Gaining the Treasures of Wisdom, Insight and Understanding

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies , for they are ever with me.  I have more insight than all my teachers for I meditate on your statutes.  I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.  
Psalm 119:98-100  NIV

   How much do you value wisdom, insight and understanding? They are among the richest treasures of this world because they empower us to fully enjoy life.  Unfortunately, they are highly undervalued by most people.  We tend to put much more energy into gaining the treasures of wealth and popularity, which provide far less help than we think for truly enjoying life.

   Wisdom, insight and understanding are not instant downloads.  They are planted in us as we meditate on God’s truth and they grow in us as we apply God’s truth in daily life.

   This week, practice this meditation and application process by taking these steps.

    1. Choose a command from Scripture.

    2. Write it on an index card, a piece of paper or type it as a 
        reminder in your phone.
    3. Review it and think about it several times a day.
    4. Ask God for opportunities to put them into practice.

For starters, I recommend Matthew 5:44; Philippians 2:3-4 or James 1:19-20.   

Boldness and Respect

They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.      Daniel 3:28  NIV

   Trusting God in a culture that is opposed to, and even hostile toward, your faith and values is a recurring theme in the book of Daniel.  Daniel and his friends are faced with choices to glorify God in the face of opposition or to deny God’s sovereignty in order to maintain their own comfort.
 

   The Apostle Paul said that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. There are certainly times it is wise to be quiet and there is no need to create controversy.  But there are also times when we must speak up with confidence and hope in God, regardless of the risk to our personal comfort.
 

    In what situations do you find it difficult to stand up for God and his truth?  Have you prayed about these challenges and opportunities?  Have you asked God for boldness to stand up for him?  It could be as simple as not laughing at dirty jokes at work or it could be much more involved, such as learning to defend a specific  aspect of God’s truth with gentleness and respect.  This week, take two steps to increase your willingness to stand up for God.
 

   1.  Write out and think about 1 Peter 3:13-16.  Think about what it means to be ready to give an answer with gentleness and respect.
 

   2.  Ask God to show you where you have been afraid to stand up for him and then ask him to give you grace to be confident and courageous in these areas in the future.