I have always admired King Solomon mainly because when God asked him what he wanted, his desire was for more wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. He didn’t ask for riches or a long life or vengeance against his enemies. God gave him what he asked for and then, because his answer pleased the Lord, he also received everything else a king might want or need (1 Kings 3:1-15).
Proverbs is the book of wisdom. I go to it when struggling with various issues, knowing that in its pages, I will often find the simplest and wisest answers. I am blessed to have instruction from the wise men who came before me, sound counsel that is based in truth that I can go to over and over to strengthen my foundations and find the solutions I am searching for.
Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within; you’ll give it bold expression in your speech. To make sure your foundation is trust in God, I’m laying it all out right now just for you…Believe me—these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you. Proverbs 22:17-21 (MSG)
I have increasingly recognizing the importance of wisdom in my capacity to live a life fully given to the Lord. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, understanding or common sense and insight. It can be applied to my day-to-day life, just in making the simple decisions about what to eat throughout the day or what to wear to work or play or how to schedule my time. I can practice wisdom while making choices about how to conduct myself in my surroundings and circumstances.
Being in a cross-cultural marriage has also shown me the necessity of wisdom in my relationships. Marriage has its difficulties; those difficulties are often compounded when each person comes from a very different cultural background and have two very different mother tongues. Even the simplest task can be made more difficult with such vast differences. That is where wisdom is essential.
When the cultures we physically grew up in are at odds with one another, we know that we have another culture to lean into – Kingdom Culture. The wisdom that is found in Proverbs as well as the whole Bible combined with the Rhema Word of God, when obeyed and utilized properly, will put us on common ground. That combination of wisdom will ALWAYS defeat the enemy in his plans against us and the success of our marriage.
It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; it takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies. Proverbs 24:3-4 (MSG)
It doesn’t necessarily mean that if someone is wise that they are well educated or hold multiple degrees from Ivy League Universities. Wisdom comes from putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, seeking knowledge from Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
An example from the Bible of two men who had great wisdom but had little to no education can be found in Acts 4. Peter and John, arrested because the Sadducees were angered by their preaching, teaching, and miracle-working, confounded the priests with the wisdom that they taught from because they knew that the men were ‘uneducated and untrained’.
They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that? Acts 4:13-14 (MSG)
What particularly stood out to me had less to do with what and how they were teaching, but the wisdom that they demonstrated in challenging the priests’ order to never speak or teach more about Jesus.
They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20 (MSG)
No matter how intelligent I am when it comes to book-smarts or common sense, the ultimate act of wisdom is daily giving my heart to Jesus, trusting in my Heavenly Father, heeding the guidance of Holy Spirit. When I live that lifestyle, my ‘future is secured, and my hope is on solid rock’.
Eat honey, dear child—it’s good for you—and delicacies that melt in your mouth. Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul—Get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock. Proverbs 24:13-14 (MSG)
Yesappa, thank you for providing me with the best sources of wisdom and counsel – Yourself, Three-in-One, and Your Word. Help me to walk in that wisdom, living my life according to Your will and desire. Help me to search for Your immeasurable, limitless wisdom in times of need, rather than relying on my own very limited knowledge. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India
Sixty-six books in a year 