“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 watching over the way of his saints.” – Proverbs 2:6-8
What an amazing promise of God! As you search after the treasure of the knowledge of God, storing up that treasure in your heart, God graciously gives you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. This means that he gives you himself! This knowledge is not just an intellectual matter, it’s a relationship with God.
God is the source of all life. Therefore, when you walk in his ways, that very obedience to his word becomes a shield around you, guarding you against the forces of death, sin, and evil. When God gives you wisdom, when he opens your heart to understand him and his word, inherent to that knowledge is the protection of your soul.
The gift of the knowledge of God is also the gift of his protection. The gift is the guardian. This is how grace works. When you receive the free gift of salvation, you also learn how to say no to sin. You learn how to walk in the ways of God. When you receive the grace of God, you receive his life in every way. This new life gives you a desire to be obedient to God, and then this obedience in return gives you more abundant life.
This is a wonderful thing. Finding an earthly treasure can put your life at risk, as someone else might want to steal it from you or your soul might be overwhelmed with greed. But, the treasure God wants you to seek actually guards your life. This is a treasure that cannot rust or be stolen: it is a heavenly treasure.
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” – Psalm 84:11-12
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