30 Day Cleanse - Day 7

Scripture

"Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' And call understanding your intimate friend;" --Proverbs 7:4

Observe

Become friends with wisdom and understanding; love them like they are part of your family.

Call the ones who are wise your brothers and sisters; declare that the discerning will know you the best.

The Sacrifice

On Day 4, we learned that, in order to obtain true wisdom, we have to give up our own thoughts and ideas. On Day 5, we talked about how we need to get away from negative influences in our lives--in order to be able to listen to and follow God.

When we put those things together, it sounds like we could be lonely or miserable.

Imagine Solomon's sons. They heard these words from their father, knowing that someday they would be kings themselves. And they became responsible (even from a young age) to abstain from all the pleasures reserved for kings.

Before they even got a chance to try it out, Solomon busted up their party, and told them it wasn't going to be worth it.

I would have pouted.

In fact, sometimes I DO pout when I think about the things I'm "missing out on", or the sacrifices I make "for God" with no immediate reward.

BUT God encourages me.

The Reward

God himself reaches down from Heaven into my exact circumstance (remember how perfect His timing is?), and encourages me.

In times when I'm down, God reminds me that my relationship with Him isn't just sacrifice. I also GAIN a LOT of things:  Friendship with Him, awesome revelations in the Word, crazy friends who love Jesus, comfort when I'm sad, someone to talk to when I'm lonely, healing when I'm broken, and hope that--no matter what I go through today--God has a plan for my life.

Apply

In our verse today, God reminds us to not just see wisdom as something to memorize, something to conquer, or something to check off the invisible list.

He tells us to take our time getting to know wisdom, because when we pursue wisdom, we are pursuing Him, and nothing compares to knowing Him.

He's the best friend that we could ever have.

AND you'll find that, along the way, your friendship with God will bring people into your life who have been pursuing wisdom too.

When you are complete in God, surrounded by others who know God, walking in the plan God has for your life, suddenly you'll realize that the sacrifices are well WORTH the rewards.

Pray

God, we thank you that you love us and that you want to know us. It is an honor that you give us salvation AND friendship. Help us to understand wisdom--not just so we can say that we get it, but so we can know your heart. We pray for our friends and family all around the world right now. Holy Spirit, please encourage their hearts, and help us--no matter how near or far--to be united in wisdom, heart, and purpose. We love you, Lord! Amen.

Your Turn!!!

You know the drill. Hit me up with your comments!