Work for Wisdom – Proverbs in Practice
What is wisdom, former procrastinators? It’s insight, judgement, the ability to see life from God’s point of view. To gain wisdom, we ask for it, we spend time with God in His Word, and we act on it when it is revealed to us (James 1:5-6, 21-25).
“I love those who love me, those who seek me diligently find me.” Proverbs 8:17
Scripture promises we will find wisdom if we earnestly, deliberately seek her now – not waiting until we have time or grow old. Think how desperately you search for something special you’ve lost – and how thrilled you are to find it.
In Proverbs 8:32-36 wisdom stresses the importance of purposefully seeking her.
“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.” Pay attention to me. Living my way will bless you. Learn and obey; don’t merely expose yourself to teaching on Sunday.
“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.” It’s easy to be in the presence of godly instruction but not live by it. Neglect is easy. That’s how some of us became procrastinators. We need to seek wisdom now.
“Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.” Again, paying attention. Every day the diligent one goes to watch and wait, to look and listen anxiously for Wisdom. You moms with littles have little time, but your seeking hearts will be welcomed by the Lord. He will honor your quest though your focused time may be brief. He will hear arrow prayers shot to heaven in a moment of need and grant wisdom. Long periods of time and especially consistent times with Him result in wisdom.
“For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.” A life lived in wisdom is vibrant. God almighty is pleased with such a person and shows her friendly regard, approval, support, attention, partiality. Wow! A Proverbs 3:5-6 relationship.
“But he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” If we genuinely seek God’s wisdom He will give it, we will find it. Failing to find wisdom means not trying to gain it and not acting on it when it’s given. It’s choosing to live by my own wits and turning away from God’s way. That’s self-harm. God makes Himself available through His Son, His Word, and His Spirit.
The unsaved can turn away from Him and be lost. That is death. Sadly, the saved can turn away and know the loss of wisdom and the loss of a rich, fruitful life. Another death.
Whether it’s decisions in our personal lives, in the social group, at work, or in the culture, to choose against wisdom – against God’s perspective – is to choose death – a dullness of spirit, a meanness of existence. To choose wisdom is life.
In what area might you be inclined to choose against God’s revealed wisdom and choose to embrace death instead?
