Only through the knowledge of God, can we overcome

The time of year is the time of graduation. High schools, colleges, even kindergarten students!

We take pictures at parties and celebrate the achievements of learning. And we should. It’s a great accomplishment.

But if we learn without God we have only gained information without wisdom.

A popular education magazine lamented, “American students are getting more knowledge, but are not getting smarter.”

God tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but foolish people despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“Wisdom cries out to the open, raising its voice in the public square at the city gates making her speech.

How long will you are simple love your simple ways. How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate the knowledge of God.

Repent at my rebuke!

And I will pour out my thoughts to you and make known my teachings.

But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention and you disregard my advice I will laugh when disaster strikes you and you will be mocked when calamity overtakes you.” Prov. 1:20-26

Are we so educated that we think we don’t need God? So proud we have not time for him?

Whenever we reject God we face troubles we can’t solve, disasters we can’t stop.

Prov. 1:27, “when calamity overtakes you like a storm or disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind or distress and trouble overwhelm you, 28 then you call to me, but I will not answer, you look for me but can’t find me, because you hate the knowledge of God and did not choose the Lord.”

It’s like watching a 1-year-old determined to hold the spoon or fork in their hand, refusing to let an adult feed them. They can’t pick up the food with the utensil, nor get it in their mouth — but they stubbornly refuse to be helped. Then they cry and get mad because they are hungry.

If we only gain knowledge and information, but never have transformation, then maybe all that information is just for jeopardy game shows.

God wants us to gain wisdom and understanding.

But God is not your pet on a leash that you tell him what to do.

When we live our lives gaining knowledge without God and then get mad at God and cry out to him because live doesn’t go the way we want or injustice happens in our lives, God declares, “I won’t answer you, you look for me but will not find me.” Prov. 1:28

Somehow we think we can ignore God and then get his help to fix our problems.

It is only through the knowledge of God that we can overcome. He will help us, deliver us, save us. He is our only source of Hope and purpose. Without hope or purpose what is knowledge for?

So the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.

Let’s put our hope and trust in God rather than a diploma or Ph.D.