THE WISDOM OF PURSUING WISDOM
PROVERBS 4:5-9 NKJV
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you."
There are many things we can pursue in life. We can go after money, power, fame, a life of ease. We can pursue material things, intellectual or physical development. In the last two decades, the pursuit of happiness has come to the forefront.
In our passage for today, Solomon lays out some very good reasons for pursuing wisdom. The wisdom Solomon references is godly wisdom. This will be different from what can be gained at a university or through an advanced degree.
When encouragement comes to pursue wisdom, the pursuit of godly wisdom is the subject understood. And the benefits of godly wisdom are abundant.
When pursuing wisdom, go after wisdom with the intent to hold onto it. We don't want to simply hear what wisdom has to say; we want to obtain and retain. The number one way to obtain and hold onto God's wisdom is to put it into practice.
If we put wisdom into application in our lives, wisdom will protect us. God's wisdom will preserve us.
Solomon reminds us that wisdom is paramount. Wisdom is what we pursue first. Because godly wisdom will produce the things in our life that so many are chasing after.
Godly wisdom, when sought for and applied, will promote and honor us. Godly wisdom will decorate us better than any current fashion with God's grace and glory.
All of these benefits may seem a bit abstract, but we believe God knows what He is talking about.
APPLICATION:
Joy and I had a difficult start to our marriage. But we can testify to the fact that by pursuing God's wisdom and putting it into practice, the benefits are much more concrete.
God's wisdom applies to all areas, and His wisdom has blessed our marriage immensely.
God's wisdom impacts parenting, careers, financial matters, and physical health. All we need is a heart to pursue and the faith to put His wisdom into practice. No wonder when Paul prayed for the churches, he prayed for wisdom.
PRAYER:
Father, I purpose to pursue Your wisdom this year in a greater way. Thank You for making Your wisdom available to me.