Pastor’s Corner: “Holding on to Joy”
Proverbs 3:13-14 (NIV) – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
If God appeared to you today and said, “I will give you one gift to use as you see fit,” what would you choose? Power? Wealth? Good health? Or would you choose something that is on God’s heart – Wisdom and understanding (Solomon’s choice)? Each morning as we scroll through social media and flip through the news, we see so much division among our nation. There is political, religious, racial, cultural and economic division which separates us and calls us to take sides. How can we possibly navigate this never ending maze of complex issues where solutions are not clear or easily obtained? As Christians, how can we honor God in this environment?
I wonder how things might change if we stepped back to view these conflicts from God’s perspective and not our own? What if we chose to seek God’s wisdom and understanding amidst these divisions instead of pursuing answers in our own strength and understanding? God is the source of all wisdom. Romans 11:33 –Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! There is no problem or situation that is beyond God’s understanding or power and we have access to His wisdom. James 1:5 (NIV) – 5 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. This is amazing news!
Wisdom comes through knowing God and asking. Notice I didn’t say knowledge about God. Knowing God comes through time spent in connection and communication with Him, just like you come to know a new friend or build an intimate relationship. Reverence for the Lord is the natural outflow of knowing God and another source of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. When “fear of the Lord” is referenced in Scripture, it doesn’t refer to being afraid of God; the intended meaning is reverence for God, recognizing God’s holiness, and responding with appropriate humility and awe in His presence. Proverbs 22:4 – Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
God’s wisdom can turn what looks like sure defeat into victory, but it more than likely will not be popular and be rejected by many. But popular rejection is no sign that something is wrong or ineffective. We have to remember today that the world will never applaud the basic truth of the Christian faith because Christianity is a light to the world that points out its error, and exposes its illusions; it humbles it. The world cannot take that. So we can expect that the wisdom that we are learning from God will not necessarily be popular. Nevertheless, it is that which can bring freedom and salvation!
God’s wisdom will look like foolishness to the world. Wisdom is to act upon the revelation of reality that the Scriptures give us; In Romans 12:2 Paul says, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world [do not run after all the attractive, illusive dreams shouted at you constantly by the world], but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Look at what you are going through, not from the standpoint of what seems right but upon what is right according to the Word of God and revelation from Holy Spirit. Here is true wisdom: Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight
Let’s choose to pray for God’s wisdom and understanding next time we feel called to draw a line in the sand and “Pick a Side.” Let us choose His side, His perspective, His Wisdom, even when it is foolishness to the world. The world is in desperate need of God’s wisdom, are you willing to be an instrument of His peace and wisdom even when it is not popular? Proverbs 3:13-14 (NIV) – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” In order to find wisdom, all we have to do is ask and obey! Are you asking? And are you willing to obey even when it is not popular?
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton