Monday, 20 July 2020 Proverbs 4:1-27
“Get wisdom! Get understanding!...” -Proverbs 4:5
The dictionary defines wisdom as the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment; knowledge of what is right coupled with just judgment in action. What does the Bible say about wisdom; what’s God’s view of wisdom? God places very high value on wisdom. God used wisdom along with deep understanding when creating the heavens and the earth. “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundation, by understanding He set the heavens in place.” (Proverbs 3:19).
The Book of Proverbs sets the standard on God’s wisdom. The writer of Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman to help us understand the concept better. If we follow wisdom she will teach us to walk in righteousness (Prov.4:.11). Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” There are many traps and snares in this world – but if you take firm hold on wisdom she will preserve you (Prov.4:.6), she will promote you (vs.8), she will bring you honor (vs.8), she will deliver a crown of glory to you (vs.9) and she will never let you go – for she is your life (Prov.4:.13).
In this chapter wisdom makes us aware of two paths – path of the wicked (Prov.4:14) and path of the just (Prov.4:18). Wisdom warns us not to enter the path of the wicked but to turn away from it and pass on (Prov.4:15). There are many in this world who can lead us astray; even our close friends can make us fall. When you feel yourself being heavily influenced by others, proceed with caution. Do not let your friends cause you to slip and fall into sin. Jesus Christ is to be our Way, our Truth and our Life. True wisdom tells us to seek His Way above any other way. Only He can lead us on the path of life: “You make known to me the path of life…” (Psalm 16:11). Wisdom encourages us to walk in the path of the just which is like the shining sun (Prov.4: 18).
Sometimes we may take a detour in the wrong direction, but wisdom helps us know that it is full of darkness and helps us to change our direction to the true light. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life. The path of the wicked is headed down the road of destruction – but there is a path of the just that is led by the Lord Jesus leading to abundant life with Him. Most people desire to be wise—to walk in the paths of the just and not the wicked; but unfortunately, they seek wisdom in the wrong places. Even with the best dose of human wisdom we aren’t sometimes able to discern the right path. Hence God wants us to have godly wisdom which is possible for those who are in Christ Jesus! “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” (1Cor.1:30 NLT)
The best of human wisdom may sometimes turn to be foolish to God: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor.1:25). God uses the seemingly foolish ways in the eyes of the world to display His wisdom! Today let us receive wisdom through Jesus Christ who is the power and wisdom of God to us (1 Cor.1:24). James 1:5 says, “If anyone of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Prayer based on: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17)