Find Life and Peace

“³⁵For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the Lord,”

— Proverbs 8:35 (ESV)

Again, I am in chapter 8 of Proverbs which is titled “The Blessings of Wisdom”. Here we are hearing wisdom speak to us and we are gaining from her. Above, she tells us that when we find her, we find life and favor from the LORD. Boy is she correct.

You see, we are not defined by what is happening to you in the moment, it is how you deal with it and what happens next. We will all be subjected to things happening in our lives. Some of those will be good and some not so good. It is how we proceed next that defines us. We can choose to be defeated and act as such, or we can choose to just get on with things and realize that was just a moment and the next moment is yet to come.

When we choose defeat, we choose to be a victim. It is difficult to move forward when we are feeling sorry for ourselves. Yet, when we choose to get on with things and realize that moment of challenge as just a moment, we are moving forward with and in life.

Wisdom gives us life in that we are able to just move on with things realizing the moment. When found, wisdom provides our way forward and way through and way out. We are not sitting and dwelling on the defeat, we are moving on to the next. We find a life after and not just what we experienced before.

Wisdom also gives us peace. Peace to know that we are not stuck in whatever situation we are in. We have comfort in knowing that life goes on after. We are anxious for what is next, but we do not worry for what comes we accept it and move forward with it.

Lori and I have our son Aarron who is deployed with the US Navy. I have not seen him since Christmas and Lori has not since March. Are we concerned for him and his safety, yes. Are we worried for what is next, no. You see, this is the life he chose and we are wise enough to know that. We have met the challenge of the moment and look forward to what is next. We are at peace with where he is and what he is doing and what God has in store for him. We are anxious for his return and looking forward to when we get to see him and hug his neck again, but we are able to move forward with life and have peace with all that comes.

Wisdom is not just something that provides for our ability to conduct tasks. Wisdom provides for our full state. When we find her, we find life and peace.

What do you find with wisdom? Are you satisfied with the ability to conduct things? What if you were to see and accept that when you find wisdom, you find life and peace?

Wisdom Gives

That’s right, wisdom gives. We do not just receive.

“¹⁷I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.”

— Proverbs 8:17 (ESV)

Those who love us tend to give of themselves to ensure that we have what we need. We do the same for those we love. Above is wisdom speaking. Notice love is given and received. And, not only that but there is a genuineness to the love and what is given and received.

“¹⁸Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

¹⁹My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

²¹granting an inheritance to those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.”

— Proverbs 8:18-21 (ESV)

We have to be careful when we think about the tangibleness of that which is given and received. When you quickly read verse 18 above, we have the idea that our lives will be filled with riches and wealth thanks to wisdom. The reality is that we gain the ability for those things. I know for myself, I seek wisdom and can say that to some degree I have been successful in finding it. But that said, I am not a wealthy man by monetary standards. Oh, I am not poor, but I do not have millions stored up. Even though, I have wealth that cannot be measured by societal standards.

I have been told that others are envious of my desire to learn, and more so my dissatisfaction with my process of learning when they can see that I have and do more learning than they can/are doing themselves. I thank them for their kindness and still internally I am still seeking wisdom every day. Not to get rich monetarily, but get rich in learning of and for the LORD.

You see, when we are seeking wisdom, we are able to find her. Why, because she wants to be found by those who are diligent in their seeking. Look back at verse 17 above and remember that it is wisdom speaking, who loves those who love it. And wisdom gives riches to those who find her.

What are you receiving? Are you seeking riches in the world and not getting? What if you were to shift your seeking to wisdom and when found, realize the riches she gives?

Find and Gain from Wisdom

We are pretty good at finding things when we are looking for them. Those things, when found, deliver some satisfaction, but generally that satisfaction is fleeting and minimal in lasting impact.

Notice the verbiage there in the above, looking for things. Thing are tangible what we get from them are fleeting as noted. But, intangible things we seem to seek as opposed to look for. Wisdom is one of those things that we should be seeking. We should have a deep desire to acquire wisdom for it is that which keeps on giving beyond the now.

“¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.”

— Proverbs 3:13-14 (ESV)

Silver and gold, or those tangible things do have a shelf life. They can be here today and gone tomorrow. We seem to look for those things that give pleasure in the now and then we tend to take for granted that which we acquired and squander it in the time that comes after. But wisdom, when found is something that continues to pay dividends throughout time. We may lose silver and gold, but we can always get more when using our wisdom.

Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich” discusses the value of knowledge and wisdom. We gain lasting “wealth” from our knowledge and wisdom than the acquisition of things in the now. If we lose the things today, we can get more of them tomorrow by the use of our thoughts and reason.

“⁵At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” and “⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:5 & 9 (ESV)

Solomon understood the value of things and when presented by the LORD to the chance to ask for anything, he chose wisdom and understanding as he knew that would be the lasting thing to govern the people. And wisdom He received, and then he shared that wisdom through the writings we know today as Proverbs, where our focus verses this morning come from.

We are so intent on the acquisition of things in our lives that we miss the opportunity to find that which truly continues to give. We should be seeking the sustainable and gaining from its daily use and involvement in our lives. Wisdom found is there for lifelong gain.

What is it you seek? Are you looking for that thing to satisfy the now? What if you were seek, find, and gain from that which will give you lifelong gain, wisdom?

The Heart Reveals

“²A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,

but a fool’s heart to the left.”

— Ecclesiastes 10:2 (ESV)

“The ‘right hand’ is often associated with strength and blessing in the OT”. This is the commentary found in my ESV Bible related to the verse above. By contrast the “left” would be the opposite. The thing I see here is that there is a stark difference between a heart filled with wisdom and foolishness. And that difference is revealed for all to see.

I have written that you “Show Yourself From Your Heart” where we are the reflection of what is in our heart. That is reiterated here in Ecclesiastes. When we are filled with foolishness, we lean one way and when we are filled with wisdom, we lean the other. Those are revealed in our actions for all to see. They are revealed to all and are a reflection of who we really are.

Being wise is not about being “smart”. It is about doing things and making decisions based on logic and having a well thought out approach as opposed to quick emotional action. The end of the commentary for the verse above in my ESV Bible is this, “wisdom and foolishness invariably reveal themselves in one’s behavior”. Our leaning, right or left is revealed through our actions and not specifically through the words spoken.

It is from our heart where our wisdom or folly emanate. We fill our inner most part with that which we focus and that is reflected for all to see. It is revealed through our actions and therefor, the heart reveals who we truly are.

What does your heart reveal? Are you trying to show something only to find that others are not responding the way you would like? What if you were to fill your heart with the wisdom of the LORD as opposed to folly of the world and allow it to be revealed instead?

Built Through Wisdom

I know, I have already indicated that we are built up in and to love, and now I am writing that it is through wisdom we are built. It may be confusing to some, but not to me this morning. You see, in order to build up in love, one must understand. Understanding comes from wisdom, and therefor is certainly part of the building process.

“³By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

⁴by knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.”

— Proverbs 24:3-4 (ESV)

In the above verses, the writer, likely Solomon, is outlining the need for wisdom in our house. It is one thing to know something, but it is something else to understand. One can have information yet not understand the value of that information beyond the moment. For example, and I may have mentioned this before, I gain information on how to repair the washer or dryer from videos online, but that does not mean that I can replicate that day after day after day without looking again at the online videos. In order to gain understanding, I would have to devote myself to the information and commit it to memory for quick recall and repeated use.

The same is for the use of information in the building in love. I have to devote myself to the gaining of love to experience and understand love. Once I have that understanding, I am able to build my house on love and into love that is Christ.

The more we understand the more thoughtful and consequential are our decisions. As I gain in understanding and wisdom, my actions are dictated by that understanding and wisdom. Actions that are calculated but not without risk. The difference is that the risk is known and accepted as part of the building. The understanding and wisdom diminish the risk to the control of the LORD and His will of provision and blessing.

The opposite is true without understanding and wisdom. In those decisions, we tend to just go after it without care and let the chips fall where they may. Yes, there is risk in those decisions, but the risk is far greater as things have not been ruled out or the consequences have not been accepted as consequential. The risk is controlled by desire and selfish gain as opposed to the LORD and His will of provision and blessing.

Slow and steady is the way with wisdom and understanding. Think about the cookie cutter houses that are built quickly. Yes, many are built in a short time to give shelter to those in need. But the materials may not be the best quality and the sustainability of those houses are suspect. Comparing to the custom homes built that take months or years to erect. Castles still stand today from hundreds of years ago as they were built with the best of materials and over time to get it just right.

Our houses, to be built to sustain, should be built with wisdom and understanding. Slow and steady and calculated. With only the best materials (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to ensure the long standing and established house of the LORD.

What is your house built on? Are you a builder to get it up as fast as possible? What if you chose the quality materials that are derived from the wisdom and understand that comes from the LORD?

The Wise Will Keep it Simple and Quiet

Thank you LORD for again giving me your Word for learning and understanding. You challenge me to think and to work through things for mine and other’s benefit.

I was lead to Ecclesiastes this morning to be reminded and taught of what it means to be wise. I began my reading a little confused until I went back about 10 verses and read through the passage a number of times.

Wisdom is understanding over time and through experience. There is no need to continually announce your knowledge to the world. It is important to speak truth and pass on to others that which is known, yet, there is no need to shout nor is there need to complicate things.

“¹⁵But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.” “¹⁷The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

“¹²The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,

but the lips of a fool consume him.”

“¹⁴A fool multiplies words,

though no man knows what is to be,

and who can tell him what will be after him?” – Ecclesiastes 9:15, 17 & 10:12, 14 (ESV)

In the verses above I found what the LORD had for me today. I have been struggling lately with what seems to be people not listening or taking my experience seriously in my work. I seem to be ignored with what I share and it tends to wear on me as I doubt my worth in my role. What the LORD had for me today is that I do have worth thanks to the saving grace provided by Him. My role is to give the information that I know and allow others to use it where they will. I have to be more like the “poor, wise man” and work to deliver the city, yet not concern myself with whether or not someone remembers me.

Wisdom is to be shared, but as noted in the verses above, it is given and then let to sit. I have to remember that being loud, is not getting it done, as when someone does not want to hear, it does not matter the volume. Loud words to the deaf are just noise that mean nothing. I have to remember to give my information and allow others to search themselves to find the need for it and come to me when more is desired.

I also have to remember that there is no need to go into prolonged detail. As the old saying goes, “K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Silly”. Give the information in the way that others can and will learn from it, all others. Keep the words few. Why use 10 words when 5 will do just fine.

I ask the LORD daily for discernment in my bible study and for the Him to reveal to me that which He has for me. This morning He did just that. I am to be content in the wisdom He has given me. I am to share it quietly and simply for all to have the opportunity to benefit. I cannot be concerned with recognition in this world, as my reward is in heaven.

How are you working with what you know? Are you shouting it from the rooftops and using many words? What if you were to give to others quietly and keep it simple and then letting it sit?

Wisdom, Get Her and Keep Her

“⁷The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

and whatever you get, get insight.

⁸Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.”

— Proverbs 4:7-8 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded that wisdom is referred to as her, and for good reason. As men we are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. We are to get her and love her and devote to her fully and completely and solely. And when we do, we will grow together more and more devoted to one another. As the man or husband we are to leave our families to be with her as our family. Devotion to her in this manner is immense and as a husband of 28 years, I would have it no other way.

Before my devotion to her, I had to first get her. With wisdom, it is no different. I have to first get her and then I can devote to her. I have to seek her out and strive to know her and once I do, I will devote to her and grow. I will gain more of her each day with my devotion to her.

There is a saying, “Getting to number one is the easy part, staying there is where things get hard”. The same can be said for wisdom. I am concerned that we are currently in a world where information is so readily available, that we are mistaking it for knowledge and wisdom. I am not sure that we are seeking to really know things and are resting on the idea that we find the information we were looking for and then “forget” it as we move on to the next thing. This is the “getting to number one…” easy part and are only reaching the pinnacle and then falling back down.

I have to remember to place value in “staying” number one. I have to devote to wisdom and not just gain information. I have to dig in and care for what I learn. I have to commit to it. I have to cultivate it. I have to cherish it. Wisdom is her.

I see the parallel to Lori. I see that I have devoted to Lori. I dig in a care for Lori. I committed to Lori. I cultivated with Lori. I cherish Lori. These are the ways I keep Lori and not just get her. And the same goes for wisdom. All of these are the way to keep her and not just get her.

What are you doing to get wisdom? Are you only focused on getting her? What if you first get her and then devote to, care for, cultivate with, and cherish wisdom to keep her?

Rejoice in Fulfilled Desire

We are, as I have read, learned, and remembered during my study of the word “desire”, to desire the LORD and if there is something other than Him, it should be wisdom. Our fascination with things of this world is not sustainable as it will be gained and lost in the blink of an eye. The desire of the LORD and of wisdom are forever. The LORD has been and will be forever. Wisdom is gained and allows for continued growth and understanding.

“¹⁹A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”

— Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

Here we find the direction as to the fulfillment of desire. We are to relish in the fulfillment as it is “sweet to the soul”. So, taking in that we are to desire the LORD and wisdom, what a great thing to know that the LORD and wisdom are “sweet to the soul”. And it is true.

The LORD loves, cares for, guides, and protects us. He provides for our every need and even blesses us beyond those needs. He is the one constant that can be counted on in this world. He is there always and will not turn away.

Likewise with wisdom. With wisdom we can see and adjust to that which is presented. Knowing that what is can be changed with a little understanding is so amazing.

Bryson, my oldest son, commented to me a while back that I was the smartest person he knew. Now, I know that there are many people who are smarter than I am and Bryson likely knows those people as well. But, for him to recognize that I have something inside me, wisdom, is certainly fantastic in my eyes.

Here we have desire that is or will be fulfilled, the LORD and wisdom. I have received the LORD through my acceptance of the salvation gift He offered. I have experience in this world that leads to wisdom and understanding. For each of these I rejoice as they are “sweet to the soul”. I have and will continue to gain from these desires being fulfilled and will continue seeking them as I go.

What desire do you have? Are you aware of the impact of the fulfillment of those desires? What is the difference in the long term gain from those desires compared to the fulfillment of the desire for the LORD and wisdom, and are they worth your rejoicing?

Desire Wisdom, Nothing Else Compares

“⁷And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. ⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:7-9 (ESV)

King Solomon prayed for wisdom. He knew that without wisdom, all else was futile without wisdom to start things off. And the LORD granted him his request as it came from the heart and was in the interest of doing God’s work.

Here we have an example of asking for something that is to be used to further God’s kingdom and yet, we in the now, continue to ask for monetary or fleeting things.

“¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

— Proverbs 3:13-15 (ESV)

Nothing we desire, beyond the relationship with Christ, will compare to wisdom. It is wise to desire the relationship with Christ which leads to all other things.

Solomon had it right in his prayer to the LORD for wisdom. When granted, it allowed him to do the work of the LORD in not just a moment, but for the long haul. And that is what I am looking for, the information and ability to do the work for the long haul.

This morning I have reflected on the work I am doing for the LORD and realized that I have completed eight years of Trevor’s Thoughts. I have done well to study God’s Word diligently over that time and subsequently sharing my thoughts as I do. This study has not been about growing monetarily, or in some physical way, but growing in the LORD. I have learned so much over this time and yet still have so much more to learn. I am looking for that which will sustain me over time and not just feed me today. I am seeking wisdom and not just knowledge. Nothing else that I could desire compares to what I have and will gain from the LORD and the wisdom He grants me.

What are you seeking? Are you desiring to gain from the monetary or the world? What if you were to seek wisdom, knowing that all other desires will gain little?

Seek Wisdom, Keep on the Path of the Righteous

I have been studying and writing on the word “righteous” and that to take on righteous actions we have to dwell in the LORD and work to do His will. This morning as I studied, I was brought to another realization. I have to also be seeking wisdom.

“¹My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

²making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

³yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

⁴if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

⁵then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.”

“²⁰So you will walk in the way of the good

and keep to the paths of the righteous.”

— Proverbs 2:1-5 & 20 (ESV)

I love learning. I love the idea and the practical results of it. As learning takes place, so does the positive results. Although the results may not come right away, they are still evident at some point when looking back at the learning that took place. This morning is no different. The paths of the righteous are where the wise are found.

I have to be clear that being wise does not mean intelligence, as there are a lot of people with extreme amounts of intelligence that do not actively use that intelligence. The wise are those who take in information and apply that learning as they move forward. It is the understanding of the implications of the learning and using that understanding to process things in the now and maintaining those into the future.

It is good to gain information and learn. It is however better to be wise and be able to apply the information. I have to remember to seek wisdom and not just information. The wisdom I gain will lead me to the paths of the righteous where I will encounter others who are working for the LORD as well. Yes, I will find others doing the will of the LORD on the paths of the righteous. As the seeking of wisdom is what comes from our seeking of the LORD and finding Him in our heart and working to His will which leads to the righteous actions found as we traverse the path.

That is a lot of talking in circles to get to the following point. It is important to seek wisdom. We find wisdom in the LORD. Wisdom leads to righteous action. Righteous action keeps us grounded on the path the LORD has for us.

What are you seeking? Are you looking for information to solve something? What if you sought wisdom in the LORD to know something and allowed that wisdom to lead you on the paths of the righteous?