Proverbs 3:13 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding”
There was a season when Wendy and I were contemplating moving to Sydney, Australia. We sensed God’s call and we had seen circumstances of our life change so that a move to Australia could be considered. What a thought it was though (for me at least). I was 17 years into a career with a large company, had found a sweet spot for me to flourish and bring my best, Wendy was at the top of her game and working in a dream job for her. We had a house that I absolutely loved – views over the mountains, three living spaces, a beautiful garden, great neighbours, family nearby and opportunities everywhere. We had finally little savings (if you have children you know what I mean) and both had cars.
To go to Australia seemed like a big thought, a big leap of faith really.
We prayed, we chatted and we considered ways. We got to a place where we thought to ourselves, if this is God then he will make a way, if this is not God, he knows our hearts and will help re-direct us if this is a mistake.
This was still a season impacted by the GFC, so the thought of selling our house was a concern. There were two similar houses up for sale near where we lived and had they not had anyone even look at them for 6 months. Wendy put our house on Facebook (this was 2010) and it sold in a week and for a little over our asking price.
We did not yet have enough money to live in Sydney for 3 years if I was to study a degree in Theology, but we now had a start and we had done all we could at this point. We decided we were all in, we were going now. Shortly afterwards and totally unforeseen I was offered a job for a year in Australia (Tassie).
We then went through the complex job of leaving a country, leaving family, leaving careers and friends, selling items, giving items away, trying to get value for the bigger items in the short time we had. I had to go right away so Wendy and Rachel finished off the last few months in the UK and that was a massive job.
Eventually – when all the selling, giving, packing and leaving was completed, Wendy, Rachel and I met in Tassie at the airport to start our new adventure. I learned something foundational for me at this time. I learned that I had to step out and then God would provide. I think I had many times in my life waiting for God to provide so that I could step out. Of course, I needed to hear from God first, and that goes to a relationship with God, which is where everything starts.
KNOWLEDGE
We get notice of the outcome before the actions. We are called to attention at the first word. Who does not want to go forwards happily in life? As we read this we may well become very aware of our current condition, measuring against this statement, and asking where we are in context. A million thoughts will go through our minds in a few seconds as we try to position ourselves. We will be aware [most of us] of a gap. There is room for improvement. So we read on with a question on our lips that has risen from our hearts – what is it we should do so that we can live like this?
It’s for everyone, so you are never excluded. It can be found – so all you have to do is look for it. And we are back at the feet of wisdom – moral purity, holiness, being hidden in Christ. In Hebrews 11:6 it is written, “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.
Diligent seeking……..reward……without faith. I hear an echo of Proverbs 3:13 here.
Moral purity is not something we dress up in or acquire through constant pressured striving, rather it is imparted to us by faith in Jesus. We are the righteousness of God [2Cor 5:21]. When Jesus died on the cross, he did not just pay for our sin and leave us in the same condition, he also exchanged our sinfulness for His righteousness. So now, daily, we can know what it is to live a blessed [going happily forwards every day in every situation] life through His resurrection power.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? Blessed is a word that appears 306 times in the Old Testament, this Hebrew word used here is pronounced ” ‘eser” and appears 45 times. It is translated into English [ESV] as blessed or happy, and that’s exactly what it means.
WISDOM: what power is fuelling your life?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Activator – you are a gifted innovator who keeps chasing progress, continue to evaluate consequences as you stride forwards.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [the person who uncovers and discovers the fountain of moral goodness in their life will find the best way forwards in life, as will the person who moves in insight, ability and skill, they will be happily advancing in all areas]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to tune into your voice, to lean into your ways and to step into your plans for my life. Thank you.
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Wisdom and understanding pair together nicely! Scripture tells us in James that if we lack wisdom we should ask God who gives it generously, so we have no excuse to lack it. Understanding, knowledge is a great thing but knowing how and when to use them is wisdom. The knowledge of God is the beginning of it and the Holy Spirit is prepared to gift us a word of wisdom! When I see how willing God is to endow me with wisdom I feel all the wiser already, knowing that He is my all sufficiency and my great reward!
We prayed, we chatted and we considered ways. We got to a place where we thought to ourselves, if this is God then he will make a way, if this is not God, he knows our hearts and will help re-direct us if this is a mistake.
Love that sentence. Love how you guys prayed and seeked him first fogether. Love that you stepped out in faith, trusted and He provided, but remind us about our r/ship with God and to hear from God first.
Thank you again for a great encouraging testimony Pastor Allan!!!
This verse speaks to me that blessings come when I seek after wisdom diligently & find it out of a pure heart to obey & trust God. It is an action word from a stance in knowing Christ as my righteousness & once I get the understanding needed for each situation I can then use my faith to move forward in that assurance trusting God will direct my way. Staying in close relationship with the Lord & listening to His voice will keep me walking out my faith & trust in all the challenges along the way. There may well be times when I might be off course but I have a knowing that He will redirect me if necessary because if He sees my motives are pure then His heart is to always reward me!! What an amazing Heavenly Father we know & how blessed are we to be His children!!
To have faith and trust in God In every season of your life,to believe in Him always
Thank you pastor Allan
It seems inevitable that Blessing follows Wisdom Amen! To find wisdom is to search for it, ask after it , know it is a good thing !
And in this life to understand what is Truly good does bring us happiness and every good thing from our provider Jehovah .
Heb 11:6 to diligently seek Him and please him is to ask for His wisdom to lead us in a life Of abundance . And I love that the word says , that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Beautiful Allan . Thank you
Stepping out first requires a huge amount of faith. It’s as if God puts something before you and opens up a light on the path and then as we take a step he shows us a little bit more and do it goes on until we see where God is leading and what He says. So often we want the full picture first before we step out!
I enjoy the devotionals everyday, but I really enjoyed today. I can’t tell you how much this blessed and encouraged my heart. “going happily forwards every day in every situation”, ultimately because I’m hidden In Christ. Blessed, all because of what Jesus has done, I can ask for wisdom and be blessed. This is reason to rejoice. Thank you Pastor Allan.
Very glad you made that decision to come to Oz!
Thanks for this Allan, timely reminder for me about stepping out first
Thank you ,Pastor Allan, for your story about your life changing decision. It takes a whole lot of courage to step out in faith. There will be be doubts, should we or shouldn’t we? But it shows how complete trust in Him will bring us through.
“I learned that I had to step out and then God would provide”
This is something I am currently working on to have more faith and trust in God instead of myself.
Thank you Pastor Allan for sharing your life and obeying God’s call to come to Australia. Wendy and you are such a blessing to our church.