Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Know the Word – Breaking Ground





This post is part of the Christian Writer's blog chain. This month's topic “pursue”. Please visit my fellow bloggers listed to the right.


This is the third try at a topic I thought would be rather simple to write about – Pursue- right? Not the case. I began with a quick run down on the typical themes, but something didn't feel right, something missing – something nagging me, calling me, pursuing me. For a writer getting the words right is a big deal, after all that is what we do.

Finally it hit me – the Proverbs of Solomon – the Book of Wisdom. How wise was Solomon, how true His council “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). Some of my life verses are found in the book of Proverbs – pure nuggets of gold!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His ways in all you do and He will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn you back on evil” Proverbs 3:5-8

It was many years ago, during a study of Proverbs that I learned the basics of Godly wisdom and discovered how much I didn't know. It was the Lord breaking up hard ground that had been compacted by many years of living in the world, so many erroneous ideas about the Lord and what He expected of me. I discovered that to FEAR the Lord is to honor Him – to Pursue a relationship with Him.

The prophet Hosea wrote, “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him! Then he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early Spring” Hosea 6:3

In pursuit of knowing the Lord I've gained wisdom and understanding while He continues to prepare the soil of my heart to receive more and more from Him. “Choose my instruction rather than silver and knowledge over pure gold” Proverbs 8:10

But, it's not a one way street, the Lord is in constant pursuit of us. “Trouble chases sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!” Proverbs 13:21

We have been chosen to receive God's mercy and blessing as we put our faith in His Word.



15 comments:

chris said...

Sweet Terrie!! I am glad I read yours after I wrote mine though... He is amazing, isn't He. Loved this!!

Michael Johnson said...

"It was the Lord breaking up hard ground that had been compacted by many years of living in the world"
This is gold. I've found that I don't particularly like the way God does this plowing, but He is doing it to make us into the image of His Son.

Bill Jones said...

Excellent Terrie - thank you.
Breaking up hard ground definitely brought to mind another verse in Hosea
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12

Unknown said...

Thank you Chris, your comments are truly a blessing! - Funny, I had the same impression as I read your post. The Lord is amazing!

Unknown said...

Thank you Michael- for a very long time I didn't like the feeling of being "plowed" but as the Lord grew me up, I understand that it is because He adores us.

Tracy Krauss said...

I love the fact that this is a two way street. Several people have mentioned this in their posts recently which speaks to me that it is, indeed, a truth to be considered and pondered.

SandiGrace said...

Beautiful Terrie! This post is very welcome and much appreciated! Thank you. I'm reminded of Psalm 73:25, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth." (NASB)

P. Creeden said...

Thank God he never gives up in his pursuit! :) Your post was a blessing!

E. G. Lewis said...

Your closing reminds me of the term, The Hound of Heaven, which typifies Christ as a relentless pursuer of souls. Peace and Blessings

Adam Collings said...

I like how you point out that God is pursuing us. I think this is one of the big thing's that sets Christianity apart from the religions of the word.
Religion is man's quest to find God.
Christianity is God's quest to save man.

Jack Brown said...

Gods pursuit is relentless
liked your post
biiiiig hug

Keith Wallis said...

I just thank God that He's constantly in pursuit of me. So when I tire of 'doing my own thing' He catches me with grace.

Deborah K. Anderson said...

I'm thinkin' we're related or something. We have way too much in common.

God continuously unfolds those nuggets to me, especially when reading in Proverbs. How I love Sister Wisdom, and Kinswoman Understanding!

God bless you, girl.

lynnmosher said...

So glad you decided on this post, Terrie! Such a great reminder that God is always in pursuit of each one of us! Sorry I'm so late in commenting. Life has been somewhat overwhelming lately.

Traci B said...

Terrific post, Terrie. Sorry I didn't get here sooner, but I was away at Camp (Camp NaNoWriMo, that is). ;)