WISDOM CALLS

WISDOM CALLS

November 2, 2023
“Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
 
Wisdom is often described as the rightful application of knowledge. It is a result of decisions made from of a recognition of available facts; which is knowledge; and with understanding which is an insight into the reason behind the facts. As one who very quickly became aware of the myriad of his shortcomings and inherent failures, I cried out to God for wisdom from my teenage years. My heart bled at my failures and I dreaded growing up to make costly and regrettable mistakes especially the ones with far reaching or irreversible consequences. I am however not inspired to write today because of my personal experiences but the experiences of others whose stories I am acquainted with as a result of my pastoral duties and relationships. One thing is certain of wisdom and that is its availability. It calls out loudly and raises its voice in the streets. This makes it available to all and sundry. It is not available for the old alone, nor any race or creed. Whoever embraces her principles enjoys life abundantly. Of course, a good number of these principles are revealed to many through their own deep meditations, scientific research or learning through other human means and religions. The bottom line about wisdom is that he who seeks it will find it.
 
I feel deeply honoured and privileged to be exposed to the Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ is the true Light that lights every man who comes into the world. Every truth in the Bible and even outside of the Bible emanates from the Lord. His illumination is best encapsulated on the pages of the Holy Writ. There are however many views of the Good Book from many perspectives. Of course it is equated to other religious books and seen as only one of many sources of learning. That is only true to the extent that there are many alternatives to it but to the enlightened in the way of life, it transcends and trumps all other sources. All alternatives are relevant and true to the extent of their alignment with the Bible and falter in foolishness to the degree to which they disagree with the precious Holy Word of God. Her contents can only be contested to the degree of human limitations in the interpretation of its truth, but never can it be found wanting in its true proclamation and exposition. Realizing this fact makes me pray like David ;
 
“I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
 
The same realization however makes me promise the Lord this;
 
“I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬
 
The commandments of God and the principles of His Word appear difficult at times, especially because of the inconveniences they bear on the human nature. Yet, they are timeless truths that bring order, structure and boundaries to humanity according to the knowledge of the Maker of all beings and all things, for their welfare and prosperity. David observed as a result of the difference made in his life by following the laws of God, that they made him outsmart his enemies and also made him more insightful than his own teachers and superiors (Psalm 119:97-99). Likewise, as Joshua was trembling at the responsibility of leading Israel which was suddenly dropped upon his shoulders as a result of the death of Moses, God delivered the blueprint of success to Him;
 
“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭AMPC‬‬
 
As with Joshua, taking the Word of God and digesting it through recitation, meditation, observation and action, would cause us to deal wisely and have good success. The Word is designed to fulfill its promises and manifest its material equivalent (Isaiah 55:11). It is powerful and full of God’s glory (Hebrews 4:12). Embracing it is embracing the mind of God Himself. Through His Word, God is giving us an opportunity to live in this world as He would have if He were in our place. Rejecting the word is rejecting His wisdom. Despising His Word is despising His wisdom. Ignoring His word is ignoring Him. It is human pride at its highest form but unfortunately it is foolishness and will only lead to our own harm, distress and destruction.
 
“Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
 
Lately, I have heard of Pastors arrested and locked up in jail because of shady financial transactions. A young man told me of young men who ran into financial quagmires because of greed. A young lady is lured into a hotel and slaughtered due to the craze for money, another loses her life in a sex rump due to drugs, and yet Wisdom cries out so loudly that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). The admonition of Paul goes against the prosperity message we have invented for ourselves and not the wholesome life in Christ which guarantees total welfare in all dimensions. Paul warned further;
 
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV
 
To prosper God’s way is to first conquer greed, learn contentment, prioritize the kingdom of God and the poor and so steward our God-given resources graciously and selflessly. God in turn will bless us with more so we can continue to utilize them in the same manner that pleases Him:
 
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
This is money with a mission to expand as it is intended for the kingdom and take care of the less privileged. It is not the craze to be famous, live large and display it on social media to the shame of those who do not have. The wisdom of God is loving, selfless, kind, generous, gracious and empathetic. It does not embrace get rich quick schemes. It looks away from betting apps, lotteries, Ponzi schemes, fraud, cheating, betrayals, stealing, corruption, kidnapping, burglary and other dubious ways of getting rich. It embraces wise savings, safe investments, godly provision of goods and services in exchange for money, real estate investments, profitable careers and above all the pursuit of God given purpose. 

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