Treasure Wisdom

"Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the highest point along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries aloud:

'To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts in it.'"

Proverbs 8:1-5

There is much to value in this world:  An education.  Success.  Wealth.  Popularity.  Meaning.  While it is not popular to treasure godly wisdom, the farsightedness God possesses, His ability to see the big picture; there is a reason to hold as dear such a prize.

True Riches.  It can be tricky to pick out the valuable from the worthless.  My flesh leads me wrong every time, leaning me toward what seems so important like money in the bank, a full social calendar, or a well-respected and enjoyable career.  But will it last?  In the end, when I stand before God, will He count all I invest in as eternally dear?  Or will it be categorized as something that will pass away with the rest of the temporary (2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 6:19-21)?

Godly wisdom is considered as one of the eternally valuable possessions I can treasure.  Seeking advice from godly counsel, humbling myself to joyfully receive the hard words of discipline God often speaks, and desiring God's best for me even when it seems less than desirable at the time are all examples of how I can model my heart's desire to gain prudence and insight for living.  I will never be sorry I went after such treasure.

When I pursue wisdom and recognize it as truly valuable, I'll find when I get to the end of my life that it is worth more than all the gold in the world (Proverbs 8:9-21).

Preliminary.  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  (Genesis 1:1)  If I were to ask, "What was the first thing God created?" most of us would answer with great confidence, "Light." (v 3)  Unfortunately, we would all be wrong.

Wisdom was there first (Proverbs 8:22-31).  It was God's wisdom that created all things, and He first brought it forth into His creation before the first beam of light shone through the darkness.  Therefore, when God made all things, wisdom was already there, waiting to be sought after by man.  With such an important place in the order of all things, I must see that to respect wisdom and hold it as most appreciated among all He made shows I have an understanding of God's value system.

When I pursue wisdom and recognize it as truly valuable, I have shown my comprehension of God's priorities.

Life and Favor.  There are many philosophies which I can follow in life, a variety of viewpoints from which I can see my way through each day.  Some say to pay attention to daily needs and the rest will fall into place.  Others say to live right and it will come back to you threefold.  But only one says to seek after wisdom in order to find life and favor.

While I could simply look for what seems wise to my own eyes, I could also dedicate my days to following Jesus and paying attention to the lead of the indwelling Spirit to highlight what comes from Him.  When I do the latter, I'll find the abundant life Jesus came to give me and the favor of God I need to find His best for me (John 10:10, Psalm 5:12).

When I pursue wisdom and recognize it as truly valuable, I will find the life Jesus died for me to live and His unmerited grace overflowing in my life.

There is so much to value in this world, but as a follower of Jesus Christ my priorities must be different.  For one who is saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ, I can adopt God's value system.  When I do, I'll discover the true wealth that is found in His wisdom, that godly understanding and prudence existed before anything else was created and thus is the foundation of all things, and that the full life and favor of God I need comes from holding His knowledge and insight as dear.  When I treasure godly wisdom, I'll discover God's best for me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to look for His wisdom throughout each moment.

When do I value worldly treasures more than I do insight for godly living?

How do I scorn biblical understanding as less than important as compared to success or financial security?

Kingdom Prosperity

"The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered,

and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.

When his master saw that the LORD was with him

and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did,

Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.

Potiphar put him in charge of his household,

and he entrusted to his care everything he owned."

Genesis 39:2-4

He wanted the good life; a fulfilling career complete with perks, a nice home with all the modern luxuries he'd grown to expect, a car that was more than a mode of transportation but a symbol of status, financial security, and a beautiful wife and 2 good-looking children.  This man went after these goals until he was living the epitome of the prosperous life.  Everything went according to plan and he reached the pinnacle quicker than anticipated.  Why, then, did he feel so empty inside?

As humans, we often base our lives on the pursuit of worldly prosperity.  Once we attain the goal, however, we realize that what we're striving for is never enough.  There is always a longing that cannot be satisfied with anything that can be touched, tasted or seen with the naked eye: Only our Maker can fill that void inside.

While my flesh may desire the kind of success reached by the above-mentioned man, God has a better way for his children.  In His kingdom, prosperity looks different than it does in the world.  As His beloved daughter, I would be wise to desire His brand of wealth.

Flourish

Water leaked through the cracks in the wall, forming a perpetual stream of sliminess through the center of his space.  His bed was the hard stone floor that also served as his desk, dining table and recreation area.  The never-ending stream of insects became his friends and the tiny birds that came to feast on them his confidantes.  Still, Joseph's life was flourishing. (Genesis 39:20-23)

Despite his dismal surrounding as he languished in the king's prison, Joseph's heart bloomed.  He knew the God of his father Jacob, and the belief that the Lord was with him made all the difference in his present circumstances.  Even though he did nothing to deserve this brutal treatment, knowing that God has a purpose for everything He allows into His children's lives gave him peace.

I can take a lesson from Joseph.  Many times I let my present situation define my mood or outlook.  I think if things don't look good through my eyes, then there is nothing for which to be thankful.  In reality, the good things are there, I just have to look for them.

When my car breaks down, I may think I'm undergoing cruel and unusual punishment but if I'd never gone to the shop, I'd have never met a sister in Christ who encouraged me as I paid the bill.  When I can't bear the thought of how much I miss my dearly departed brother, I soon experience the comfort of the Father of compassion in a way I'd never before felt. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)  Even though I don't understand why my loved one has to lose his mind, I begin to more clearly understand the love of my heavenly Father as I witness His care.

While it would be easy to grow bitter at all the suffering in this world, focusing my eyes on Jesus gives me a whole new perspective.  As I trust Him to lead me through the gauntlet of troubles found in the world, I will experience nothing but peace.

Seeking first God's kingdom as I live this life means my heart will flourish.

Success

Even though Joseph was a slave, Potiphar made him supervisor over all the affairs of the household.  Instead of treating him as property, his master put Joseph in charge and every effort he made ended in success.  In addition, due to his presence in this Egyptian home, God blessed everything that belonged to Potiphar. (Genesis 39:5-6)

Wherever I go and whatever I do as one who has committed my life to the Lord, I will find a similar principle.  As I stay connected to Jesus in my day-to-day life, any effort put forth in God's kingdom will bear fruit.  (John 15:4)  Living in relationship with my Lord and Savior and letting Him have His way in my life will result in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that is foreign to my own flesh. (Galatians 5:22-23)

This kind of success will then draw others to me as the blessings of God will overflow from my life to those around me. (Psalm 23:5)  Instead of going after the worldly success that consists of climbing the corporate ladder, living out the American dream, or gaining all the trappings of the rich and famous, I would much rather experience God's kind of success.  In the end, it is all that will last.

Seeking first God's kingdom as I live this life means I will experience success as God has defined it.

Favor

He possessed no experience leading men.  When he first fell into slavery, he was only a boy of seventeen who had lived a charmed life under the loving care of his doting father.  All his needs were provided for him and his responsibilities were few.  Still, when he found himself in prison for a crime he didn't commit, the jailer inexplicably placed him in charge of all the prisoners. (Genesis 39:21-22)

Joseph could have refused this responsibility, citing inexperience as a valid justification.  Instead, though, he trusted God that this new-found job came from Him and moved forward in faith, believing that the Lord would equip him to handle the task at hand.

In the same way, I will be offered jobs I may feel completely unqualified to fulfill.  Instead of relying on my own abilities or lack thereof, I can do as Joseph did and trust God to supply my every need.  (Philippians 4:19) Instead of fearing my own weaknesses and frailties, I can walk forward in confidence, knowing that the favor of God is upon me because of His great love for me.

Seeking first God's kingdom as I live this life means I will recognize opportunities of greater responsibility as the favor of God.

Prosperity means something totally different in the world than it does in God's kingdom.  In His realm, I can flourish despite my dismal surroundings, find success simply by staying connected to Christ, and receive job offerings that have nothing to do with my qualifications but everything to do with the favor of God.  In these ways, I am experiencing  prosperity, kingdom style!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to supply all my needs when I am faced with a task outside of my comfort zone.

When do I hang back in fear instead of walking forward with confidence in my Father?

How am I missing out on God's blessings because I am afraid to submit to Him?

The Few

"The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the

human race had become on the earth,

and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart

was only evil all the time.

The LORD regretted that he had made human beings

on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.

So the LORD said,

'I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created--and with them the animals,

the birds and the creatures that move along the ground--

for I regret that I have made them.'

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD."

Genesis 6:5-8

The crowds were thick at the foot of the mountain as people enjoyed the view, the fresh air and the high-altitude sunshine.  Families gathered around the picnic tables that were sprinkled around the perimeter of the parking lot, surrounded by wildflowers.  The sound of children laughing permeated the air with a festive feel.  

As we began the ascent up the trail, the hum of the multitude gradually faded until all we could hear was the sharp call of a lone stellar jay.  At first we passed quite a few fellow hikers, but the further we went up the rocky path, the more the crowds thinned out until we were virtually alone, reveling in the panorama afforded by our high position.

There are few who desire to climb higher up the mountain and it is safe to say that following Jesus is similarly unpopular.  While the views are spectacular, the road to reach those rare vistas is narrow and rocky, and few find it.  (Matthew 7:14)  When the world is filled with hate, lies and corruption, there are few who recognize the Truth and follow it.

God's kingdom is made of the few who are following the path of life. (Psalm 16:11)

The Ark

The Lord gave specific instructions as to how to build the enormous vessel.  The builder and his family made many sacrifices, giving up a normal life of acceptance by their neighbors and instead chose to obey the bizarre directives of God.  While I'm sure Noah ran into many roadblocks and difficulties during his near hundred-year project, drawing the scorn and ridicule of those around him, He saw more value in following God's ways than in fitting in with the crowd.

In the same way that the boat filled with animals saved a few select people from destruction, so the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross protects a minority.  Jesus declared His purpose to the crowds who had seen his miracle of multiplying the loaves of bread and fish and were eager to learn more about Him.  To those gathered He said, "But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me. However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them." (John 6:36-37)

In the same way that God placed Noah and his family on the ark, so there are a few whom God has drawn to Jesus, making their need for a Savior known to them. (John 6:44)  No one can deem Jesus as Lord of their life without the power of the Holy Spirit enabling them to see His true identity. (1 Corinthians 12:3)  Even the faith I use to trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior comes from God.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

My salvation from the wrath of God is a gift of God not to be taken lightly.

Favor

Her heart was inclined toward His, looking not to the predicament in which she would soon find herself, but instead focusing on the will of Him who called her.  Mary was one of the few who found favor with the Lord.  

Many were chosen throughout the history of mankind to carry out God's plan, but few actually won over His heart.  Mary was one of those on whom the Lord was pleased and her response to His difficult message revealing His plan of sending His Son to earth as a baby through her virgin body tells us why He smiled upon her.

After the young maiden pledged to be married understood her difficult role; to bear a baby out of wedlock and raise the Christ child as her own, she simply stated, "I am the Lord's servant.  May everything you have said about me come true." (Luke 1:38)  Such willing obedience is rare indeed.

When I accept the appointment God has created for me today, welcoming the interruption to my schedule, God is pleased with my attitude.  His favor falls on me when I trust Him wholly, casting aside my inclination to worry and fret over the days' troubles.   The Lord also smiles when I walk forward into the darkness by faith, believing that He will be there to light the way.

The favor of God is saved for the minority who are willing to obey without hesitation.

Narrow Gate

I approached the side of my neighbor's house, leading the wayward dog toward a certain place in the wooden fence.  If I hadn't known the gate existed, I wouldn't ever suspect I could gain entry into the yard through this section of fence, so clever was the craftsmanship.

Just as my neighbor's gate is only known by a few people, so is the narrow gate that leads to life.  In contrast, the road that leads to destruction is broad and it's entryway is obvious.  Many enter through the gates that lead to Hell, so enticing and pleasurable are the promises made by those who travel there.  (Matthew 7:13-14)  

Only those who know the Gate, however, will find the way into God's kingdom.  Jesus is the only way to find true purpose here and life in eternity, and only those who belong to Him will discover entry into a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:9)

While it may be popular to travel the broad road, only a few will enter through the hard-to-find gate and trek up the narrow, difficult path that leads to life.

It may seem comfortable to be in the majority while living here on earth, but the Kingdom of God is saved for the minority.  In the same way that the ark only rescued a few from the wrath of God, so the blood of Jesus covers the sins of a small number.  Similarly, God's favor only falls upon those who willingly obey, and the narrow gate that leads to life is only revealed to some.  As a member of God's kingdom, I had better get used to being in the minority!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will not seek to follow the crowd.

When am I more comfortable getting lost in with the multitudes instead of standing all alone off to the side?

How do I fail to take a stand at the risk of rocking the boat?