Pursue Wisdom – Proverbs in Practice
Before my friend Mary went to heaven, former procrastinators, her daughter asked her, “Mom, how can I ever have your wisdom?” “Stay in the Word. Stay in the Word.”
Most of us would like to be wise or be considered wise, but are we willing to go after wisdom? If we attend church, will we come out with it? If it takes more than that, are we willing to pursue wisdom to gain it? Do we even need wisdom? How about if we put off that pursuit for now and wait until we’re old?
Two critical things are clear:
- God wants us normal every day believers to be wise.
- He makes wisdom available to us.
We see both of those here:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5.
Wisdom even “cries out in in the streets” beseeching us to pay attention to her. “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” Proverbs 1: 20, 23.
There’s no secret vault of wisdom held in reserve for certain privileged Christians. God has provided wisdom for us.
Two more things are clear from those verses. These are how we pursue wisdom:
- We seek wisdom, ask Him for it.
- We follow His guidance or obey His commands found in His Word.
We must ask fully believing He will give wisdom because He says so. A double-minded man will not receive wisdom and is unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8
Do I want wisdom? Am I willing to go to the trouble of gaining it? Will I believe Him, follow His guidance, obey His commands? If yes, then pursue wisdom. That is the Lord’s intention for you and me. Proverbs 1:23-25
How does God give wisdom? Through His Word. Stay in the Word. Pursue Him.
“Pursue” makes me think of a posse like we used to see in old westerns. A group of men gathers to ride after the bad guy and apprehend him. They sacrifice time with family, friends, work. Weeks go by. They ride over rough territory, conserve their water, set up a guard. They keep riding. Fatigue sets in, the weather hinders progress. They keep riding. They need new horses, they get discouraged. They keep riding – until they find their man.
“O, God, you are my God; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
We are in pursuit of a holy God who does not hide and who gives wisdom generously. There are obstacles and it takes time. But we keep riding. Stay in the saddle. Stay in the Word.
Which of the four points is hardest for you regarding diligence?
