The Big Questions of Life - Relentless Pursuit - Proverbs 2

Hi, Mrs. Kurtz,
I absolutely love your most recent blog post! I really like that it covers so much while also being straightforward. I noticed there were two topics you covered under the subject of wisdom.
1. Sources of wisdom, and 
2. The choices we have.

Sources of wisdom:
You brought up a passage from Proverbs that states that the whole book is dedicated to teaching "wisdom and discipline". I also quite enjoyed the part about giving "knowledge and discernment to the young". This sounds like I could benefit quite a bit from reading Proverbs. As can I!

The other thing I noticed is the use of "discernment". While wisdom is important, it is also necessary to use that wisdom to make choices. I definitely need to work on discernment, and wisdom is a good starting point. "Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline". Yes, pursuing a relationship with the LORD and learning from His Word are worthy pursuits.

In addition to Proverbs/the Bible being sources of wisdom, you discussed the importance of listening/learning from your parents, "My son, listen when your father corrects you. Don't neglect your mother's instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck." My family has an interesting dynamic, and maybe it would do me good to try and be intentional about spending time with them. As for my parents, my relationship with each of them will likely be mutually exclusive, but hearing what they have to say could be beneficial to grow in wisdom? Parents have had a lifetime of experiences, and their fair share of mistakes from which they have learned. We often disregard our parents, feeling that their "wisdom" doesn't fit with our generation. However, their insights are invaluable If these parents have also spent a lifetime studying the Bible, they will have Biblical wisdom and knowledge with which to counsel you.

Two choices:
You mentioned the idea of having two voices, one bad and one good, and that, "the voices aren't always this easy to spot" and I couldn't agree more. Complacency plays a role in this. My self-satisfaction causes me to be blind to my own ignorance, which is a dangerous place to be; "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. Self-satisfaction is a destructive force; when we are smug about ourselves, we no longer listen, learn, or proceed with caution. The antidote is maintaining a healthy self-perspective by immersing ourselves in God's Word.

But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear or harm." God promises if we obey, we will be untroubled by fear or harm, but at what cost?? You are right; there is a cost. However, if you trust the character of God, you know that whatever the cost, the venture is safe and the outcome is assured. This is called "counting the cost". Is it worth it? I can tell you "YES!" but truthfully you will have to find that for yourself.

I am also quite concerned at the personification of wisdom? The threats seem very intense, "So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you". That is all very harsh. Yes, this is intimidating. There have been many (too many) times in my life when I proceeded without wisdom, and the results were disastrous. When we get ourselves into trouble, we will know that mocking voice. It is indeed quite humbling. Yet again, if this causes us to learn and to turn, wisdom will have benefited us, even in mocking.

Once again thank you for putting all the time and thought into these posts, and I look forward to hearing what you have to say. As usual, I am quite lost. It is my pleasure and my privilege. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Much thanks.

I apologize for the length of this blog. I wanted to address your comments and questions (above), but I also want to direct you to the next section of Proverbs so that we can continue the pursuit of wisdom (below).


Hey, Mrs. Kurtz. This is a weird, vague question with no context, but what can I do to be better and have a good life when I am older and stay happy?

Dear Friend, As I said before, I love your question! 

Let's continue our study of the Proverbs to deepen our understanding of this question.

My son, listen to what I say,

and treasure my commands.

Tune your ears to wisdom,

and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight,

and ask for understanding.

Search for them as you would for silver;

seek them like hidden treasures.

Did you notice the language of listening? treasure, tune, concentrate, cry out, ask, search, seek, hidden treasures

What we need, what we should want (or should want to want) is not a quick answer, nor a simple solution. It requires a relentless pursuit. This is the language of a lifetime journey, not an overnight jaunt. Or, in the terms of a runner, this is a cross-country race, not a 50 yard dash.

If we want to find joy and peace, if we want to be "successful" in life, we will pursue wisdom all our lives, with all our heart, and with all our strength.

And what/Who is the source of that wisdom?

Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,

and you will gain knowledge of God.

For the LORD grants wisdom!

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Ah, here is our answer: the LORD is our source. He alone is wise and just and right. He alone can give us the treasure that truly satisfy.

Did you notice--our wisdom grants us a new perspective: fear of the LORD. We don't fear Him because He is evil or malicious; rather, we fear the LORD because He is the source of all life, all wisdom, all knowledge. Without Him, we cannot, we are not. WOW! We should be trembling before Him!

If we want to be wise, we will seek the LORD, and seek Him only.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the path of the just

and protects those who are faithful to Him.

Again, I am reminded of the words of Micah 6:8, "No, o people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

As we grow in wisdom, our wisdom should bring forth attitudes and actions in keeping with the character of God. We don't add wisdom just so that we can write profound sayings; rather, we grow in our knowledge that we may be transformed.

"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) 

"And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)

Isn't it exciting that what the Old Testament proclaims, 

the New Testament also exclaims?!

Then you will understand what is right, just and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

Don't you love these words? Understand, right, just, fair, wisdom, heart, knowledge, joy

The secret to a happy life is a

 lifetime, relentless pursuit of wisdom, 

acquired through a 

lifetime, relentless pursuit of a relationship with God. 

"but the angel reassured them, 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" (Luke 2:10-11)

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23)

Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe.

Wisdom will save you from evil people,

from those whose words are twisted.

These men turn from the right way

to walk down dark paths.

They take pleasure in doing wrong,

and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.

Their actions are crooked,

and their ways are wrong.

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman,

from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.

She has abandoned her husband

and ignores the covenant she made before God.

Entering her house leads to death;

it is the road to the grave.

The man who visits her is doomed.

He will never reach the paths of life.

Life is hard. Temptations surround us. Decisions plague us each day. We choose, moment by moment, to follow the Lord. We determine that our relationship with Him is of more valuable than any earthly pursuit.

Wisdom will save us. This wisdom, available in God's Word, will guide our paths, and will protect us from the evil influences around us. Wisdom, remember, is not a vague concept, but rather the abundant insight gained as we relentlessly pursue our relationship with the Lord and deepen our knowledge of His Word.

So follow the steps of the good,

and stay on the paths of the righteous.

For only the godly will live in the land,

and those with integrity will remain in it.

But the wicked will be removed from the land,

and the treacherous will be uprooted. (Proverbs 2)

What better summary can I give to this chapter of Proverbs?

Heavenly Father, You have clearly identified the way of right, the way of wisdom, the way of life, the way of peace, the way of joy. We have a choice to make. Will You enable us to make the right choice, moment by moment?

True joy comes only from one Source!

• What is the cost?
• Is this an "all-in" venture, or can someone invest partially? 
• What is the scariest risk that you have ever taken? Why did you take it?
• How are "earthly wisdom" and "heavenly wisdom" different? (You may want to check out the book of James. Chapter 3 has a lot to say about different kinds of wisdom, but the entire book is a perspective on wisdom.)

The Big Questions of Life - Two Voices, Two Choices - Proverbs 1

Hey, Mrs. Kurtz. This is a weird, vague question with no context, but what can I do to be better and have a good life when I am older and stay happy?

Dear Friend, 
I love your question! 

Yesterday I began reading the Proverbs, and what I read fits perfectly with your inquiry. So let's dig into a few of them, shall we?

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,

to help them understand the insight of the wise.

Their purpose is to teach people to live 

disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just and fair.

These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

Did you catch what Solomon said about his proverbs? They were meant to teach, to give wisdom, to guide in life. Hooray--it's just what we need to answer this big question!

To what does Solomon equate "success"? I see: wisdom, discipline, understanding, discernment, insight, doing what is right, just and fair (Micah 6:8 again)

To whom does Solomon want to bestow his wisdom? to the simple and to the young: to those who need (and hopefully want) to choose the right life course.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance

by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

by the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Solomon's words come with a challenge: "Let". In other words, there is a choice to be made. It's not enough to "listen". Rather, we must choose to explore the meaning of the proverbs and parables we're given. We must think, seeking understanding on a deeper level. It is a treasure to pursue, not simply something handed to us in a neatly wrapped package. This is an adventure!

Here is what separates the wise from the fools: 

their response to the offer of wisdom. 

Does it bother/worry you that Solomon talks about the "fear of the LORD"? In our culture today we have come to equate "fear" with negative/evil influences. Yet Solomon is writing about wisdom, and he includes "fear". So, perhaps the first step in acquiring wisdom is to realize that there is a LORD of all, and we are not Him? Furthermore, if He is LORD of all, then He is LORD over me. How could I not fear/reverence the ALMIGHTY LORD?

Wow! We've already begun to grow in wisdom!

My son, listen when your father corrects you.

Don't neglect your mother's instruction.

What you learn from them will crown you with grace

and be a chain of honor around your neck.

Our first responsibility in life begins as children. We are to listen to and learn from our parents, and their influence should impact our lives positively. God gives us this family structure so that we are shaped by loving influences from our very first breath.

My son, if sinners entice you,

turn your back on them!

They may say, 

"Come and join us. Let's hide and kill someone! Just for fun let's ambush the innocent! Let's swallow them alive, like the grave;

let's swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the things we'll get! We'll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; We'll share all the loot."

My son, don't go along with them!

Stay far away from their paths.

They rush to commit evil deeds.

They hurry to commit murder.

If a bird sees a trap being set,

it knows to stay away.

But these people set an ambush for themselves;

they are trying to get themselves killed.

Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;

it robs them of life.

Especially in our youthful years (but continuing throughout life), we will encounter two voices. Here we see their influence, and it is negative, evil, and quite foolish. Oh, the voices aren't always this easy to spot, but we all have encounters with voices like these, calling us to abandon what is right and good, and instead be lord of our own lives and values.

Sometimes what they are offering is so tantalizing, and we can't see anything but the pleasure or thrill we'll get by joining in their "fun". But their outcome is always the same; they are trapped by their own traps, and robbed of life.

Wisdom shouts in the streets.

She cries out in the public square.

She calls out to the crowds along the main street,

to those gathered in front of the city gate:

"How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded?

How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise."

The second voice is the voice of wisdom. Let's note that wisdom is available for all--she is calling out and inviting everyone.

Wisdom offers to share her "heart" and to make us wise. Wow! The contrasts between the two voices are clear, and the invitation is compelling.

"I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 

"So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you!--when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you."

"When you cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 

"Therefore they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me--to death."

As wisdom finishes her invitation, she includes warnings and promises, and her words hold a frightening reality: there are two voices and two choices, but only one is right. 

'Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.'

'But all who listen to me will live in peace,

'untroubled by fear of harm.' (Proverbs 1)

It is this last verse that gives me chills: "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency".

Complacency, according to Merriam-Webster: "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies" and "an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction".

When we are complacent, 

when we don't listen, 

this is when we are heedlessly close to danger.

Yet, wisdom ends her call with the glorious truth of listening to the one voice and making the one choice that counts for all of life: "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm".

Heavenly Father, the voices of this life sound so tantalizing, and we cannot see the foolishness of our own ways. We need You; will You help us to hear? Will You draw us closer to Yourself?

I wanted to share this song with you, "I wish you Jesus". The song has a long musical intro. Forward to about the one minute mark to hear the actual song.

Psalm 119 - 17 - Pe - Loving God

"(Pe) Your laws are wonderful.
No wonder I obey them!
The teaching of Your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
I pant with expectation,
longing for Your commands.
Come and show me Your mercy,
as You do for all who love Your name.
Guide my steps by Your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.
Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey Your commandments.
Look upon me with love;
teach me Your decrees.
Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey Your instructions." 
(Psalm 119:129-136)  

Dear friend,

Notes from "Pe": Loving God

Do you know how much this speaks to me today? I see the author's joy and his longing for the word of the Lord, and my heart is uplifted. He speaks truth, and this truth speaks to me.

God's laws are wonderful. They are not burdensome. They are not punitive. They are good, very good, wonderful!

God's Word is light-giving. Even the simplest people can understand it. God's Word is not a mystery to be discovered only by some. It is not distant or lofty. It speaks to mankind in plain words of truth.

God's Word guides. It will affect my mind, my heart, my words, my attitudes, my actions, my entire life--if I allow it. God's Word will keep me from evil.

Can you see/hear the author's love for God and His Word? His entire life is devoted to God; he is committed to obedience, to faith in God's mercy, to learning God's Word. He loves God so much that his heart breaks because others disobey (and thus, reject) God.

I want to love and obey God as the Psalmits does! 

How do I do this?

The Psalmist shows us the way--know God's Word. Read. Study. Cling.

He is not talking about simply reading out of a forced habit, or mechanical obedience to a moral code. Rather, the Psalmist has developed a love for God through His Word, and this love has become an even deeper longing to love and know God more.

"If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

(Jeremiah 29:13) 

If I want to know God more, I can. He has revealed Himself. He is waiting to dwell with me, to communicate with me, and to guide me. 

If I want to know God more, I will. 

My priorities are always revealed by my actions. Excuses are just that, excuses. 

• Do I want to know God more?
• Do I want to love God more?
• Am I pursuing a relationship with God, or simply providing excuses for my lack of desire?
• What does my life reveal about my true priorities? 

Heavenly Father, You have provided Your Word, Your Light, Your Son. You have promised to be with me. You have shown me Your love. I want to love You. I want to long for You. I want to know You.