GETTING WISDOM: FIVE INSTRUCTIONS

For the LORD gives Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding – Proverbs 2:6

The LORD gives WISDOM, and the book of Proverbs consistently commands that we “Get Wisdom” (4:5, 7; 16:16). Today, we’ll meditate on five biblical instructions on how to get wisdom:

First, you must desire wisdom passionately: “Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her” (Pro.4:8 ESV). To prize something and to embrace someone are signs of intense desire and love. Wisdom must be extremely valuable to you. You must be willing to sell all in order to buy it: “Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, and like an adventurer on a treasure hunt” (Pro. 2:4 MSG).

Second, since wisdom is hidden and found in the Word of God, you must apply yourself in study and meditation to know His Word and do it: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psa. 19:7 NKJV). You must devote yourself to apprehend the testimonies of the Lord through diligent Bible study, and regular reading of bible-based books – books that collate the wisdom of the greatest students of the Word over the ages. Why not set aside 15 minutes slot each day and you’ll be marvelled how many books you’ll have read in a year?

Third is to Pray for Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (Jam. 1:5). Solomon was not born a wise man. He prayed for wisdom and God said, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold now I do according to your word” (1 Kgs 3:11). Paul prayed that the churches might have “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God” (Eph. 1:17).  God’s Wisdom is not natural or inborn; it is a supernatural gift of God. Therefore, to “get wisdom,” we must pray.

The fourth biblical instruction to accessing wisdom is to think frequently of the brevity of this life relative to the infinite length eternity. There is scarcely any thought that will purge us of vain and worldly perceptions like the thought of the brevity of life, the imminence of death, and the irreversibility of eternity. Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” There is great wisdom in meditating on the end, the finishing point, and the finality of life on earth.

The fifth and absolutely essential step to “get wisdom” is to come to Jesus – the Personification of Wisdom! Whereas others spoke God’s wisdom, Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24, 30). Others spoke truth; He is the Truth. Others had pointed the way to life; He is the Way and the Life (Jh. 14:6). Others gave promises, but “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2 Cor. 1:20). Therefore, in Him are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). To know, love, and follow Him is to own the greatest treasures of Wisdom and knowledge.