According to Solomon, the most significant thing we can get is wisdom. Not just knowledge or information, but wisdom. How do we get it? Obtaining wisdom is a diligent effort that combines knowledge, experience, and understanding with God’s word. Wisdom is not something we possess as much as it is a perspective that envelops us as we allow God’s word to shape our minds. It is transactional as opposed to something that can be claimed as ours.
The Way to Wisdom
“Reverence for the Eternal is the first step toward wisdom. All those who worship Him have a good understanding” (Psalm 111:10, The Voice).
“My son [daughter], if you accept what I am telling you and store my counsel and directives deep within you, if you listen for Lady Wisdom, attune your ears to her, and engage your mind to understand what she is telling you, if you cry out to her for insight and beg for understanding, if you sift through the clamor of everything around you to seek her like some precious prize, to search for her like buried treasure; then you will grasp what it means to truly respect the Eternal, and you will have discovered the knowledge of the one True God. The Eternal is ready to share His wisdom with us, for His words bring true knowledge and insight; He has stored up the essentials of sound wisdom for those who do right; He acts as a shield for those who value integrity.
“God protects the paths of those who pursue justice, watching over the lives of those who keep faith with Him. With this wisdom you will be able to choose the right road, seek justice, and decide what is good and fair because wisdom will penetrate deep within and knowledge will become a good friend to your soul. Sound judgment will stand guard over you, and understanding will watch over you as the Lord promised. Wisdom will keep you from following the way of evildoers, of those who twist words to pervert the truth, Of those who reject the right road for a darker, more sinister way of life, Of those who enjoy evil and pursue perverse pleasures, of those who journey down a crooked path, constantly figuring out new ways to trick and deceive others” (Proverbs 2:1-15, The Voice).
“No gold can be given in trade for wisdom, nor a sum of silver weighed out as her price. She cannot be bought with all the gold of Ophir, neither with onyx nor sapphire” (Job 28:15-16, The Voice).
What the Lord Hates
“For all our days are spent beneath Your wrath; our youth gives way to old age, and then one day our years come to an end with a sigh. We may journey through life for 70 years; some may live and breathe 80 years-if we are strong. Yet our time here is only toil and trouble; soon our days are gone, and we fly away. Who can truly comprehend the power unleashed by Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due to You. Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom” (Psalm 90:9-12, The Voice).
What makes God angry? Selfish pride. Deception. Lies and divisiveness. Now you know why God is angry with many today.
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV).
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives” (Colossians 3:16, NLT).
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California.
