Grow Wisdom Within

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – (Proverbs 9:10, HCSB)

Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord. Knowledge of the Holy One leads to understanding. – (Proverbs 9:10, ERV)

Reverence for the Eternal, the one True God, is the beginning of wisdom; true knowledge of the Holy One is the start of understanding. – (Proverbs 9:10, VOICE)

True wisdom begins when we recognize that God is God and we are not. Reverence for God is a respectful recognition that He is all-powerful and greater than anything that comes against us. The sort of fear this is referring to is an awareness of how great God is and how small we are in comparison. God called all into being, and can build up or tear down with a single word. It is not a fear that cowers in the corner, but rather one that stands in awe of who God is and all that He holds in the hollow of His hands. As we realize who God is, and respect in reverence His power and might, we grow in our understanding and insight. May we ever seek the Lord with reverence, for He grants us wisdom and insight to truly understand who He is and how He loves.

Wisdom is a gift,

That’s given by God;

True understanding,

Of grace and His love.

The Almighty King,

Comes close unto us;

Gives us His insight,

As we seek Jesus.

With true reverence,

May we stand in awe;

Of all God has done,

And His love for all.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Source of all wisdom, understanding and insight. Thank You that You show us more of You as we seek You with reverence and awe. Forgive us for our lack of seeking or our lack of recognition of how truly great You are. Teach us to recognize the enormity of Your goodness and grace, and lead us to live out our lives in the fullness of Your love. Show us how to love those around us in ways that point hearts unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look to You with respect and reverence to grow wisdom within us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. – Psalm 90:12

Incredibly Known

He counts the number of stars; He gives names to all of them. – (Psalm 147:4, HCSB)

He counts the stars and knows them each by name. – (Psalm 147:4, ERV)

He counts all the stars within His hands, carefully fixing their number and giving them names. – (Psalm 147:4, VOICE)

In my own limited understanding, I know I am guilty of making God too small, or limiting what I think He can do. Verses like the one above are a reminder of just how big God really is. God, the Creator of all, created, placed, counted and named each of the stars in the sky. I don’t know about you, but any time that I get away from the city/suburb lights and look at the sky at night, I stand in awe, as the longer I look, the more stars I see; far too many to count. It is a reminder of how great God truly is. The same God that knows each star by name, knows my name and the number of hairs on my head. Intentionally, He formed each of us and knows us better than anyone. Designed with a plan and a purpose, I cannot help but stand in awe. The more I know Him, the more I want to know. One who knows and loves so deeply and personally is worth pursuing more. May we ever seek to know the Lord more and more, and may we discover how He sees us and calls us to be who He has created us to become.

Each star with a name,

Both numbered and known;

The Lord placed each one,

Love’s light being shown.

He who hung the stars,

Also made us all;

With plan and purpose,

Each one of us called.

May we choose seek Him,

With wonder and awe;

Praise Him for His love,

And grace for us all.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created, placed, named and know each star in the sky – both those we can see, and those we cannot. Thank You that You know each person on the planet in the same way. Forgive us for making You too small. Teach us to trust You in all things, for You are so much more than we can think or imagine. Lead us to love those around us with a love like Yours so that all might feel and know Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever pursue knowing You more, and trust You in all things and at all times. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But whoever loves God is known by God. – 1 Corinthians 8:3