This passage has reminded me, time and again, what it means to pray for God's wisdom. We come to the Lord asking Him to give us wisdom for decisions we need to make, for certain situations where we need it, etc. But I don't think we actually grasp what it means to seek wisdom, and that's why God through His word needs to remind us of what it is we are actually asking for.
Solomon says in Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
When we pray for wisdom we are praying that we walk with a fear of God in our hearts, that we do what is pleasing and honoring to Him, not to ourselves. Praying for wisdom is praying that our hearts remain in that state.
Let's look at how chapter 3 describes this wisdom:
(14) for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. (15) She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
I wonder if we understand what this means. God's wisdom does not necessarily lead us to profit and better yields or returns in life, financially or materially. In fact, this verse reminds us that when we walk in the wisdom of God it is more precious than any gain or profit in this world.
God's wisdom is not a means to gain more, or to be more successful. It is simply to walk in the ways that are pleasing to Him.
(16) Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
In an age where health and success are the new "gods", both of people in the world and, sadly, even in the church, this stands out as a great reminder of who really gives us long life and riches - it's not alternative medicine or supplements, or hard work and perseverance - it is God Himself. Of course we can always say that it is God who created supplements and natural medicines, and it is even in Scripture that we are to work hard and be diligent. But there is a thin line between trusting in God and trusting in these things to have long life, riches and honor.
Walking in God's wisdom assures us that God holds our life.
(17) Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
If we claim to be walking in wisdom, these should characterize our actions - are they pleasant? Are our words and actions pleasant, or are they abrasive and rude?
Are we promoting peace? Or are we breeding conflict and tension?
Does it bring a fullness of the life that God describes in His Word? Or is it promoting a worldly and fleshly life?
(19) By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; (20) by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
Do we actually realize what we are praying for when we ask our God for wisdom? It's so easy for us to just ask for it, without realizing the greatness of what we are asking for.
It was by His wisdom that the earth's foundations were laid. It was by His understanding that He set the heavens, the universe, in place, that the deeps were divided, and that we receive rain.
We are asking our great and mighty God to grant us His wisdom for such simple things as decisions we need to make, or guidance with regards to life. But what is really mind blowing is that our God is gracious enough to actually give us even an iota of His wisdom and knowledge to guide us in our life.
This should remind us to approach God with great humility and gratitude that He will actually grant it to us.
And, this should remind us that as God reveals to us His wisdom, through His Word, that we are to honor it, and obey it - not looking for the outcome, but knowing that we are using a wisdom that created the world and the universe, and that He is gracious enough to reveal it to us so that we can apply it in our lives.
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