Suggested Reading: Proverbs 2:1-23

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints—Proverbs 2:6-8

In King Solomons time it was a common practice for the one occupying the throne to “hold court” where people from the providence, his subjects could come and get a word of wisdom, learn how to handle matters wisely, etc. Solomon was known for his great wisdom, so his court was always full. You might have to wait in line for an exceptionally long time, but it was always worth it. Some of his decisions and wisdom shared with his subjects are recorded in the Old Testament books such as First and Second Kings. One you might be especially familiar with was about the two women came to him to settle a matter about a baby: each one claiming to be the child’s mother. Both women lived in the same home and had been pregnant at the same time; that was before DNA tracing was available which helps medical science discover origins and relations. It would have been a difficult case for any other king or judge to rule on, but not Solomon. At the end of hearing both women explain and support their claim to the child, Solomon simply orders the child be cut in two, that way both women could have part of the child. To the common ear this would have been a most ghastly and inhumane decision, but Solomon knew the real mother would not have sacrificed her own child, but rather given up her own parental and maternal rights so her child could live. And in the end that is what happened. The true mother pleaded for Solomon to give the baby to the other woman, and that is how Solomon knew who the real mother was and awarded the child to her. You can read about this story in I Kings 3:16-28)

Godly wisdom may seem like foolishness to the world, but it is the wisdom God provides for his people to live by. It is the best wisdom to seek and acquire if you want to live, not only a godly and Christlike life on earth, but if you want to do well in life, make wise choices and sound decisions, learn discretion, find that good path, understand righteousness and discover the hidden treasures of God that are waiting for you.  

Look at your Bible. On the outside it may not appear to be much different from other books on your shelf. Bibles come in all sizes and colors: soft back, hard back, paperback, and for some, their Bible is inside their device, so it looks like their tablet, phone, computer, etc. It may look like other books on your shelf, but what distinguishes it and sets it apart is what is inside. It holds divine guidance to live by.              

Paul wrote to Timothy that “All Scripture is god-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) meaning, it is a treasure-trove of wisdom. Of course the world and those who don’t believe in or see the Triune God as believers do, will not be drawn to the Word of God or desire to seek God’s wisdom through it, and they will miss the wisdom found there. But when you are drawn to it, when you seek it, and when you live by, it others will be curious how you are so wise and can make such wise choices or conduct your life in such a wise way. That is your opportunity, not to expound on how smart and wise you are, how your brilliance lies in your family genetics, or how much education you have achieved; but giving God the glory and lifting up his wisdom and how he has helped and helps you make those good decisions for your life.

When you speak of the wisdom you have in this way others will be curious enough to investigate on their own; they will want to know more and more about the unique wisdom of God and start to read it for themselves. That is when Jesus’ words come to light “When I am lifted up (testified about) o the earth (to others) I will draw (inspire) all people to come (seek) to me. (John 12:32).      

I enjoy the wisdom of seasoned Christians. Some have been on the earth a long time—chronologically older—and some are not necessarily older but very smart because they are people of the Word, people who seek out and live by the wisdom of God. I often go to them when I am considering doing something or seeking God’s wisdom about something. They are reliable sources of wisdom, wells and springs of God’s wisdom. They have a lot to share, and I respect their wisdom and perspective, I appreciate the fact that they make it a point to fulfill their Christian duty of living wisely and seeking God’s wisdom above the world’s wisdom.  

Why is it our Christian duty to seek God’s wisdom? So we can become those who example true wisdom and show the world another way to live. This is one reason why God grants success and prosperity to the wise. People knew King Solomon’s wisdom did not come because of his ancestry, although his father David was a wise king and man also, but they knew the decisions Solomon made, the rulings he handed down were wise because they came from a higher wisdom. Therefore, they sat all day and for days if they needed to in order to hear what he had to say. I can imagine someone must have said, “Hey wait, this man really has something here! We should write all this down and compile a book of Solomon-isms so everyone can read it and become wiser!”

When we let God’s wisdom into our heart and become our guide then we will be wise in every area of life: money matters and finances, relationships, parenting, education and career choices, health decisions, conduct. We will know what it means to be discreet and sober-minded. God’s wisdom will make our life sweet and not bitter. When we have God’s wisdom, we will have fewer regrets and greater joys, satisfaction, and inner peace.

Next time we are praying we might remember King Solomon’s request of God. He could have asked for anything but because he asked God for wisdom, God granted him, not only wisdom but riches also (I Kings 3:1-15). Whatever you pray for remember to ask God for divine wisdom to guide you, to live by, to make wise choices and sound decisions. Ask him to help you fulfill your Christian duty by giving you godly wisdom in addition to all other Christian attributes he is blessing you to have. God’s wisdom may be wasted on and rejected by the world, but it should be treasured and enjoyed by his own. As Solomon so wisely used to say, “Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil (the world). It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones (Prov. 3:7-8). Let’s Pray,

Dear God, there are so many things we can ask for and so many things we should remember to ask for, but may we make our first, fervent, and continual request be to have and know your wisdom. I the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen