Maybe I don’t need to tell anyone this, but there are a lot of reasons I’ll never be on Jeopardy. One big one is that I can very reasonably imagine Alex Trebek saying something like, “Please remember to phrase all your ignorance in the form of a question.”
Um, I’ll take “No Way I’ll Ever Get Any of These Right” for 200 please, Alex.
What if the question that’s the answer, isn’t my answer? What if my question is just really a question? Because I don’t know the answer to the question – or the question to the answer? See, I’m completely confused and we haven’t even gotten to any real questions.
The good news is that even though I may not know the answers to all the questions – or the questions to all the answers – I do know where to find what I really need to know to determine my way in life. I’m pressing the button here. Anytime we need light for life’s path, God’s Word is the answer. “I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:102-105).
People often talk about the difficulty they find understanding God’s Word. But the Lord honors our seeking. I love Prov. 8:9-11. It’s about who it is who gives us clarity. “My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” The Father gives wisdom and understanding as we seek Him. And it’s more valuable than anything material – even if you won every game show on the planet.
Ps. 119:36-37 backs that up: “Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.” Material things are like life-points never really redeemed. But the way of the Lord? It is life! Just a few verses earlier, we’re reminded again who gives us the ability to understand these truths. “I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding” (Ps.119:32).
As we “pursue” as the psalmist did, the Lord continues to make His truths clear. Pursue understanding and He will give real life. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to His treasure trove of instruction, wisdom and the life-giving truths in His Word and He will.
It might not get you a better score on Jeopardy, but the wisdom we find in His truth can keep you out of the real kind of jeopardy – the most disastrous kind. “But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster” (Prov. 1:33). Safe and without jeopardy. There’s your Daily Double.
Pursuing the God of truth and His wisdom leads to the place of right answers.
As for the right game show question/answer? Beep-beep-beep, time’s up. But I was thinking I might get better if I worked with flashcards. Then I thought, nah. That would probably just help me come up with the wrong answers faster.