times led me to be transformed more into His likeness.
Foolishness is rampant on the earth. It’s almost like people wear their foolishness as a badge of honor. They live their lie and demand that others participate in it. Foolishness seems to be king in our current political and social landscape. Fools are promoted for reasons that have nothing to do with qualifications or being fit for the job. Therefore, many institutions are crumbling as they cannot be sustained in a culture of ignorance.
We need wisdom more than ever. One point of wisdom is to have peace with that which you cannot understand. And to lean into understanding that which you can. And the ability to know the difference.
We can trust God to give us wisdom in any situation. We can also trust that if He desires us to have understanding, He will also give that. But if He doesn’t then we must lean into trust.
This devotional feels like I’m circling around and around. And honestly, I am. We won’t know in any given situation whether we will be blessed with understanding until we ask. So, courage would say, “Ask and be satisfied with whatever answer you’re given.”
Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.
365 Days in the Presence 