Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;
but a person of understanding draws it out. (Proverbs 20:5)
In today’s proverb, there are so many lessons that we can apply into our lives. Let’s dig deep into this proverb to get some helpful advice. The first idea is that we need to get to know one another by going deep. The picture we get is one of digging deep into a well to get water. This is not easily attained, and it requires us to really do some work. Why do we need to draw out the counsel of a person’s heart? There are 3 possible reasons. First, maybe a person has an apprehension to letting their feelings be known. Second, a person may have great and godly advice and experiences, but they are modest and slow to speak and discuss. Third, maybe a person has evil things in their heart and they are afraid to share for fear of condemnation. Are we willing to dig deep with one another? It will take effort. It will be inconvenient. It will make us vulnerable and it could get messy. Yet, we need to remember that God is with us and will give us all that we need to help each other.
The second part of this proverb gives all of us hope. Wisdom not only knows how to get and have wisdom, but also how to use it. The wise man (person of understanding) knows how to draw wisdom out for practical and daily use. For parents, do we invest the time with our children, to communicate and build trust so that we learn their hearts and minds and know what matters most to them? We need to combine love, knowledge and authority to open up our children’s hearts and help them. For children, do they dig deep into the well of counsel and get advice and help from their parents? Are we giving our children a safe environment where they can dig out sincere and loving instruction from their parents?
Thanks be to God that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor who helps us to find valuable treasures of wisdom and knowledge that can only be found in Him. As we dig deeper in relationship with others, let’s seek Jesus’ wisdom at the center of everything we do.