[When available, audio recordings of these devotions are posted at http://www.redeemerclc.info/audio-devotions]
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
REAL WISDOM
"Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." It sounds like a student worn out from a long school year looking forward to summer vacation, doesn’t it? Actually, those words were written by Solomon (Ecclesiastes 12:12). It wasn't that Solomon was anti-learning, far from it! He studied plant and animal life and other marvels of God’s creation in depth. He wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. But the wisest man who has ever lived also knew that one could study and know everything about this physical world and still not have real wisdom.
The world heaps honor and acclaim on people who have spent a lifetime researching the molecular structure of the universe or who have delved into the workings of the human body. But without knowledge of the One who made and preserves all things, it is not real wisdom. Philosophers grapple with questions of who we are and the meaning of life. Yet our youngest Sunday School students could tell them, for they know the Creator who loved them and sent His Son to die for them, that they might live with Him in the glory of heaven. The psalmist says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding" (Psalm 111:10).
We may tire of studying math, the tutorial for a software upgrade, or a tax form, but may we never weary of hearing the wonders of God's works and the depths of His love. There is nothing more essential, more encouraging, more practical, and more exciting for us to take to heart, to pass along to our children, and to share with everyone we can. "Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding," for in knowing the Lord we have the answers to life's big questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? May our prayer each day be: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18).
