Going on a Treasure Hunt

I read this verse recently and it so stuck with me:

"Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding. That’s right—if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5

photo credit: Stoon at freedigitalphotos.net

Ok. First of all, who out of us as kids didn't like going on a treasure hunt? We were all sure we could find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or the "X" that marked the spot. Not only was there fun in the expedition, but there was the anticipation of the end of the journey. We were on a hunt for treasure and nothing would stop us!

I want that same feeling when pursuing God's wisdom. When pursuing him. And that's what this verse is all about. And let's be clear, this verse doesn't reference "fear-of-God" as us cowering in the corner...I mean, how is that fun to find? It's referring to a holy reverence of God. Our pastor often relates this to electricity. You have a healthy fear of its power, don't you? You're not trembling every time you flip on a light switch and are in relationship with it, but you're not about to hold a live wire and step into a puddle. You understand the amazing power behind electricity.

That's what the fear of God is. Knowing him so intimately that you understand his awesome power and thus have a complete respect for it. But you don't simply know and respect that power, no, you understand that power is focused on you. On helping you live an abundant life and on protecting you.

But the verse above digs even deeper for that treasure. It's not only the intimate relationship with God, it's the knowledge of God. Left to our own we don't always make the best decisions. We can't see the whole picture. We are easily swayed by feelings. But when we consult God we tap into a bottomless wisdom that will never steer us wrong. I'd rather use his wisdom any day over my own.

So, I'm ready to go on that treasure hunt. How about you?