God's wisdom
is available to all; yet, it can be refused, even scoffed at. But the
advantages of being wise are undeniable, and the consequences for
refusing it as well. Often, God has to get us to the end of ourselves,
wallowing in the pig pen, before we begin to understand the power and
blessing of wisdom, before we "come to our senses." Once we recognize
wisdom's great value, its treasure, we begin to seek Him for "in Him are
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." When our pride is
crushed, selfishness seen for the foolishness that it is, we begin to
seek Him. When our material security is lost or when we are inundated
with riches and still miserable, we begin to seek the richness of an
intimate relationship with Him, the source of all wisdom and true
wealth. When we take God seriously, when we make every decision based
on how it affects our relationship with Him, when we are more deeply
concerned with how our behavior hurts His heart than what He might do to
hurt us, then we desire to "trust in the Lord with all our heart and
lean not on our own understanding."
And what are the riches of His wisdom, the great blessings of being wise? First, a deep reverence for God, the love that leads to unconditional surrender to His will and to ready obedience. We do what is right just because we desire to please and reverence Him alone. Obedience becomes as "natural" as our disobedience once was. Second, wisdom gives us discernment. We begin to understand the workings of God, the best decisions to make, the subtlety behind the Devil's lies. We are not fooled by the distorter of God's Word. Third, we become alert in our daily walk. We see the significance behind what appears to be insignificant choices. We guard our hearts against anything that might undermine our reverence toward Him as the only priority in our lives. We let no "little foxes spoil the vine." Fourth, we understand that following Him is the only path that gives life purpose and destination. We are not so concerned with what He calls us to do, but with our need for His enabling power to do what pleases Him wherever He has placed us. What matters is not where we are but who we are in Him. Finally, we cultivate a keenness of mind. We are deeply desirous to learn more and more about Him, to deepen our relationship with Him. "To know Him is to love Him" becomes the theme song of our lives. Our eyes are opened when His truth is taught, our hearts our moved by praise to Him, our friends are those who seek the same relationship that we are seeking--they sharpen us and we love them for it.
My heart's desire is that you become wise. Paul says it this way: "How I long that you may be encouraged, and find our more and more how strong are the bonds of Christian love. How I long for you to grow more certain in your knowledge and more sure of your grasp of God Himself. May your spiritual experience become richer as you see more and more fully God's great secret, Christ Himself. For it is in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
And what are the riches of His wisdom, the great blessings of being wise? First, a deep reverence for God, the love that leads to unconditional surrender to His will and to ready obedience. We do what is right just because we desire to please and reverence Him alone. Obedience becomes as "natural" as our disobedience once was. Second, wisdom gives us discernment. We begin to understand the workings of God, the best decisions to make, the subtlety behind the Devil's lies. We are not fooled by the distorter of God's Word. Third, we become alert in our daily walk. We see the significance behind what appears to be insignificant choices. We guard our hearts against anything that might undermine our reverence toward Him as the only priority in our lives. We let no "little foxes spoil the vine." Fourth, we understand that following Him is the only path that gives life purpose and destination. We are not so concerned with what He calls us to do, but with our need for His enabling power to do what pleases Him wherever He has placed us. What matters is not where we are but who we are in Him. Finally, we cultivate a keenness of mind. We are deeply desirous to learn more and more about Him, to deepen our relationship with Him. "To know Him is to love Him" becomes the theme song of our lives. Our eyes are opened when His truth is taught, our hearts our moved by praise to Him, our friends are those who seek the same relationship that we are seeking--they sharpen us and we love them for it.
My heart's desire is that you become wise. Paul says it this way: "How I long that you may be encouraged, and find our more and more how strong are the bonds of Christian love. How I long for you to grow more certain in your knowledge and more sure of your grasp of God Himself. May your spiritual experience become richer as you see more and more fully God's great secret, Christ Himself. For it is in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
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