With God are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding.
Job 12:13 (ESV)
As I was reading through the twelfth chapter of Job, I came to verse 13 and stopped to reflect. I wondered how Job felt writing the inspired words in this chapter regarding the wisdom of God. Did he find himself rapidly decreasing in his own self-importance—and exponentially increasing in his humility?
You may remember Solomon humbly asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9-14. God was pleased and gave Solomon a matchless discerning mind. Solomon then authored the book of Proverbs—helping us understand how to live lives which are pleasing to God and instructing us about the true nature of our choices—in essence, how to make right decisions. This dual intellectual and moral purpose is discernible in nearly every verse of Proverbs.
Perhaps you have also noticed that Solomon’s pithy sayings are designed to stick, so they will come back to our minds easily. That’s because by simply obeying what we know, even if we do not yet understand it, we will act wisely! What a delight it is to have a helpful guide through the maze of decision making—a pleasure mentioned in Proverbs 10:23 (ESV) which says, Wisdom is pleasure (happy satisfaction and delight) to a man of understanding.
But be forewarned! Proverbs 19:27 also adds, Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. Unfortunately, it appears wisdom is not static. We do not become wise and remain wise. We must continue to humbly seek out and receive wisdom or we will lose whatever understanding we may possess—a plausible explanation for Solomon’s poor choices later in life.
Humility is essential for wisdom to be received and understood—so take a moment to examine yourself. Am I decreasing in my own self-importance—and increasing in my humility before God? Am I continuing to seek out and humbly receive wisdom? Is it time to “refresh” my heart attitude of humility?
*Father, I bend my knee and receive Your truth; I open my ears to receive Your counsel; I open my heart to receive Your eternal wisdom. Amen.
(*a modern prayer for wisdom from www.lords-prayer-words.com)