JMD Devotional 244 Proverbs 2:4-8 Elusive Prize

If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints.

I recently got a pet cat, a nice Russian Blue. There is a game we made up together, in which I tie some fishing line on a realistic plastic lizard and she pursues it. About three times a day she will cry and cry (sad sounding meow) until I stop what I’m doing and ‘animate’ the toy. It is no fun for her to play with the lizard alone, and she has the most fun when I zig-zag, dodge and generally make the hunt challenging. (Boy, I fear for any living lizard that crosses her path!) It is a way that we, being very different, have found to interact with each other. God is very different from us; and it is a challenge to find that common ground to interact with Him. He has given us prayer and His Word, but if we do it alone, it can be like that lifeless plastic lizard; it must involve us dynamically with each other. The pursuit is really holiness, applying God’s truth in our lives empowered by His Spirit, acknowledging His presence. Life is the playground, the part that makes it challenging enough to provoke our utmost involvement. God takes pleasure in hiding treasures and blessings and part of the ‘game’ is for us to dig them out and to wrestle with the application at hand. If we are not out of breath then we are not playing hard enough to win. Daily disciplines are good; but not the end. They get you to the playing field; but your heart must be in the game to enjoy it.

Dear God,
Life feels like very serious business, but sometimes I make it too seriously. Rest is so important that You sanctified the Sabbath. You established feasts (parties!) If only we could grasp what depth and richness were bottled up in the ‘abundant life’ You long to give us! Draw us into the game; help us to engage You and each other for righteous, godly living, and joy unspeakable as found only in Your presence. Help me not to retreat from challenges and changes that You have installed to bring out my very best. For Your pleasure I live.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
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*New International Version (NIV)
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**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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