Out of Reach
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Do you ever find yourself struggling with something to the point of absolute frustration? You're so convinced in your mind that you can accomplish the objective, and yet no matter what you do, it always seems to be out of your reach? The more frustrated you get, the more you realize that you may have to reach out to others for help, and yet in all your stubbornness, you proceed with the unwavering resolve to finish what you started?
I am this way more than I care to admit. When I set my mind on doing something, I am so determined to try every angle, every option, every formula, and yet success in my endeavor may sometimes continue to elude me. In my own mind I know I need help, and yet I convince myself that I can figure it out, I can make it work, and then I can take the credit for a great accomplishment. Many times, I find that in the end, I fail. I exhaust every option and all my energy only to find that my original intuition was right. I should have asked for help!
Right now, I am in a season of life with seemingly insurmountable challenges, and I so easily find myself leaning on my own understanding when navigating the various challenges that I encounter. Lately, when recognizing my own stubbornness, I have found great comfort and peace in the Psalms and Proverbs. I have recently transitioned from the more emotional perspective of the Psalms into the intellectual and practical focus of Proverbs. In doing so, I recognize how well the two go hand in hand, especially regarding facing the difficult challenges of life.
When we look at the world around us today, we see the same concept in how the world approaches dealing with various problems. We see a world that says, “we've got this”, or “you can do it”, or “you just have to believe in yourself”. We cultivate the mindset that we don’t need help from anyone else and that we don’t need guidance from other sources. Metaphysically, the world preaches “follow the science", or they promote analyzing the technical and mathematical aspects of achieving a challenging goal with the mindset that, with the right data and metrics, they can figure anything out themselves. Psychologically, they encourage everyone to find their own way, find their own path, or find their own identity. Physiologically, they promote a plethora of health strategies, diet plans, workout routines, and other physical modifications meant to satisfy. Spiritually, they promote whatever they can dream up that will fit their personal desires and beliefs.
The world relentlessly seeks strength from humanity and the physical creation instead of seeking to trust and depend on our almighty Creator. What we see from all of this is an increasingly confusing and chaotic world that endlessly creates new challenges because it's beliefs and viewpoints cannot coexist with one another, but instead they contradict each other. Additionally, their dependency on themselves, other people, or created things means they put their trust in perishing, flawed, broken things. In the process, they claim to stand behind tolerance of all beliefs and practices as they blatantly fail to tolerate anyone who opposes their views or beliefs.
When looking at Proverbs 1:7, we see that it is such a simple and yet profound verse. And we see Scripture telling us that fools despise wisdom and instruction. But wisdom and instruction here are not what the world views as wisdom and instruction. Fools pursue the ever-changing, unreliable “wisdom and instruction” of the world, which is based on the often-popular messages of the current culture, scientific discoveries, philosophical revelations, and evolving spiritual beliefs and practices. Here, King Solomon is writing that true wisdom and instruction comes only from the Lord. Genuine knowledge comes from a healthy fear of the Lord. This fear produces in us the humility we need to overcome our stubbornness and develop within us a sense of dependency that enables us to request help from the only true source of knowledge, the Lord our God.
As we read on in chapter one of Proverbs, we see the results of thinking we can do life our own way and stubbornly refusing the wisdom of God. Beginning in verse 24:
“Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;”
We learn here that pursuing wisdom and instruction our own way, the way of mankind, the way of the world, ends in the wrong kind of fear and ultimately ends in our destruction. In our effort to gain knowledge through our own strength and our own means, we become fools. But, if we submit, in recognition of our depravity and inadequacy, to the authority, leadership, and guidance of Christ, and press into the wisdom and instruction of Scripture, we will be safely and peacefully carried through anything we face in life according to His perfect sovereign will. His Spirit will help us and comfort us through His wisdom, His instruction, His strength, and His power.
We don’t have to stubbornly struggle through life wondering if we’ll ever figure it out while continually failing to succeed or overcome the challenges we encounter. Instead, by His hand, we can rest in times of trouble, and then we will not fear the threats of man, nor fear the calamity of a broken and destructive world. We will not be defeated when life doesn’t go our way, or when we think we can’t bear the burdens of life any longer, or when there seems to be no hope in sight. We will not fear the political hype, the social movements, or the lawlessness of a depraved, selfish, sinful world. We will not believe in, chase after, or rely on every fleeting idea, belief, or practice that appeals to our senses. Instead, those of us who heed the wisdom and instruction of God will dwell securely in every situation, will be at ease when life is tough, and won’t fear the threat of failure or disaster.
“But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give us the awareness and resolve to admit we are weak and helpless without You, and give us the strength by Your Spirit's help to pursue Your truth fearfully and humbly. May we then rest in that truth and know that You are in control of all things. May we understand that You give us the strength to endure all things, and may You give us the wisdom and discernment to process all that this life throws at us according to Your will. Amen!
