THE WISDOM IMPERATIVE

 THE WISDOM IMPERATIVE

 The acquisition of wisdom is mission critical to any meaningful degree of success in life.  Of course, my friend, you don’t have to be listed in Who’s Who to know what’s what!  It has been said that a wise man learns by the experience of others.  An ordinary man learns by his own experience.  A fool learns by nobody’s experience.  As we begin, carefully consider that. 

 But let’s lay a proper foundation.  What is wisdom?  Undoubtedly, wisdom is the one thing that is mission critical to navigating life effectively, i.e. minimizing the impact of distractions, roadblocks, challenges and setbacks that inevitably come.  In his book, “Knowing God,” J. I. Packer writes,  “wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.”  Doug Larson reveals one practical path to wisdom: “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.”  Both statements contain irrefutable truth.

 However, the Fountainhead of any and all wisdom, its undeniable Source, is an intimate relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.  According to the Apostle James, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)  So never leave God out of your life-equation.

 Arguably, King Solomon (King David’s son) was the wisest and richest man to ever walk this earth.  HOW he attained to that rarest pinnacle of divine wisdom is a strategic key to understanding the way that WE can open a wide door to the same.  For clear-cut clues, pay particular attention to Solomon’s prayer and God’s response, as recorded in The Holy Writ:

 “Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.  Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”

Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” (II Chronicles 1:9-12)

 And he displayed such extraordinary wisdom, that “all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which GOD had put in his heart.” (I Kings 10:24)  His wisdom was not the product of formal education; it was divinely granted – along with “great understanding and largeness of heart.” (I Kings 4:29)  This means that no one can truly be wise in the absence of (1) understanding, i.e. practical insight on how to navigate the issues of daily life, or in the absence of (2) largess, i.e. the ability to sincerely empathize and ably assist the life situations and limitations of others.  It’s the underlying reason for Solomon’s statement in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.  And in all your getting, get understanding.”  Gaining understanding (the nuts and bolts of wisdom) is the ability to clearly perceive and skillfully enact the plans and purposes of God.

 This insight only comes from one Source.  Not from the Ivy League, not from captains of industry, not from the movers and shakers, not from educators, not from philosophers, not from statesmen, not from the power elite – ONLY FROM ALMIGHTY GOD!  “For the LORD gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  (Proverbs 2:6)  Solomon concludes that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:20)

 Bottom-line: The highest illumination of wisdom is manifested in and through “the light of the world,” Jesus Christ, whom The Word identifies as “the wisdom of God.” (John 8:12 and I Corinthians 1:24)

 If you’ve not yet developed a covenant relationship with Him, get started today.  If you are already on the path of that spiritual journey, draw much closer to Him through the intimate communication that is only available through continual prayer and meticulous meditation on His Word.  It will truly revolutionize your thinking and transform your way of life. (Romans 12:2 and II Corinthians 3:18)

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!