Recently I began to think of the word perceive. I believe I know what it means to perceive something – but to be sure I went to the dictionary and found these meanings:
1 a: to attain awareness or understanding of b: to regard as being such
2: to become aware of through the senses ; especially : see, observe (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
So when I read the following scripture, I saw the difference:
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity; Proverbs 1:1-3 (KJV)
Wisdom and instruction we can know, we can know it by being taught, by receiving instruction. We can also receive the instruction of justice, judgement and equity. there are things we can be taught by teachers, by life, by receiving lessons learned from experience. But understanding is something we have to perceive, we have to intuitively be able to understand. It transcends the intellect and becomes a heart thing. Understanding is something that we not only have to open ourselves up to, but we have to embrace.
One of the favorite things I used to hear my father-in-law preach on was Genesis 1: 1-3
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”.
And then he would explain this verse by saying the light was the light of understanding.
As a deep thinker I could appreciate this interpretation for I knew that no matter what is around you, in front of you, even in you, if you have no understanding of its’ purpose or function, it is as if it does not exist.
God leads us every day we allow Him to. He doesn’t shout, or make boisterous sounds or moves, but in a still small voice He speaks to our spirit and He lets us know what we should do – and, what we shouldn’t. Some people call it conscience, others say the universe is always speaking to us. I take that inner voice to be my Father that tells me to grab my purse before I get out of the car because He knows that I’ve already dropped my keys in the purse, and when I get out of the car I’m going to lock it automatically, and with the keys inside my purse, it will take hours to get the door unlocked!
Yes, God speaks in mysteries, but He also speaks loud and clear in our spirit and tells us not to go on the Dan Ryan today, instead go over to Lake Shore Drive, because He knows the Dan Ryan is going to be like a parking lot.
We can trust that inner voice that tells us things we shouldn’t do, but if we practice listening to that voice, and comparing what you hear with what you READ in God’s word, you will also find that the deep mysteries of life that used to confuse you will open up. Suddenly you will find, the lights have come on – you undersand what it means to love, to wait, to stand! This week we are going to look at perceiving understanding in a whole new way.
God Bless You,
Maria