I’ve been on a search. 

Searching for discernment and guidance and knowledge and assurance about decisions.  I’ve been on a search for…wisdom.

My “go-to” passage for these kinds of searches has always been Proverbs 2, as evidenced by the fact that I just counted 24 different dates written next to that passage in my Bible. Wow – even I’m impressed.  I’m running out of room.  I hope it’s just that I’ve learned to seek God about the daily decisions in life rather than my life being that complicated!

But in both the common daily quandaries and the Big, Complicated Decisions, God has always been faithful to give me the wisdom I need.  This morning I decided to look up the passage in some different scripture translations.  Here is the paraphrase from The Message. 

Good words.  Good visuals.  A good God.

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.

 And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free,
   is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,
   a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,
   and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

 So now you can pick out what’s true and fair,
   find all the good trails!
Lady Wisdom will be your close friend,
   and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,
   Insight will keep an eye out for you.
They’ll keep you from making wrong turns,
   or following the bad directions
Of those who are lost themselves
   and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed.

Proverbs 2: 1-13  The Message