#godly knowledge

“The earnest of our inheritance.”

Ephesians 1:14

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, “'Tis but a taste!” We have tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet know how good and gracious he is, although what we know of his sweetness makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the firstfruits of the Spirit, and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fulness of the heavenly vintage. We groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption. Here we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol, there we shall be in the vineyard. Here we see the manna falling small, like coriander seed, but there shall we eat the bread of heaven and the old corn of the kingdom. We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together; but as one says, “He that has been in heaven but five minutes, knows more than the general assembly of divines on earth.” We have many ungratified desires at present, but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy. O Christian, antedate heaven for a few years. Within a very little time thou shalt be rid of all thy trials and thy troubles. Thine eyes now suffused with tears shall weep no longer. Thou shalt gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendour of him who sits upon the throne. Nay, more, upon his throne shalt thou sit. The triumph of his glory shall be shared by thee; his crown, his joy, his paradise, these shall be thine, and thou shalt be co-heir with him who is the heir of all things.

Daily Bible and Devotional for Women - http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=daily.bible.for.woman

//Wisdom, Understanding, & Knowledge//

[coming from Proverbs 2]

Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge aren’t just given to us. These are things that we have to earnestly seek out for through God. It’s more than just praying “God, give me wisdom,” or “Lord, help understand” and then Just walking out the prayer closet. Action is required. Patience is required. And above all, a sincere hunger for God and for His righteousness is required.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

So how do we get wisdom? By inclining our ears to wisdom. The Bible describes wisdom as a woman, or prophetess, who cries out in the streets and in public places for anyone to give ear to her words (proverbs 1:20-23). In other words, wisdom is openly available to us and is ready to fill our simple hearts. It’s just a matter of us tuning in.

How do we get understanding? By applying our hearts to understanding. In other words, it’s loving understanding and not hating it. To love it is to keep Jesus’ judgements, statutes, and commandments, laying them up in our hearts. When we refuse to do so, we hate His commandments, which is ultimately hating understanding.

How do we get knowledge? We get knowledge by crying out after it. This means pursuing it (proverbs 2:2-3). Hunting it down, if you will.

All three of these things, and literally all that we’ll ever need, are found only in and through God. So to get them, we have to first seek Him— earnestly seek Him:

Matthew 6:33

King James Version

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

When the Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (proverbs 1:7), it’s because everything starts with God and in order to receive anything, we first have to seek HIM. He has to be our hearts’ true and only desire:

Deuteronomy 4:29

King James Version

29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Proverbs 8:17

King James Version

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Matthew 7:7-8

King James Version

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

John 14:26

Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples. This time was not always spent in walking, fishing, and telling jokes, although I’m sure they did their share of that. Most of Jesus’ time was spent in teaching lessons…