“For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
These are the words from Proverbs 3:14 NIV, that were whispered to me from the LORD last night while in prayer and conversation. “She” is referred to as the Wisdom that God commands us to acquire more than anything else on our journey. God is speaking to us intentionally through Proverbs 1:7 NIV, from the writings of King Solomon when he said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instructions.” Wisdom, based on the definition of the word itself, is, “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgement.” Truthfully, there are many ways we could pinpoint wisdom as a topic of discussion that would improve the quality of our perspective. However, I’d like to focus on the importance of wisdom from the basis of our foundation as the biblical principle: which is the building block to our existence. This is necessary for us to comprehend and accept because if we don’t, then our lives will be illustrative of Ecclesiastes 1:6 NIV, which highlights that, “The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.” This means that, whatever we chase after and desire more than God will be proven useless. Our endeavors will lack a clear purpose and at the end of our journey, we’ll be left with our own vanity: apart from God.
Why is wisdom important?
How do we obtain it?
How do we keep it?
How do we honor God with it?
For starters, we’re encouraged to fear the LORD.
When you analyze your life and the personal relationship that you have with God, is your life a reflection of the fear that you should have for him? In order to truly fear the Lord, there has to be a deep reverence (respect) for him that is unwavering. We also need to have the ability to acknowledge our dependence on God from a place of humility. Many of us, would classify ourselves as “independent,” however, God requires us to be completely reliant on him. Interdependence means that we accept and surrender to God the father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. As we submit to the hierarchy of this order, we’ll remain in alignment with the will of God for our lives entirely. Being obedient to the wisdom that God requires, means that we’re aware that this life is no longer our own when we give God our YES. We’re no longer living to please ourselves or others, and we’re mindful that although we’re in this world, we’d never allow ourselves to conform to it. There is nothing in, or, of this world, that we can take with us. For that reason our objective should be to serve God, observe our human experience, and solely align with his will. Honestly, the only goal we should have, is to make it out of this human experience to be joined to with him once more.
What does wisdom suggest we do to show our fear to the LORD as believers in Jesus Christ?
We need to recognize Gods power and authority. “ Then Jesus came to them (You and I) and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18 NIV. “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God.” Psalms 62:11 NIV.
We need to be aware of our need for God’s Mercy. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22 NIV. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 NIV.
We should consider the consequences of our disobedience to God. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17 NIV “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 5:6 NIV. “The Lord said, “If you will not obey my commands, you will be punished. If you refuse to obey my laws and commands and break the covenant I have made with you, I will punish you. I will bring disaster on you—incurable diseases and fevers that will make you blind and cause your life to waste away. You will plant your crops, but it will do you no good, because your enemies will conquer you and eat what you have grown. I will turn against you, so that you will be defeated, and those who hate you will rule over you; you will be so terrified that you will run when no one is chasing you.” Leviticus 26: 14-17 GNT.
We should be attentive to Gods word and promises everyday. “Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.” Deuteronomy 6:13 NIV. “Do not follow other gods, the gods of other people around you.” Deuteronomy 6:14 NIV. “For the lord your God, who is among you is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.” Deuteronomy 6:15 NIV. “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, The LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock— the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies that rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your god and walk in obedience to him. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head and not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.” Deuteronomy 28: 1-9, 12-13 NIV.
We should make decisions based on the approval of God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5NIV. “The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Psalms 24:4-5 NIV.
We need to pursue God and his righteousness, which is most important. “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Psalms 85 NIV. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV. “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 NIV.
THE LORD, OUR GOD, HAS IT WRITTEN.
“Hold onto wisdom, and it will take care of you. Love it, and it will keep you safe. Proverbs 4:6 NCV.
Are we eye to eye about this truth my brothers and sisters?