Job 28:28: "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
When I lived in Michigan, I went regularly to the Detroit Correctional Facility to have Bible studies with the inmates there. The goal is always salvation of the men. I would start the meetings with a personal testimony, then take
prayer requests. The inmates' requests usually consisted of things like, "Pray for my judicial hearing"; or "Pray for my family and children." But one time, to my surprise, a man asked
me, “How do I get wisdom?” I told him if he stayed after the meeting I would show him in the Word of God how to obtain wisdom. After the message (and several salvations) I prayed and closed the meeting. To my surprise the man who wanted prayer came, and all the other men with him, and surrounded me to find out about wisdom!
I told those men seeking wisdom the following. When I pray, I ask the Lord regularly for six things: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discretion, discernment, and instruction. I ask for these six things so that I may learn the Fear of God. Job 28:28 says that wisdom BEGINS with the Fear of God! According to Proverbs 8:18, you cannot define the Fear of the Lord; you can only demonstrate it with your life: "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." Having this desire is critical.
The Lord wants several things:
- To teach us wisdom (Psalm 34:11; 86:11)
- For us to learn wisdom from His Word (Deuteronomy. 17:19)
- For us to choose wisdom (Proverbs 1:29).
Once you understand that God wants, and you also want them, follow the instruction of Proverbs 2:1-12. The first four verses include three “if” statements. Wisdom comes
- If you receive Gods Word (v. 1)
- If you beg for wisdom (v. 3)
- If you search faithfully and consistently for wisdom (v. 4).
Obtaining wisdom must be the great desire of your heart! If it is, verses 5-9 contain two "then" consequences:
- You will understand the fear of the Lord, and you will know God (v. 5)
- You will understand righteousness, judgment, equity, and every good path (v. 9).
When desiring wisdom becomes true in your life, it will change you dramatically. You will search for wisdom like it is a hidden treasure. This search for wisdom is everything God promises; it is a lifetime pursuit full of blessing.
The above article was written by Larry Goldsworthy. He is a member of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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