Proverbs 9:10b and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
Why is this happening? Why did that happen? How could that happen? I don’t understand!
How often are these expressions in our minds, on our lips and evidence of a storm raging within us? They reflect a cry for understanding – and given our culture, we have developed an inordinate requirement to have understanding. Something has happened or is happening that we don’t understand. Frequently, it involves significant difficulties or tragedies that occur.
Currently we have a world filled with a growing amount of strife, wars, disasters and the corona pandemic. Earthquakes, tornadoes and mudslides; the rioting, killing and rebellion that is going on throughout the Middle East, North Africa and our own country; Christians and their churches being targeted for extermination; terrorism striking throughout the world – to name a few.
These are on top of the day to day difficulties of losing jobs, unexpected tragedies and dealing with things that the enemy of our souls is so quick to strike us with the question, “How could a god of love allow that?” We find ourselves buffeted by the storms raging around us and the inner difficulties that stem from our inability to understand it, let alone explain it. This is where knowledge of our God is so critical. The more we know of Him, the more readily we experience the shelter and source of strength that He is to us. The more we know of Him, the more embedded within us is the response to turn to Him like a compass pointing ‘North’.
The way we increase our knowledge of Him is by walking in His ways. The more we do, the greater is our desire and opportunity to learn of Him. Because of His Spirit working within us, our knowledge and understanding of Him go through a marvelous transformation as our eyes see more and more of the Glory of who He is and what we have in Him. He gives us peace in the midst of the storms. Jesus referred to this as having our house built upon the Rock!