True understanding
2020-12-15Psalm 119:104 NLT
‘Only the LORD gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding’ (Proverbs 2:6 NCV). True understanding is a gift that only God can give, and He gives it to us through His Word. The psalmist wrote, ‘Your commandments give me understanding.’ The Bible helps us to gain understanding and to begin to interpret life the way God does. In a letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, ‘Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this’ (2 Timothy 2:7 NIV).
As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, God speaks to us. He’s saying, ‘This is how I see it, and this is how I want you to see it.’ He gives us His insight into the situation. And we can use that insight to help us in everyday life.
There are a lot of self-help books out there, which are designed to help us improve all kinds of areas of our lives. They’re often written by experts in a particular field, and some of them contain very good advice. But when we turn to the Bible, we’re getting direct access to God’s authority and wisdom. There’s so much to discover in the Bible – we can find wisdom and advice about money, relationships, work, prayer, what to do when we feel worried or fearful, and how to deal with bad habits and sins. Psalm 119:9 says, ‘How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word’ (NIV).
Whatever we’re facing in our lives, let’s resolve to make God and His Word the first place we turn to for advice and wisdom to handle the situations we find ourselves in.