The Promise of Wisdom

Seems like the wisdom of the ages is not appreciated in certain quarters today. Some people even consider the wisdom of the past irrelevant in our times.

However, George Santayana said, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." In other words we can spare ourselves from disaster by learning from the mistakes of those who preceded us. A beloved pastor once said, "You don't have to play in mud puddles to know they're dirty." My darling mother used to say, "A word to the wise is sufficient."

I'm not interested in repeating the mistakes of others. Are you? The fewer mistakes we make, the more effectively we can spend our time on earth doing God's will.

And speaking of God . . . He has promised wisdom to those who ask.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault,

and it will be given to him."

    -James 1:5 (NIV)

Seems like the smart thing to do would be to ask God for wisdom. Don't you agree?

Another Promise of New Beginnings

On this first day of 2010 let's celebrate new beginnings--the beginnings of wisdom and understanding.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

      -Proverbs 9:10

When a city wants to honor an individual, the mayor will present that person with a key to the city. What God offers individuals in Proverbs 9:10 is far greater--keys to wisdom and understanding.

The individual who is endowed with wisdom and understanding will be sought out--at home, at church, in the work force. His opinions will be valued: his stock will go up!

So how do we attain a proper fear of the LORD and knowledge of the Holy One? We must seek wisdom as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then we will understand the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 2:4-5).

Jesus, the Son of God and our advocate with the Father, tells us in Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."  

Today, on this first day of 2010, why not resolve to seek the fear of the Lord--not so much for the added value of your "stock portfolio" but rather for the intrinsic value of having a more intimate walk with God Himself?

What does an intimate walk with God look like to you?

A String of Selah Pearls (continued)

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”

Psalm 3:4 “To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah.”

Meditation:

I cry out and you, my Father, answer.

It’s always the same. I cry. You listen.

You are always there for me . . . with gifts.

I ask, and you give wisdom.

I call, and you show me great things I know nothing about.

Why are you so good to me? You know I have no means of paying you back. Why do you care so much?

“Child, I am your Father. You are my daughter.”

Father, this is your daughter calling (collect, as usual)

to tell you how much I love you,

and to thank you for always being there.

SELAH

Look up: Hebrews 13:5; James 1:5; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 121:8