Three Things About Wisdom

Proverbs 1

20 Wisdom shouts joyfully in the street, in the plaza she raises her voice

21 at the head of the meeting place she calls, in the opening of the gates of her city she proclaims words,

22 “You simple who love your simplicity and scorners who delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge 23 turn to my correction-Look I will pour out my spirit, I will make my words known.

24 because I have called and you refused, I have offered my hand, and no one regarded 25 but you have set aside all my advice, and my correction none of you wanted 26 I also will laugh scornfully when your fear comes on you, 27 comes like a storm-when your fear and destruction like a tornado comes, comes with distress and anguish 28 Then they’ll call on me, but I will not answer, they will look for me early, but will not find me. 29 because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. 30 they didn’t want any of my advice and they despised my correction 31 therefore, they will eat the fruit of their own actions, and be filled with their own counsels. 32 the turning of the simple will kill them and the prosperity of fools will destroy them. 33 but whoever listens to me will live safely and shall have rest from fear of evil.”

Three things about Wisdom

1. Wisdom is easy to attain, just waiting for people to seek her, like a woman crying in the streets, inviting people to come to her and listen. We may think of wisdom as difficult, or maybe something for sages, the elderly, and very religious people, but this isn’t true. Wisdom is available freely for everyone. All we have to do is ask, listen, and respond well. But that leads us to point two

2. Wisdom isn’t something we all want. This may sound counterintuitive, but we all want to do what we want to do. If you feel like eating that ice cream sundae with lots of hot fudge & extra whipped cream, you are very likely to ignor the still small voice inside that says “you’re trying to trim down”. One way of defining wisdom is developing habits that are sustainable-that if we, and everyone around us, behaved this way all the time the world would be a better place. Most of us make habits of behavior which are not sustainable, and changing those habits is difficult. We face choices all the time and our habits of behavior often determine how we will respond at those times of decision. The time of decision is not the time to form a good, wise habit, and that brings us to the third point.

3. If you seek wisdom in times of trouble it’s probably too late. Habits of wisdom often prevent stressful situations. Habits of car maintanance prevent breakdowns. Habits of patience prevent arguments. Habits of kindness create peaceful relationships. Habits of goodness prevent evil. The time for wisdom is now, before the difficult situation arises. Seek wisdom in good times and many evil times will be avoided, and the strength to face difficulties will be built so stresses do not result in a break.

Prayer for Today

Father,

Make us wise.

Give us Your wisdom.

Teach us Your priorities.

Let us live our life today in such a way that You will be honored by our life tomorrow.

In the name of our Lord Jesus, who still glorifies you with wisdom He taught us 2,000 years ago.

Amen.