Week Two Exploring Proverbs 9:1
Today, we are discussing Pillar #3: Understanding, based on Proverbs 9:1. In Week #1 (Pillar #1), we discussed wisdom, and in Week #2 (Pillar #2), we covered knowledge. Today, we are focusing on Pillar #3: Understanding.
According to Microsoft Bing, “Understanding in a biblical context refers to the God-given perception and discernment of spiritual truth. It goes beyond mere knowledge and involves the application of that knowledge in a meaningful way. God grants the ability to perceive beyond what is seen or heard.”
Reflecting on Wisdom
When I think about biblical understanding, the Bible verse Matthew 10:16 “Be harmless as a dove and as wise as a serpent”—comes to mind. There are many commentaries on what that scripture actually means biblically. However, to me, it means we need to be very smart, wise, and aware of what surrounds us today.
Week Two Exploring Proverbs 9:1
According to the Bible, 2 Timothy 1:3 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are definitely living in the last days. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, etc., are rampant on the earth. It’s enough to make you want to crawl into a fetal position and just pray the world ends before you have to endure anything else. But the Bible also says, “Look up, for our redemption draws nigh.”
If I were to say to you that I never get nervous when the tornado sirens go off, or that I don’t get scared or freak out just a little bit when I hear of a tsunami somewhere, I would absolutely be lying. A thought comes to mind about my mother. A tornado warning had been announced in the town where she lived. I wasn’t there—I lived in California at the time. She said she told the Lord, “Take care of my family,” then proceeded to lay down on her bed, prepared to face the tornado’s damage. She actually went to sleep in perfect peace. How did she do that? Simple—she knew where she was going if she passed away.
Yes, we live in perilous, scary, and horrible times, but they don’t have to be. We can put our trust in Jesus Christ. When those tornado warnings go off, I remind the Lord and myself, “Lord, You gave us this house. We know we don’t have a tornado shelter or anyplace to put one. We don’t live close enough to a storm shelter that is open, so we stay put and trust You to take care of us.”
To some, that may sound very foolish, but when you have nowhere to go and nothing you can do in the natural, you have to trust. For me, that is understanding—understanding that the God I serve and love with all my heart has the best plans and future for us. I trust that we will make it through, no matter what happens.
Today, I ask you: whom do you trust in? Do you trust in yourself? Is that how you live your life, knowing that whatever comes, you will “figure it out,” or does your heart burn for understanding?
I invite you to ask Jesus Christ into your heart. It doesn’t have to be some big, boastful prayer. It can be as simple as: “Lord, I come to You in the name of Jesus. Forgive me of my sins—all that I remember and those that I don’t. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and come into my heart.”
A simple, few-second prayer. I would ask you this: what have you got to lose? Let Him show Himself real to you and bring understanding about our future into your heart.