Get Understanding
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“Explain how the understanding works.”
This was the response I got from Gifty, my friend of more than twenty years, and a reader of Testimony Devotional; after I posted yesterday’s devotional entitled, “What’s In The Package?”, with memory verse from Proverbs 4:7 which says,
“In all your getting, get understanding.”
As I pondered her request, I remembered I already have an article on “Understanding.” So I reproduce it here, with some modifications, and details specific to understanding God and His promises. I believe others have similar questions, and I pray this helps. Here is the article:
In a conversation with a computer hardware shop owner recently, he shared bitter experiences of how people bought his merchandise on credit, or borrowed money from him, but failed to pay.
Thinking his business could be in trouble, I advised him to try and stay clear off his business when lending to people. That way he could, at the least, keep his business running, and continue to lend his profit to the people.
I later purchased some of his stuff; and when I asked him to give me discounts on the items, he decided to quote my words back to me saying,
"You told me not to give business money to anyone."
I had to remind him, that I was not borrowing from him or buying on credit. I was simply asking for a discount; or negotiating.
He had totally misapplied the advice and the wisdom I was sharing with him.
I have seen this so many times, but he was the first to overtly quote back my own words to me.
In the next few days, I will be writing on some of the pitfalls that lead to misapplication.
The first is “Misunderstanding”.
READ Proverbs 4:1-7
Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
( Proverbs 4:1-7)
In a society where it is almost unheard of, for young people to question older people, or for subordinates to question their bosses, many people do things without understanding what they are doing.
People will usually hide under the guise of the cliché,
"Obey before complain."
or quote the Nike slogan,
"Just Do it!"
as if they are scripture!
Others will take it further when you insist on understanding and ask,
"Are you questioning me?"
Unfortunately, this has led to a culture where people don’t ask questions, and therefore fail to seek the clarity needed to get understanding. The lack of understanding has led to a lot of problems. Most of what we call “illiteracy” in our context is often lack of understanding. For example, when someone decides to cross a multi-lane highway by running across it, instead of using the approved pedestrian crossings and bridges, it is because they lack the understanding that on a multi-lane highway, you are multiple times more likely to be knocked down, and probably killed, than you are on a single lane highway. But once someone explains to them, probably with vivid illustrations using simulation and animations, they get the understanding that cumulative probability makes likelyhood of knockdown higher on a multi-lane highway. They realize the time they save by running across is not worth the very high risk of being killed, so they use the approved routes, even if they are several hundreds of meters away.
I have heard the tragic story of a cleaner in a hospital who unplugged the life support machine of patients whenever he was cleaning; till someone noticed the trend of deaths in that particular ward, and decided to investigate. I believe those deaths would have been avoided if someone took time to explain the use and importance of the life-sustaining machine to him, and made sure he understood the implications of interrupting it.
I believe the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) got into a lot of trouble because he did not understand wealth; nor did he understand how his father became wealthy, and maintained the wealth.
The word “understanding” appears three times in text we just read(in the New King James Version); and I believe it is so for emphasis.
The text concluded by saying,
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
(Proverbs 4:7)
To get understanding, you need to ask questions. I often meet school colleagues who know my name, but who I don’t even remember seeing, and when I ask how they got to know my name, they say,
"Who doesn't know Bernard? You ask a lot of questions in class."
I ask a lot of questions. I get very uncomfortable, and leave medical doctors, for example, who are not willing to answer my questions. Often we make the mistake of not asking questions when we are dealing with someone whose aura, authority, nobility, or mere exuberance intimidates us. The picture that comes to mind is; the way a houseboy in a Ghanaian or Nigerian movie runs off even before the boss finishes giving instructions! How would you achieve what is expected, if you don’t understand what is expected?
It is the same with knowing the promises of God. God’s promises are in the Bible, and when you study it, you have to ask questions. Questions like:
- What is the Bible saying?
- Who is/was the person (or people) being addressed?
- Where is/was the person(or people) being addressed?
- When is/was the person(or people) being addressed?
- Why is/was the person(or people) being addressed that way?
- What lessons can I/we learn from this, and how do we apply them to our lives?
God Himself is very happy to give us understanding. He said:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:3)
And also said,
“Come now, let us reason together.”
(Isaiah 1:18)
God has great value for people who have understanding..
Let us seek understanding, by asking questions; and encourage others to do the same.
It makes the world a better place!
MEMORY VERSE
“Ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
(James 1:5)
QUESTIONS
- Is there something you don’t understand? Ask questions and seek clarification.
- Are you happy when people around you fear to ask you questions? Their ignorance can be very costly, even fatal!
PRAYER TIP
Father God, please help us get understanding, especially of Your promises.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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