How do I receive wisdom from the Lord?

January 19, 2022

My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5

As a young boy growing up in the country, I would often find myself picking up rocks and doing various things with them. Sometimes I would skip them across a pond, throw them at barn swallows swooping down at me, or try to hit a can sitting on top of a fence post. Later when I was older, I used large rocks to help form a foundation around an outdoor basketball court in Honduras, and mixed gravel with cement to form a concrete court. I’ve even used rocks on a hiking trip by stacking them in a unique pile to serve as a trail marker.

Yet one thing I’ve never used a rock for was to get a drink of water from it. But this is exactly what we see Moses doing in the first half of Exodus 17!

Solomon is known as the wisest man that ever lived. After David died his son Solomon would now be the king of Israel. God promised him he would give him whatever he asked for expecting him to say riches, a long life, fame, superiority over his enemies. However, Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the people and God was so pleased with his request He gave him all of the above. My point is; when Solomon speaks it is worth listening to. Proverbs specifically Chapters 1 & 2 are amazing instructions for life. He speaks to his son encouraging him on how to live a successful life.
You have no idea how many times I have asked the Lord for wisdom, whether it is leading a Bible study group, preparing a teaching, conducting, and making commercial business decisions, or even preparing “simple” things like a weekly devotion. I encourage you to read the entire second chapter of Proverbs and you will find wisdom is a path to walk on as the word “path” is used seven times. The Lord tells us He will do His part which is granting us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He will guard your path; protect you and lead you in the right way to go. (vs. 6-9) The only prerequisite is you have to do your part. (vs. 1-5 which is today’s text) He starts the text asking us to value the teachings and commands of the Lord and treasuring them in your heart. When you treasure something, you hold it in high value, high esteem, hanging on to it, knowing you likely will not use it all in one setting, but it will be parted out as needed.
Wisdom does not come by flippantly seeking it, hoping that it falls in our lap. It doesn’t come by osmosis or opened up like a Christmas gift. It doesn’t happen with your Bible open on the table while we watch our favorite soap opera, sporting event, or news program. The Bible uses words like incline or tune your ear, apply yourself, cry out for insight, lift up your voice, seek and search as you would for treasure. If you get into the Word of God like you are digging for gold or silver, you will not be disappointed and come up rich. One man said, “what I mine is mine.” You don’t get it because someone told you about it over the airwaves or even from the pulpit, you get it because you “earned it”. When the pages of your Bible are covered by the sweat of your brow then you know you are on the right path.
Simple exercise. How do I know I am getting a good hold onto wisdom and plugging into knowledge? Solomon says receive the Word and hide it in your hearts. (vs. 1) Hear the Word and apply it to your life. (vs. 2) Dig for it and search for it. (vs. 3-4) It is then you will understand fear and find knowledge. (vs. 5) The key to it all is fear. The fear of the Lord. You cannot claim to be a wise person if you do not live in the fear of the Lord.

Pastor Rick Lipira