The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom, and to Forsake Evil is Understanding

AM Psalm [70], 71 • PM Psalm 74
Job 28:1-28 • Acts 16:25-40 • John 12:27-36a

If you have time to read Job 28, please read all twenty-eight verses. It’s a lovely poem describing a futile quest throughout God's wonderful creation for wisdom. The poem begins, “Surely there is a vein for gold and a place for silver where people find it,” but wisdom cannot be found there. The author concludes the poem with a simple instruction: “The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to forsake evil is understanding,” that is, if I may rephrase the instruction positively, “live in awe of the Lord and do good.”

Would that we could be satisfied with that wise and simple understanding, but no, like Job, we want to understand, why God permits sorrow, pain, and suffering, of which, oh Lord, we your people endure so much, and why God doesn’t give us the understanding we crave. The Book of Job, as well as the poetry of other writers, expresses that craving better than I can:

Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend
With thee; but sir, so what I plead is just. 
(Gerard Manley Hopkins quoting from the Book of Jeremiah)

Of Course—I prayed—
And did God Care?
He cared as much as on the Air
A Bird—had stamped her foot—
And cried “Give Me”—
My reason—Life—
I had not had—but for Yourself—
’Twere better Charity
To leave me in the Atom's tomb—
Merry, and nought, and gay, and numb
Than this smart Misery.
(Emily Dickinson)

Oh God, why have you cast us off forever;
Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?
(the psalmist of Psalm 74)

You are he who took me from my mother's womb....
Do not cast me off in the time of old age.
(the psalmist of Psalm 71)

No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief,
More pangs, skilled at forepangs, wilder wring.
Comforter, where, where is you comforting?
Mary, mother of us, where is your relief?
(Gerard Manley Hopkins)

Behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me! 
(Job:31:33)

Yet life is good. And it is a good thing that poets like Job can create beauty out of our sufferings and can affirm life over death, wisdom over ignorance, joy over suffering, and a loving but questioning connection with our Creator.

I therefore suggest we join with these poets in praying for answers, for relief from suffering, and especially for the grace to love the Lord, depart from evil ways, and do good.

Written by John DuVal

John is thankful that his son Niell has had a safe adventure riding his bicycle in the Austrian and Italian Alps.