Wisdom: January 25, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 25, 2011

WISDOM

DEFINITION:

Discernment; sound judgment; the ability to make good use of knowledge.

SCRIPTURE:

For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Wisdom is much more than just knowledge and information we acquire from being educated. The most educated people in the world are not necessarily the wisest. Solomon asked God for wisdom because he recognized that wisdom comes from God as he tells us in Proverbs 2:6.

If God were to come to you and say, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you,” would you ask for wisdom? Solomon did. He defined the wisdom he needed as “a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”

In the Old Testament the word used to express the concept of wisdom occurs over 300 times. The concept of wisdom is demonstrated in the Old Testament through the results of Godly choices versus ungodly choices. The lessons of the Old Testament focus our attention on the importance of wisdom in our approach to life in the choices we make concerning our values and commitments.

The wise person seeks God, submits to him, and applies God’s guidelines when making daily decisions. The person who is wise will seek the knowledge of God because God is the source of wisdom. God provides the believer needed perspective so that we will understand what is right and just and fair. Knowledge of God brings wisdom and leads to living a life that honors God.

We gain knowledge of God by studying (which requires more than just reading) God’s Word. Anyone who desires wisdom can ask God for it, just as Solomon did. As James advises in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.”

Wisdom is necessary for godly living. In order to have wisdom from God we must first have a relationship with God and put our trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all we do. (Proverbs 3:5-6). The first three chapters of Proverbs deal with the importance of God-given wisdom and its benefits. As you and your family seek wisdom, these chapters will be helpful to you if you read them and discuss them together and talk about how you can apply them to your life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:4.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice.

PRAYER:

Give me today the wisdom I need to serve You with all of my heart. Help me to trust in You, acknowledge You, rely on Your Word, and honor You by my giving back to You a portion of what You have blessed me with.