Look around and you might say, “What we least desire to know in this world is truth and integrity.” Oh, that wasn’t always the case, nor is it my desire. In fact, I have heard so much noise, differing ideologies lately that I only wish to cry. I desire to weep over our nation, our world, our cities, and our families. All to often, truth and integrity are cast aside for “how do you feel?” What is your reality? As if reality can change. Or truth be relative to one’s feelings and interpretation of it. It is no wonder we see such bitterness and strife in the world around us. Sorrow surrounds my heart from my mother’s lonely isolation into confusion to young children who do not know how to even explain what they feel.
Our nation may truly be on the verge of collapse, if we don’t awaken from our slumber. Even then, what can we do to avoid the devastation of all that we love? More importantly, I must ask, what can I do? Well in part, we must become like the prophetess in Proverbs calling into the streets, awaken and heed the call to wisdom. But to do so, we must also remember that the harvest is not ours; but Gods. Nations may come and go; but ultimately God’s plan for His redeemed is unwavering. That was true in Daniel’s day and it is true for us.
Daniel—a patriarch of truth and integrity
Daniel watched as Israel and Judah fell to the Babylonians. He lived under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar when Babylonia was at its peak. Furthermore, he watched as they were defeated by the Medo-Persian empire. He was given positions of prestige and power in each of these areas and he watched as the nation of Israel returned to Jerusalem. Regardless of all the evil that surrounded him, Daniel remained a man of truth and integrity. For this he was thrown in the lion’s den, where he walked among the lions with Jesus, unharmed.
Do we dare to walk with Jesus in the lion den that surrounds us today? We must for He is all we truly need. So, let us stand with truth and integrity, seeking wisdom as a treasure more precious than silver or rubies.
PROVERBS 2:1-5 (NET)
My child, if you receive my words,
and store up my commands inside yourself, by making your ear attentive to wisdom,
and by turning your heart to understanding,
3 indeed, if you call out for discernment—
shout loudly for understanding—
4 if you seek it like silver,
and search for it like hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand how to fear the LORD
and you will discover knowledge about God.
To Seek to Know God—considering Knowledge of Him as a greater treasure than all else brings purpose and joy to life, regardless of all the sorrows that surround you. He is the abiding steadfast joy that turns your tears of sorrow into tears of joy in His presence. For in His presence is joy everlasting. He is truth and integrity. What more does one get? Well I propose, these are but 4 of the gifts we receive when we seek wisdom, as outlined in Proverbs 2.
1. Wisdom, knowledge and Understanding
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
Imagine that! Wisdom is a gift given by God, if only we seek Him. Truth and Integrity are God’s to give to all who seek His wisdom.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and up braideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5.
2. Counsel to know what if Truth and Integrity
He guards our path like a shield—the shield of truth to protect us against the enemy
7 He stores up effective counsel for the upright
and is like a shield for those who live with integrity,
8 to guard the paths of the righteous
and to protect the way of his pious ones. Proverbs 2:7-8
I so want to know what the right thing is to do, to know what is best for my family, my patients, and my nation. But how? Only God can guide and counsel us on what is truth and integrity that we might stand upon that foundation. So we are like trees planted by waters where our roots run so deep that the winds and billows can not cause us to break.
3. Discretion in all that you do, allowing you to avoid evil
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity—every good way. How desperately do we need to truly understand righteousness and justice right now in this our wonderful country! Each political side screaming so loudly, how desperate we are to know the truth and integrity we long to see. How?
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.
(Something to be desired above all the frivolous joys of this world.)
11 Discretion (knowing how to discern truth and integrity from the lies and evil of this world) will protect you, (to keep you safe).
Understanding will guard you (Oh how we need understanding!)
12 to deliver you from the way of the wicked, from those speaking perversity
13 who leave the upright paths
to walk on the dark ways,
14 who delight in doing evil
they rejoice in perverse evil;
15 whose paths are morally crooked
and who are devious in their ways;
4. Keeps Your Purity When Tempted (have a way of escape)
16 To deliver you from the adulterous woman, (anyone or anything who draws you away from God being your first love)
From the loose woman who has flattered you with her words;
17 who leaves the husband from her younger days,
and has ignored her marriage covenant made before God.
18 For she has set her house by death,
and her paths by the place of the departed spirits.
19 None who go in to her will return,
nor will they reach the paths of life.
(Seek God, search for Him as a precious treasure.)
20 So you will walk in the way of good people,
21 For the upright will reside in the land,
and those with integrity will remain in it,
22 but the wicked will be removed from the land,
and the treacherous will be torn away from it.
[bctt tweet=”One day God will say, done He will call His people home and give to all who remain what they have asked for: a world without Him, but they will find–that is truly Hell!” username=”effiedarlene”]
Concluding Thoughts
Seek after Jesus. Let Truth and Integrity reign in your mortal bodies through His strength. He died on the cross that you might gain His wisdom, God’s wisdom. Only then can you rise above all the pain, sorrow, anger, and despair of this world. Because you know, in the end you gain everything. The victory of Jesus is yours already and He will lift you high into heavenly realms so you like Daniel can soar even in the storms! Whatever comes of this our land, we know that God is all we need. And we can trust Him to do what is best, for He is truth and integrity. He is the Sovereign God, and there is no other like Him in Mercy, Love, Justice and Everlasting Joy for those who love Him. For those who are called to be His children. Do you know Him?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
New English Translation (NET)
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