Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

10 January 2024

Reading From Job 24-28

“Where then does wisdom come from?
    Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
    concealed even from the birds in the sky.

God understands the way to it
    and he alone knows where it dwells,

And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.”

–Job 28:20, 23, 28

     Timeless wisdom is found in God’s Word the Bible.[1]  The fact that it is the divinely inspired written record[2] is vital because it is an immovable anchor, unchangeable standard even amid the shifting sands of opinion, theory, and rapidly evolving ideas and technology.[3]  Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life[4] and is the same yesterday, today and forever.[5]  Therefore, the path to wisdom has always been and will always be the same; through Him and His Word.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”[6]  Oxford defines wisdom as, “able to make sensible decisions and give good advice because of the experience and knowledge that you have”[7]  To me, wisdom is knowledge put into practice in real life.  The personal revelation of Jesus, His Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit into all truth and making that truth applicable are authentic treasures provided for us as children of God.[8] Wisdom becomes more and more a part of our identity.

       Scripture must be put into practice to be truly effective in one’s life.  It isn’t enough to read and study, we must be willing to allow God through the surrender of our will as individuals to move through us, enlightening and empowering us to do His work on the Earth.[9]  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 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.”[10]  The knowledge must go from the head to the heart[11] to the hands and feet.[12]

     “Lord, it is far easier to read and study Your Word than it is to live it out.  Holy Spirit, please help me.  Help me to absorb the truths of Scripture into every fiber of my being. Let Your wisdom guide me in my daily life, bring balance to my experiences, and inform my worldview.  Flow through me to bless others.  Give me the words to say to speak the truth in love.  Amen.”

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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:5-8

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[1] Malachai 3:6

[2] II Timothy 3:16

[3] Isaiah 40:8

[4] John 14:6

[5] Hebrews 13:8

[6] Proverbs 9:10

[7] wise_1 adjective – Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

[8] John 16:13

[9] Matthew 7:24

[10] James 1:22-25

[11] Romans 10:9

[12] Isaiah 52:7, I Corinthians 12:27, Galatians 5:13