Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wisdom From God

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

Proverbs tells us that wisdom is the principal thing in life. Therefore in all our getting, we must get wisdom (Prov. 4:7). Where do we begin in our search for wisdom? Romans 16:27 declares, “to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.” God alone is the Source of all wisdom.

In 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” Man, in his natural state, does not have supernatural wisdom. He may have natural logic, but logic and natural wisdom err in that they always put the individual first. Supernatural wisdom comes only from God through Jesus Christ, who “became for us wisdom from God.” Only those plugged into God can receive supernatural wisdom.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 warns us, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD.” In other words, let’s not boast in our own cleverness, intelligence and knowledge (1 Cor. 3:19-20). How do we receive wisdom from God? Proverbs 2 is one of those great “ifthen” passages in the Bible—if you meet certain prerequisites, then God will respond. It outlines three conditions to receiving wisdom from God:

  1. If you receive God’s Word and treasure His commands within you (2:1). How should we receive God’s Word into our hearts? James 1:21 tells us, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overfl ow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” To receive His Word, you must first decide to live your life in purity and holiness.
  2. Secondly, you must carry an attitude of meekness—which is humility and openness toward God.
  3. If you cry out for wisdom (2:3). You must boldly ask and cry out to God for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
  4. If you seek wisdom as silver (2:4). God is wisdom. If you seek after Him, you will fi nd wisdom. God says in Jeremiah 29:11-14, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and fi nd Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD.”

Let us be like the psalmist who yearned, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:1-2).

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