WISDOM FOR THE WINNING LIFE (2)

“Happy is the man who FINDS WISDOM, and the man who gains understanding” – Proverbs 3:13

Principal among the heavenly, unlimited resources that God provides for His children, is WISDOM for the WINNING LIFE: “Happy is the man who FINDS WISDOM, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold” (Pro.3:13-14). Wisdom is divine, supernatural intelligence; that faculty in God with which He answers questions, dissolves puzzles, and resolves problems. Wisdom is about exploring God’s approaches or strategies to issues of life. It is “knowing how” to make it in life; locating God’s way of thinking and of doing things. God thinks and acts with keys, principles, and skills; which are facets of Wisdom.

Wisdom refers to Divine “know-how” – the HOW-TOs of God. Wisdom lays hold on God’s higher thoughts and higher ways (Isa.55:8-10). God’s Word contains His higher thoughts which lead to His higher ways. Ordinary thoughts lead to ordinary ways and ends; higher thoughts lead to higher ways and glorious ends. There is enough in God’s Word to fulfill our greatest dreams, desires, and aspirations. Wisdom is the supernatural ability to discover divine secrets and bring solutions to dark matters too difficult for the human mind. Wisdom knows from the Word, which way to go and how to handle situations to make them produce desired results. God is extremely skillful and He endows His people with same.; hence, Access to Divine Wisdom is one of life’s greatest Assets! God promotes to prominence on the Platform of Wisdom!

Joseph lived a Winning Life. His wise solution to Pharaoh’s problem positioned him as Egypt’s Prime Minister. Wisdom provoked purity in Joseph; and in due time, Egypt’s Pharaoh bowed to his wisdom: “There is none greater in this house than I; neither has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Gen.39:9). Again, “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as God has showed you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are: You shall be over my house, and according unto your word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt (Gen. 41: 39-41). Wisdom transformed Joseph from a prisoner in the dungeon to Prime Minister!

This Proverbs passage captures various Virtues of Wisdom for the Winning Life:

Happiness or Divine Satisfaction: “Happy is the man who FINDS WISDOM...” (v.13) – To find Divine Wisdom is to find Fulfilment;

Productivity and Profitability: “For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold (v.14);

Preciousness: “She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her” (v.15);

Longevity with Riches and Honour: “Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor” (v.16) – not a wretched old age;

Pleasantness and Peace: “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (v.17);

Fruitfulness and Fulfilment in Life: “She is a TREE of LIFE to those who TAKE HOLD of her, and happy are all who RETAIN her” (v.18).

Creativity and Establishment: “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens” (v.19);

Confidence and Restfulness: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet” (v.24).

God's children are instructed to FIND, TAKE HOLD of, and RETAIN WISDOM: “My son, let them not depart from your eyes – KEEP Sound Wisdom and discretion; so they will be LIFE to your soul and GRACE to your neck” (vv.21-22). This is our Guarantee of the Winning Life!