Take to heart the Word of God!
The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom!
Solomon succeeded David as King of Israel when Israel was at its peak and in line with the Davidic Covenant with God. David had conquered most of the territories surrounding Israel under the mighty hand of God and there was peace in the land. Solomon was also charged with building the first great Temple and was left with the means to do so by his father, King David.
1 Kings 2:45 (NIV)
But King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will remain secure before the Lord forever.”
When Solomon was firmly established on the throne of Israel, God spoke to him in a dream and told him he could ask for anything that he wanted, and it would be given to him. We all know what he asked for, it was not for worldly things and possessions, it was for an understanding heart or wisdom as some Bible translations call it, so that he would be capable of being Israel’s leader.
1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Solomon’s request pleased God so much that he gave him much more than what he asked for – God holds humility in the greatest esteem!
1 Kings 3:10-14 (NIV)
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
And even though Solomon slipped and fell away from God in his middle years he came back strongly in his later years, but God is faithful, he kept all his promises to Solomon and gave him not only wisdom but wealth and long life as well. God is a faithful promise keeper!
In his later years, Solomon, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote most of if not all the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and possibly, although not confirmed, Song of Songs or Song of Solomon as it is often called.
This now sets the scene for us to investigate the scriptures and see just how we can attain Godly wisdom in our lives today!
Well, just like King Solomon did, we ask God for it! But there are a few other things we need to do first.
Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
The breath of God is His Holy Spirit.
When we look at Proverbs 1, God tells us through Solomon exactly why the entire book of Proverbs was written. Let’s have a look at this.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
These seven verses should be written indelibly on our hearts and minds as they tell us how the Proverbs can teach us wisdom and understanding and will lead us to live Godly lives in a sin ridden world! Solomon made many mistakes and went through many different life experiences just as we do. But our ever faithful Father turns all things to His good purpose and the Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write the Book of Proverbs so that we can learn from his experiences!
In 1 Kings 3:12 God tells us that no man has had such wisdom as Solomon has, and there never will be again.
1 Kings 3:12 (NIV)
I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Yes, the book of Proverbs was written so that we as Christians can gain Godly wisdom, understanding and knowledge and much, much more! We need always bear in mind that God’s Word is everything that Jesus is to us as Christians, and it is therefore imperative that we know the Word of God – to read it and study it and get revelation from it in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way we will bring glory to the name of Jesus! This is Godly wisdom!
Matthew 4:4 (AMP)
But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”
Reading, studying, digesting and doing the Word of God is just as important to our spiritual growth as eating and drinking is to our physical growth!
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:14 (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What is our journey to acquire Godly wisdom?
Step 1
Become born-again by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and repenting of your sin, walking in obedience to the teachings of the Bible. Without Jesus we have no access to God. There is only one name by which we can be saved and that is the name of Jesus. Not Mary, not Allah, not Budha or any other name you may think up – ONLY THE NAME OF JESUS!
Acts 4:11-12 (NIV)
11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Let’s have a look at what the prophet Isaiah says about Jesus when he prophesied to Israel about the coming of Jesus their Messiah!
Isaiah 11:1-3a (NIV)
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He (Jesus) will have the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord – He will delight in the fear of the Lord.
We should delight in the fear of the Lord too as it protects us from evil and gives us Godly wisdom and understanding.
Jesus and knowledge of the Word give us Godly wisdom through the Holy Spirit!
John 14:25-26 (AMP)
25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
KNOW JESUS – KNOW THE WORD = GODLY WISDOM
Step 2
Embrace the reverent fear of God!
The Hebrew word for fear in Proverbs 1:7 is ‘yirah’ (pron: yir-aw – Strong’s 3373) and its expanded meaning is: a morally reverent fear. It is a fear that inspires awe and aspiration and is not a destructive, cowardly and controlling fear. It is a fear that all Christians should have for their creator and the author of their salvation. It is a fear born out of love and respect for the Father of all creation, the Father of all things.
It is a reverent fear that we need to hold on to tooth and nail. It is a fear that will prevent us from doing evil and ensure us being obedient to His Word in all things because we don’t want to disobey our loving Father in Heaven. He is an awesome God, and His love endures forever!
Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
In the above verse the writer of Proverbs clearly says that we will be fools if we reject the Godly wisdom and instruction that is made available to us in the Bible, and if we reject any part of the Bible then we reject Jesus for He is the Word! The fear of the Lord leads us to a good life of contentment and peace. Not the peace of the world but the inner peace of the Lord that sees us through difficult times.
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
The reverent ‘fear of the Lord’ is mentioned 16 times in the book of Proverbs. This reinforces just how important it is for Christians to hold God in reverent fear and thus gain Godly wisdom!
Step 3
Apply the Word of God in your daily lives. Be doers of the Word and not just readers. Live in such a manner that is pleasing to God by being doers of the Word, being obedient to its teachings in every way! By being continually filled with the Holy Spirit and above all showing love, the agape love of God to your neighbour and especially to your brothers and sister in Christ!
Colossians 3:15-16 (AMP)
15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. 16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Galatians 6:10 (AMP)
So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).
James 1:22-25 (NIV)
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Step 4
Ask God for wisdom. Just as Solomon did, we can ask for wisdom too. God’s wisdom is not for a few select few, it is for all His children in Christ Jesus. Any born-again Christian can ask God for wisdom and be assured that he will receive it as long as their motives are pure and not self-serving!
James 1:5 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father
Today, Lord, I ask that you give me wisdom by your Holy Spirit, wisdom that will enable me to make Godly decisions in all I do and say in my life. I ask for wisdom, Lord, so that I may be pleasing to you and a blessing to my brothers and sisters in Christ, so that I may be more and more conformed to Christ’s image and truly obedient to your Word and, bring glory to the name of Jesus. Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
No comments:
Post a Comment