February 4, 2016
Hidden Treasure
Search
for [insight and understanding] as for hidden treasure.— Proverbs 2:4
Read:
Proverbs 2:1-5
My husband and I read
in different ways. Since English is a second language for Tom, he has a
tendency to read slowly, word-for-word. I often speed-read by skimming. But Tom
retains more than I do. He can easily quote something he read a week ago, while
my retention can evaporate seconds after I turn away from the screen or book.
Skimming is also a
problem when I’m reading the Bible—and not just the genealogies. I’m tempted to
skim familiar passages, stories I’ve heard since I was a child, or a psalm that
is part of a familiar chorus.
Proverbs 2 encourages
us to make the effort to know God better by carefully seeking a heart of
understanding. When we read the Bible carefully and invest time memorizing
scripture, we absorb its truths more deeply (vv. 1-2). Sometimes reading the
Word aloud helps us to hear and understand the wisdom of God more fully. And
when we pray the words of scripture back to God and ask Him for “insight and
understanding” (v. 3), we enjoy a conversation with the Author.
We come to know God
and His wisdom when we search for it with our whole heart. We find
understanding when we seek it like silver and search for it like hidden
treasure.
Dear Lord, help me to
slow down and listen to what You want to teach me through Your Word so I can be
the person You want me to be.
Read the Bible
carefully and study it prayerfully.
INSIGHT:
The book of Proverbs shows us how to live wisely. King
Solomon, who was the wisest person in his day (1 Kings 4:29–34), wrote most of
the proverbs. The New Living Translation Study Bible likens this book to “a
compass that helps us navigate the murky waters of life. . . . Proverbs shows
us that the source of all wisdom is a right relationship with God.” In the
first nine chapters, a father advises his son how to live successfully by
pursuing wisdom, understanding, and discernment—which can come only from God
and His Word. Solomon desires his son to understand what it means to fear the
Lord, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of
the Holy One is understanding” (9:10).
Source: Our Daily Bread 2016
