6All
wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and
understanding. 7God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys
him and protects all of those who live as they should. 8God sees
that justice is done, and he watches over everyone who is
faithful to him. 9With wisdom you will learn what is right and
honest and fair. 10Wisdom will control your mind, and you will
be pleased with knowledge. 11Sound judgment and good sense will
watch over you.
-Proverbs 2:1-11 (Contemporary English)
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This week’s scripture passage comes to us from the book of
Proverbs. The general objective of Proverbs is the sharpening of
character. Proverbs seeks to shape and mold us into wise and
upright people of faith. Proverbs believes that the heart of
faith is found in wisdom.
The only way to truly sharpen our character is to become wise in
the ways of God. Real wisdom comes from God. Many people today
profess to be wise and offer us truth. Oprah and Dr. Phil are
prime examples of how people today are seeking truth and wisdom.
Since people today are starving for truth, we are willing to
listen to anyone who seems like they know what they are talking
about. We are earnestly seeking, but we are searching in the
wrong place. We need to realize that the hunger within us can
only be satisfied by God alone.
God’s wisdom isn’t offered to a limited few, but to all of us.
We just have to seek it. The first step to finding God’s wisdom
is admitting that we don’t know it all. We must seek wisdom with
a spirit of humility, not with a spirit of boastful pride.
Proverbs describes this humility as “fear of the Lord” (1:7;
2:5; 9:10). Fear is the prerequisite for wisdom.
Wisdom in God comes to each of us through various avenues. There
is not one way, but rather there are many paths to spiritual
growth. Some people connect best with God within a community of
other believers; while others need time alone to meditate on the
word of God. Sometimes we cry out to God through song and
prayer; while other times, we connect with God in the quiet
stillness of the soul. We search for God in different ways
depending upon the situation at hand. We must know that it is
not HOW we search that concerns God; rather it is the act itself
that pleases.
Prayer: God, my ear is
attentive and my heart is ready to receive your wisdom. You
alone O God are wise and upright. Meet me in my seeking. Instill
in me your truth. Amen.
