Finding Wisdom

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

for doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young--

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance--

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 1:1-7

I wonder if there is a magic formula:  If I do a certain thing or live a specific way, it will be mind.  I study tomes of godly instruction, looking for it.  I'm told it comes with age and experience.  But if I really want to find wisdom, I need look no further than God.

Treasure Commands.  I think I sometimes get a little mixed up.  Knowing I am saved by grace and realizing I'm set free from following the commands of God in order to save myself, I get the idea that His law is not important (Romans 7:4, Galatians 5:1).  That I can throw His statutes out the window.  That there is no longer any need for paying attention to His regulations.

Then I stumble upon 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and find that all of God's Word is from His mouth and "is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  So I learn to take His law seriously, realizing these commands are a window into the heart of God, giving me insight into what is important to Him.  When I cherish all of scripture, including His law, I will find wisdom from God.  While it does not save me, God's law is included in the Bible for a reason, and therefore is meant to be appreciated.

I will find wisdom when I treasure God's commands.

Attentive Ear and Inclined Heart.  I tend to reach a point when I've had enough.  It's not that I think I know it all, but rather that I've learned so many new things I wonder if there could be anything more.  My world is often so rocked by fresh insight into God's ways that I think I can't possibly take any more in, that there is no more room for growth, that I need a respite from being stretched and pushed.  

But it seems that God is never at rest when it comes to my sanctification (Philippians 1:6).  He is always at work showing me new insight into His heart, a higher perspective when it comes to suffering, a alternative viewpoint of this world and His kingdom.  Since He is always at work, it makes sense that I should stay hungry for more.  If I reach a point of satiation, when I push myself away from His bountiful table, I am shutting myself off from receiving more insight into His kingdom.  

Therefore, it is important that I keep my ear trained on hearing more of His lessons and my heart open to receiving what He has for me.  Perhaps this is why Jesus often said, "Whoever has ears, let them hear (Mark 4:9, Matthew 11:15)."  Only those who were hungry for more of what He had to offer would be able to catch the lesson He was teaching.  And the same is true for me today.

I will find wisdom when I keep my ear attentive to His messages and my heart inclined toward receiving what He has for me.

Seeking.  Sometimes I'm only looking for what will help me get ahead.  Or I pick and choose what I really want to know. Or I have my radar up for what will help me in my current dilemma. If there is wisdom regarding a subject that doesn't interest me or that I judge as unimportant at this time of my life, I easily toss it aside as insignificant.

Instead, I would be better off adopting the attitude of a hunter, constantly seeking for godly insight, searching for it like a treasure hunter looks for hidden fortunes even if it doesn't seem to apply to me.  When a nugget of wisdom is found, I can hold onto it even if it makes no sense to me at this time, trusting that God will use it for my good and His glory.  In time I will see it's importance and it may help me realize that everything isn't about me.  Sometimes its good to take myself out of the picture altogether and simply be content to learn more about God's incredible character.

I will find wisdom when I seek for God's insight and understanding apart from my own life application.

Education is big in today's culture and I often lump wisdom in with knowledge that can be acquired.  But if I truly want godly insight and understanding to be mine, I must treasure God's commands, cultivate an attentive ear and inclined heart, and seek His wisdom as if it were the greatest treasure.  When I practice these ways, I will find wisdom that comes from God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to take His commands as important, even if it doesn't seem to apply to me.

When do I toss parts of God's Word aside because I can't relate to it?

How am I careless with scripture I don't see as relevant?

Done Foolishly

"'You have done a foolish thing,' Samuel said.

'You have not kept the command

the LORD your God gave you;

if you had,

he would have established your kingdom

over Israel for all time.'"

1 Samuel 13:13

Saul had good reason to take matters into his own hands and make offerings to the Lord without Samuel.  His troops were scattering, the courage of his men was waning, and the enemy's forces were mustering, gathering more and more strength with each passing hour.  He was the leader:  He must make a decision!

Adding to the justification of his resolve to cease waiting and start acting was the fact that Samuel did not show up when he said he would.  Saul felt he had no choice but to go ahead without the judge and prophet.  He would never attempt such a feat as fighting the Philistines without first seeking God's favor.  Therefore, it seemed he was left without an option; it was time to offer up the sacrifice himself. (1 Samuel 13:1-10)

It is easy to do what seems right and what looks like the wise choice, but to completely disregard God's command.  If I am to avoid this pitfall of Saul, I had better stop acting foolishly.

According to Man's Wisdom

God helps those who help themselves.

Don't worry, be happy.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

It seems right to my common-sense-way-of-thinking that God probably does want me to make an effort in solving my own problems, to simply replace my worry with a smile, to save as much money as possible, and to keep my house, belongings and body clean as a way to get closer to Him.  

If I ask God for wisdom, however, and study His Word, I will find something quite different.  In reality, God gives strength to those who wait on Him (Isaiah 40:31), the only anecdote to worry is prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), a wise investment is one that is made in Him and His kingdom (Luke 12:16-21, Matthew 6:19-21), and godliness comes through self-sacrifice and seeking God and His kingdom above all things (Romans 12:1, Matthew 6:33)

When stress is building and I'm looking for something to grasp onto, it's easy for me to reach out to what is convenient and readily available.  If the advice seems right, I'm ready to jump in with both feet, accepting the wise words as truth.  

Since it doesn't seem to be working to wait on God's timing and I'm wondering if He might have forgotten about me.  I'm tempted to find my own solution and start making things happen.   Or, I tirelessly search for different treatments to cure what ails me, constantly trying alternate remedies and seeking the advice of medical professionals, never once committing my health to the Lord who is the Great Healer. (Jeremiah 17:14)  Or I constantly hear messages about smart, financial investments and I start believing the only responsible thing is for me to go after what I need, forgetting that I have a Father who already knows what is necessary for my life.  (Matthew 6:31-33)

I am acting a fool when I live my life according to man's wisdom instead of God's.

Disregarding God's Commands

I know what God said, but it doesn't really apply to this particular situation.

God will understand.  It's just this once. . .

I usually don't but I have no other choice.

I can come up with a million justifications for my rebellious actions but when God sees my unwillingness to do as He has commanded, it's only called one thing:  Disobedience.   Therefore, it should be my highest desire to pay attention to what God teaches to me and to do as He says.

When a coworker stabs me in the back, jeopardizing my job, my natural response is to defend my reputation and preserve my position.   If I honestly seek the Lord in this situation, however, I might find that it is His desire that I respond in love, graciously forgiving my attacker and letting God use this trial in a way that glorifies Him.  Handling the crisis my way might have saved my job, but a prime opportunity to further God's kingdom and produce godly fruit was lost. (Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 3:8)

When I'm laboring over the tax forms, stressing about all the money I owe the federal government, a friend shows me a way out.  As I ponder her suggestion I realize it seems like a fail-safe plan.  Making the necessary adjustments would save me thousands of dollars in taxes, but would cost me much more in my relationship with the Lord.  (Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:6-7)

When I pass by the homeless people sprawled out on the sidewalk, I feel disgusted at the way they are ruining the atmosphere of the downtown area.  When I get home, I am so bothered that I write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, demanding action by the authorities to "clean up the mess."  My way of thinking may garner much support, but it flies in the face of God's desire for me to love the unlovable and reach out to those in need.  (Matthew 5:42-48, Luke 10:25-37)

I'm acting a fool when I disregard what God has taught me through His Word.

Led by Desperation

The birds cowered in the bush, listening to the sound of the hunter quietly approaching.  One of the pheasants grew anxious, finding it hard to stay put.  Even though her friends implored her to hunker down and stay in the safety of their cover, this nervous Nellie suddenly fluttered out of the tall grasses, unable to sit there while danger lurked so close.  She must have felt doing something was better than doing nothing.  Unfortunately, she paid for such a foolish decision with her life.

This tragic scene in the movie Bambi always touches my heart.  I can relate to the little pheasant who wanted to fly to safety, far away from the predator who sought her life.  I often share her faulty line of thinking, believing that doing something, is better than just sitting there like a lump on a log!

Godly decisions are not made in a state of panic and desperation is not a wise counselor.  Instead of letting my anxious heart be my guide, I would exhibit wisdom if I first took the time to seek God's counsel. (2 Chronicles 18:4, James 1:5)

Recognizing God as the sovereign planner of my life, granting Him dominion over my days, means I'll watch for Him to guide me down the path He designed for me to follow.  (Hebrews 12:1, Proverbs 3:5-6)  

This probably means my decisions may look foolish to those who are in the world.  Most people won't understand why I do what I do.  Some may even call me irresponsible or just plain stupid for following such a path.  In the end, however, I will be glad that I paid attention to God's leading and went where He called me to go.

I'm acting a fool when I let desperation be my guide.

I can relate to Saul when he felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.  In the stress of the moment, he made the decision he thought was best.  Unfortunately, he leaned on his own understanding, disregarded God's commands, and let desperation lead him  Consequently, he lost favor with the Lord.  If I want to avoid a similar result, I would be wise to let God's Word be my guide, to pay close attention to what He teaches me, and to follow Him and Him alone.  In these ways, I will avoid acting as foolishly as Saul did.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can seek God in all my ways, even when I'd rather take the first advice that sounds good to me.

When do I disregard God's ways as if they aren't important?

How do I let desperation be my guide?