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Bible Study........................................................................Pages
from His Grace Magazine
by His Grace
Page 24 His Grace Magazine! February 2022
Proverbs 9:10
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In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon is giving wise advice to his son. He implores his son to seek godly wisdom, the same way one would search for riches or gold. Through Solomon's search for fulfillment in his life, he discovered that all things are 'vanity' (Ecclesiastes 1:2). In his search for pleasure and fulfillment in the wrong places, he determined that life doesn't consist of how wealthy you are, how popular you are, the things you own, or the things you may accomplish in life. He learned that striving for the things this world has to offer is like striving after the wind.
The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:16, exhorts Christians to put off foolishness because of the state of the world we live in: "Look carefully how you live; not as unwise, but wise; make the best use of time, because the days are evil."
Jesus also depicted the world to be a foolish place, but He imparts true light and wisdom to those who seek Him. Foolish people do not consider the truth of God and the light of Christ, and they lose their soul because of it. Proverbs 27:22 says, "Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain; yet his folly will not depart from him." The more we become immersed in the uncompromised Word of of wisdom: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Due to sin, we all lack wisdom and only those who acquire a fear of the Lord can obtain wisdom. Sometimes we think we're smart enough to handle all the curveballs that life throws at us. We need truth and wisdom to figure out how to deal
God, the more we come to a knowledge of the Holy One and the greater we discover the enormity of His plans and purposes for those who love Him. Jesus knows all truth and will reveal the truth to those who ask Him. To know Jesus our Lord is to know God Himself, for they are One. Proverbs 1:7 shows us the necessity with these experiences in a fallen world. So we seek wisdom, but more often than not, it isn't from God. There is so much in this world that passes for wisdom, but it isn't godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is a man-centered view of the world. Worldly wisdom would ask, "How can I make the most money so that I can live a comfortable life? Godly wisdom asks, "How can I make money so that I can give generously and live sacrificially to further the gospel of Christ, yet still provide for my family according to scripture?" God requires us to be separated from any secular world view to a godly purpose and mindset. During Job's trials, he asked his friends, "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?" Job says that such wisdom cannot be bought with money, nor is it found in the land of the living. It needs to be sought through diligent study of God's Word, because God alone has the wisdom we need and He implores us to pray for it. In order to grow in wisdom, we need to pray and ask God to increase it in us. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Wisdom helps us know the right direction, bringing with it peace and joy. Only godly wisdom
February 2022
His Grace Magazine! Page 25
Proverbs 9:10
and understanding will provide the fulfillment in life we all seek. The fear of the Lord is a powerful concept and it will empower us to a different way of life. It is best understood as an attitude of reverence. It is important to know who God really is, a God of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, justice, holiness and righteousness. He is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. Having knowledge of the Holy One gives us insight, and remembering God's attributes helps us to understand that this world is corrupt, but realizing at the same time that God is in control throughout. Wisdom starts with a God's-eye view of the world. When we see the world through God's eyes, we realize how very limited our understanding is - even our wisest moments are like foolishness to God. Psalm 147:5 says, "Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite." Since our understanding is limited and God's is infinite, we must adopt the perspective that He reaches us in His Word. So where is wisdom to be found? Through the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God, we may know the truth of our existence as well as the ultimate meaning of life. It is found in Christ, revealed by the Word, received by faith, through the Holy Spirit. Wisdom teaches and encourages sinners to fear the Lord and to depart from evil. Wisdom inspires us to worship God and to love Him as our Heavenly Father. His love leads us to know and do what is right and good in specific circumstances. When we learn to perceive the world through God's eyes, we avoid idolatry by not giving attention or value to things that are not of God. We learn to walk in God's will and God's ways, which are the pathway of life. Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
