The IF; The THEN; & The HOW
In the Old Testament, we find Solomon, who shares with us the whole alphabet (the A to Z—if you will) of how we must pursue God.
IF…“My son
IF you will receive my words
Treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
“for IF you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding
You seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;”
THEN…“you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
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 in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.” (Proverbs 2:1-7)
IF…we do as God instructs,
IF we follow the instructions of our Father,
IF we take seriously our walk with the Holy Spirit of God as we pass through this life,
IF we follow the example of the Son and love as Jesus loved (the world, the people, the lost and the found)—–
THEN…“you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God” (Verse 5).
THEN…“you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course” (verse 9).
If we do this, then we are promised a specific outpouring, so the question becomes—-BUT—HOW?
“For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Discretion will guard you,
Understanding will watch over you,
To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things;
From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness; . . .” (Proverbs 2: 10-13)
Solomon provides the way to wisdom for his son, using the whole Hebrew alphabet in the second chapter. Our mind, our actions, our will can bend to God’s will, can surrender to Him.
We (who accepted Christ as Savior) can know the truth that makes us free, the whole truth.
We (who seek God) can find wisdom to speak about the love of Christ to those we are led to this day.
We (who know God as our Father) can Listen.
We (who call God “Abba”) can enter a season of prayer within the presence of our Holy Father.
How can we receive all the beautiful promises of God?
We enter the courts of praise.
We enter the inner sanctuary of God.
We seek the LORD with our entire being.
“O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer,
(Psalm 84: 8-12)
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”
May we come boldly to the throne of God.
May we seek intimacy with Him.
May we trust Him in all situations.
May we remember—-our time here is so temporary and our presence with God is eternal.
IF….we stay, moment-by-moment, focused upon God as we walk through this day,
THEN….we will discover the knowledge and wisdom and righteousness and justice that only God can give.
HOW…THANK YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR GIFT of SALVATION!