“Like a surgeon’s scalpel…proper use of knowledge repairs, heals and solicits hope…as wisdom is wrapped in humility.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 27, 2023
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
A helpful definition of wisdom…wisdom is the right use of knowledge. The goal of the Christian is not to become overwhelmed by more information but to rightly divide the word of truth. In other words, to internalize and apply the knowledge already imparted to you with understanding and application from the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming an educated fool. The wisdom of the world can make you look smart but in reality…only surface smarts. Fools lack the humility of admitting the more you learn the less you really know. Like a surgeon’s scalpel…proper use of knowledge repairs, heals and solicits hope…as wisdom is wrapped in humility.
So, we learn from this proverb that wisdom is a gift from God for the wise use of knowledge and understanding. This wise use of knowledge begins with knowing God. Learning what it means to fear, love, and obey the Lord. And in God’s wisdom, He has given us the Scriptures to learn and discover His heart of love and wisdom to lead us to live a life that honors him.
Imagine a baseball playing field… First base is to fear God, to worship and adore our Heavenly Father who is holy, high, and lifted up worthy of our worship. God gives wisdom to his beloved who fear Him. Second base is to love God. Our affections and devotion are an intimate relationship of oneness with the holy Trinity. God gives wisdom to His children who love Him.
Third base is to obey God. Using wisdom to discern knowledge and understanding to do God’s will. God gives wisdom to those who obey Him. But a baseball diamond is not complete without Homeplate. Homeplate represents humility which is how you gain wisdom. The Lord gives his wisdom to those he can trust, to those with humble hearts.
“I [Solomon] am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:7-8).
Beautifully, we see in the life of King Solomon, someone who started out with a humble, childlike dependence on the Lord for wisdom to help the people know right from wrong. But after much success over time his heart of humility was replaced by a heart of pride that began to make foolish instead of wise decisions. What does it mean to have a humble heart? A person of humility who has a childlike faith, who trusts the Lord, and who wants to use wisdom to help others. Humility defers to God’s best and what’s best for others. God gives grace to the humble and trusts a humble heart with his wisdom. Avoid foolishness by replacing pride with humility.
Wisdom is a gift from God to be used for God’s purposes. And as His children, we obtain wisdom from Him with a humble heart that fears, loves, and obeys the Lord. Receive God’s gift of wisdom and then give it away to love and serve others. Stay humble and grow wise!
“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” (James 1:5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow my heart of humility, so you can trust me to use wisdom to love you and serve others, through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Consider asking those who know you the best and who love you the most what areas of your life need you to grow in humility, love, and wisdom.
Related Reading
Proverbs 1:7-8; 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:17-30; James 3:13-18
Worship Resource
Tasha Layton: Look What You’ve Done
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