Knowledge

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. (Proverbs 8:12-17 ESV). I am amazed how often I am told I need to know something new. In less than a week I will have another birthday. At sixty-seven you would think I had learned just about all the stuff I need to know. A recent exchange with my son proved that to be an error. Kyle was working with the remote to access the computer that controls the programming of the pool pumps and cleaners and asked me a question about the variable speed pump. My response was that I didn’t know and didn’t want to know. His comment was that I was not old enough to stop learning new things. I hate it when my kids are right. Knowledge is exploding more quickly than any of us can keep up. It seems that the more there is to know, the more we “need to know.” Many people have felt the pressure of acquiring more knowledge. Sometimes we just aren’t satisfied until we know more. The best grades and the most certificates of training are prized. In fact, sometimes it’s almost as if we worship knowledge. It is good that we desire to know more. However, when we begin to trust knowledge to keep us safe, to keep us ahead of the pack, to get the best deals and the best jobs we fall into a dangerous trap of our world. Please don’t misunderstand, knowledge isn’t bad. However, there can be a dark side to it. When we want to know the inside story about people so we can talk about them, it can only lead to our destruction as well as others. When we want to know certain facts about others so that we can control them; that will always end badly for both parties. Look at our reading today. The writer simply states that wisdom can be found (v. 17). It does require effort. He uses the word “diligently” in talking about the search. I have found that to be true in my life about every subject. If it is worth knowing, it usually comes with a greater price than merely opening a file on the computer and watching a video. Once we get this knowledge there are some good things that come with it. The writer says we gain insight and strength. We bring honor to God when we seek to know the things he has shown us. We bring honor to him when we trust him for what he has shown us of himself in his world and his word. Now, I don’t know if I’m convinced I need to know all the parameters of the variable speed pool pump and how to program it for maximum benefit. I do know that learning is a process that should never stop. Renew your commitment to gain wisdom and knowledge. You’ll be better for it.