I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
This proverb is the quintessential proverb on wisdom. It foists wisdom above such heights and wonder that who can not desire it above all? Yet brings it so low and attainable that who can miss it? The proverb personifies wisdom that we may understand it and use it. Yet deifies it so that we may honor it and bow to it. This is just an amazing proverb. There is so much here I don’t know where to go. Preacher Allen has always said that if you got five minutes to preach, you better preach what’s on your heart. So that is what we will do.
Finding God’s will for your life is not always easy. (I’m not sure if it’s ever easy) It requires some sort of wisdom. It requires some of what this Proverb is offering; I dare not say much. For if much was required, I’m afraid the will of God should ever evade us. I know we explained earlier in the seventh proverb that being simple was not good; and in the context and meaning of the bible, that stands. But being complex, in today’s context and meaning, can surely be a hindrance. Little is much when God is in it; if you take my meaning. Peter thrust out a little, and that was all Jesus needed to take him to the deep and open his understanding. And we must have our understanding opened to know God’s will.
But understanding God’s will also takes faith. Sometimes it’s not until we’re in God’s will that our understanding is opened. Those two on the road to Emmaus had to walk a little way with Jesus before he turned the lights on. Knowing God’s will for myself, has certainly taken me some time to understand. I’ve had to learn to walk before I could run like any other child of God.
The other Saturday morning, as the boys were dressing for the day’s work at the shop, I strolled outside to drink my coffee. It wasn’t a weekday, so we weren’t in a rush. So I walked down the ditch and surveyed my fifteen acres. It’s not prime land, but it is big and quiet and nice. And I thought about how we’re going to have to sell this property real soon because we’re leaving back to Georgia. I thought about how long I worked to get the property, all the work we did on it, and how I hate to let it go. And I thought to myself, “I love my land.”
And then I heard the words of Jesus, Lovest thou me? And my heart was smote. And I answered as Peter answered (John 21:17) Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. I believe that God was opening my understanding. God has a way of purging and pruning things out of our life for our own good. He’ll take temporal things away and put in it’s place that which was set up from everlasting. (Proverbs 8:27) When he prepared the heavens, I was there: Yes, real wisdom is not just knowledge and discernment. (1 Corinthians 1:24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Christ, the wisdom of God, is the pinnacle of our understanding. (Philippians 3:8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: Christ is my wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom… So instead of surveying my land, I’ll survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died. My richest gain I count but loss… And here’s the effectual workings of wisdom: And pour contempt on all my pride.
The proverb goes on to say (Proverbs 8:21) That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. So, follow me here. Those that love me (which love wisdom, which love Christ) would inherit substance. Now what substance? The bible says that (Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is the substance… Faith is the assurance, the confidence, the reality, of things hoped for. Paul says a few verses earlier (Hebrews 10:34) Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Those that love Christ will inherit substance, wealth and possessions. These possessions, this substance, are not on earth, but in heaven. Paul admonishes us to (Matthew 6:20) Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
So, this is my thought: As we love God more, as our faith grows, as we submit ourselves to his will, as our love and affections are transferred from earthly things to heavenly things, so will our treasures. (Matthew 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let me just be plain and honest. I’m not sure when your heart shows up there, whether it’s before or after your treasures. I’m not sure which gains the other. But I’m content knowing that I love Christ; that my heart is his. I’m content, satisfied, and rich beyond all wealth, knowing that the pain in my heart and the sorrow of my soul at the thought that he’d question my love is far greater than any remorse I would feel at the loss of any lands.
I don’t know if any of all this makes sense to anybody. But I’ll leave you with the closing words of that great hymn about the wonderous cross. Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.