“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Psalm 25:14) (TLB)
While it is true that to gain wisdom and understanding we must fear God, this is only half of the story. We also need to ‘know’ him – not just ‘knowing about’, but ‘knowing’ in the sense of experiencing a deep and personal friendship with him.
When I was a new in my faith, one of the Youth Group leaders shared that when things seemed confusing and complicated in his life, he would remind himself of the simple yet profound relationship of ‘God and me’. For him, it was getting back to the basics, to the only thing that really mattered. That was many years ago, but I still find his words a powerful reminder to recognise the relationship that is at the core of who I am, and how I live my life.
In the same way, gaining wisdom starts with ‘God and me’. Like Adam and Eve, we can walk in the Garden with him – confiding in him, sharing our deepest fears, and opening our hearts to him. In these times he reveals himself to us, sharing the ‘secrets of his promises’ and replacing our doubts and fears with the knowledge of his perfect love. What an extraordinary privilege!
So, the starting point for gaining wisdom is found in both fear and friendship. In acknowledging him in all his glory, and yet marvelling at the intimate relationship we can have with him through Jesus.
Karen Barclay
