Wisdom Gives What You Need

Proverbs 8:1-21

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Grace, mercy and peace are yours from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dear friends,

When you see and hear words like these of John Adams, “I am apt to believe that July 4th will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty,” what goes through your mind?

When I first saw that quote, I thought, “Wow! I haven’t heard a politician talk like that in a long time, frankly, if ever before.” What would our lives this weekend look like if we commemorated July 4th with solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty? Would there be fireworks in the sky, flag waving, and national pride? There could be, but for the Christian, there could be so much more.

Our life here as we wait for Christ to return is always about so much more. We proclaim, as Jesus Christ did and commanded us to proclaim as well, Luke 4:17-19, “good news to the poor…freedom for the prisoners…sight for the blind…release [for] the oppressed…the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has freed us from the prison of sin, released us from the oppression of the devil and our sinful nature. He has given us spiritual sight to understand his Word. Jesus has done all this by taking on himself the ugliness and dirtiness of your sin and mine and covering himself with our shame. He paid the price for sin that God demanded as the nails were driven through his hands and feet. He hung on the cross bearing the punishments of hell in our place and giving up his life as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

When he arose from the dead he proclaimed to me and to you, YOU ARE FREE! YOU ARE FORGIVEN!

There is no more to fear in life or in death. For through faith in Jesus Christ we have only hope and peace with God in every situation.

When God blessed with success the plans and purposes of the founders of our nation, he gave to us a great gift: A nation in which we can freely proclaim this message of Christ both in word and in action.

Here in the words of Proverbs 8:1-21 is how, by the grace of God, we can proclaim Christ in word and action. We can celebrate the true freedom he has given us by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty:

Wisdom’s Call

1 Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 On the heights along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 beside the gates leading into the city,

at the entrances, she cries aloud:

4 "To you, O men, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

5 You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, gain understanding.

6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.

7 My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

9 To the discerning all of them are right;

they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,

knowledge rather than choice gold,

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion.

13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,

evil behavior and perverse speech.

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have understanding and power.

15 By me kings reign

and rulers make laws that are just;

16 by me princes govern,

and all nobles who rule on earth.

17 I love those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.

18 With me are riches and honor,

enduring wealth and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold;

what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing wealth on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.

Wisdom is talked about as if she were a person in this section of Proverbs. Why does wisdom call to you? What does wisdom offer to you?

Why does wisdom call to you?

Child of God, when you hear these words of wisdom, does your heart cry out within you? Yes, I want to gain understanding! Yes, I want to gain prudence! Yes, I want to speak what is right! Wisdom touches your heart and your soul because you are a child of God. By his grace, you hear his Word and cry out in faith, “Yes! That is what I want! “