\n<\/p>\n
If you seek it in the form of silver,
\nAnd seek them like hidden treasures;
\nThen you will understand the fear of the Lord,
\nAnd attain the knowledge of God.
\n(Proverbs 2:4,5)<\/p>\n
If we think that we can get the silver and gold of God’s goodness without any hard work then we are nothing but fools. As for wisdom, Solomon said that it will be found by those who \u201csearch for it like silver\u201d and \u201csearch for it like hidden treasure.\u201d Nothing less can be said for God himself. It must be sought with a certain amount of perseverance and discipline. Those who hope to “understand the fear of the Lord and gain the knowledge of God” should be prepared to undertake some mountaineering.<\/p>\n
To say this is not to teach \u201cworks of righteousness.\u201d Whatever conditions God may have set for a right relationship with Him, our fulfillment of those conditions in no way takes away the gift that is given. Our salvation comes by the grace of God. But at the same time, God’s grace is not for the lazy, and He has created the reality of this world in such a way that it will not be found by those who are unwilling to seek it. So think of it this way: no hard work on our part Sufficient<\/em> to find god, but it is necessary.<\/em><\/p>\n Unfortunately, worldly people often work harder on their own projects than on godly works. And sometimes, they also show more good sense and cleverness. Jesus said that “the sons of this world are more cunning in their generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8). In his comments on this text, William Barclay said, “If the Christian were as eager and simple in his endeavor to obtain goodness as the man of the world is in his endeavor to obtain wealth and comfort, he would be a far better man.”<\/p>\n Yet it is not that only the lazy fail to try; It is also frustrating. Faced with difficult difficulties, we give up and fail to keep trying. And of course, Satan, our enemy, loves to do that. He takes perverse pleasure in the fear that prevents us from taking even a step in the direction of God. But he doesn’t need to say the last word. We can determine that, with God as our helper, we will summon courage, self-respect and energy. . . Work!<\/em><\/p>\n “Surrender to despair is man’s favorite pastime. God provides a better plan, but it takes effort to achieve it and faith to claim it” (Charles R. Swindoll).<\/p>\n