hopenotes: Oh How I Love Your Word

Dr. Jack Clem gave a message a few years ago at Colonial Baptist Church on the overview of Ps. 119. It was a very timely encouragement to me, so I thought I'd pass it along.

Others Have Said It Better

"Yet the duties God requires of us are not in proportion to the strength we possess in ourselves. Rather, they are proportional to the resources available to us in Christ. We do not have the ability in ourselves to accomplish the least of God's tasks. This is the law of grace. When we recognize it is impossible for us to perform a duty in our own strength, we will discover the secret of its accomplishment. But alas, this is a secret we often fail to discover." -John Owen
"Forgiveness is the most God-like thing you can do." -J. MacArthur

The Progression of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-9 offers a progression of wisdom that gives clarity to the abridged "seek and you shall find" mentality. Solomon instructs his son to receive my words. . . treasure my commands. . . incline your ear to wisdom. . . apply your heart to understanding. . . cry out for discernment. . . lift up your voice for understanding. . . seek her as silver. . . search for her as for hidden treasures. We would expect the next verse to read something to the effect of "Then you will find wisdom." But that's not what follows. He writes, Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. This understanding serves as a necessary prerequisite to obtaining wisdom. Without intimate knowledge of God, the pursuit of "wisdom" is a false and godless effort.
But once the seeker gains knowledge and understanding of God, wisdom inevitably follows. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. These gifts flow from the One we come to know. And the progression concludes with verse 9: Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.
I seek--God illumines--God gives--I understand.

hopenotes

Friday, March 14, 2008

Oh How I Love Your Word

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Others Have Said It Better

The Progression of Wisdom

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