Tag: Wisdom

10.u.”The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart”

Micah 2:7  Has the Lord grown impatient? Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

Psalms 19:7-11    The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 2:7     he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 10:29     The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

Hosea 14:9    Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Jeremiah 15:16     Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.

Psalms 119:99-103   I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

God’s word is a light unto our path, a beacon to our soul, a delight to our heart, wisdom to our mind, shield against our fears, a stronghold of courage, a fortress of rest, joy, and peace, and a sure foundation throughout eternity.  Through His Word, we find hope, and our faith is continually strengthened.  His Word exposes the intent of our hearts and leads us onto paths that honor and glorify Him.  His Word will revive a tired and broken soul.  His Word will convict our hearts.  His promises become our stronghold against the devil.  Spend time in His Word, hungering, and thirsting for His truths to be revealed to your heart, mind, and soul.  In them, the things of this world grow strangely dim and eternity grows brighter than the sun.

6.z. “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:9   After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

During the Tribulation period when the church is gone and the seals are open and the anger and wrath of God are upon the earth, we see God in grace and mercy reaching out.  He seals the 144,000 who are His witnesses and these who are clothed in white robes are those who have believed and been saved and died because of and during the tribulation period.  “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  I still have to wonder how many have died during this time without believing, and in so doing, sealed their eternal destiny in hell.  Isn’t it the same today?  Rejection of Christ and finding their pleasure, satisfaction, and hope in things of this world instead of the Creator of it.  Today, the Holy Spirit of God is still present.  God’s Holy Spirit, to guide, direct, encourage open ears, open eyes, soften hearts and proclaim truth to our hearts is present.  And even though His Spirit is present we still resist and close our eyes and ears, harden our hearts, and stiffen our necks.  We resist His active presence in our lives and intentionally choose to follow what seems right in our own eyes.  We neglect His Word and desire things of this world more than humbly serving, honoring, following, obeying, and trusting in Him.  Notice how those who come through the tribulations and worship Him day and night.  They serve Him.  We do well to grow in His Word, and desire and seek to live, act, think and speak in ways that honor and glorify Him every moment of every day.

5.l. “Will it be well with you when he searches you out?”

Job 13:4   As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God? Will it be well with you when he searches you out?

James 1:19    Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 17:28     Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 10:19    When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Ecclesiastes 5:2-3    Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Proverbs 17:27    Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Job obviously was upset at what his friends were saying to him and told them to keep silent and let that be their wisdom.  Keeping silent.  I am always fearful of when I am in discussion with a friend or brother and they are battling a decision.  I am fearful that what I am speaking may not be in-line with God’s purpose and plan for them. I am fearful that I may say something in-line with God’s Word with such conviction that I leave no room for God’s will or timing.  What if what I tell them leads them away from God and not closer?  What if what I say makes them lose faith instead of increasing it?  In this fear I sometimes just keep quiet.  I recognize this and here is what I do when finding myself in these times of discussion; I’m in prayer as they speak and as I listen.  I ask God to give me recall scripture and speak what He would have me speak.  It comforts my soul to yield to God first and trust in the Holy Spirit to lead my thoughts and what I say.  We must always leave room in what we say for God’s plans and purposes and timing.  God is in control.  God can and will use us if we yield to Him. We need not be afraid to offer counsel to friends but let us make sure we are never lacking in studying God’s Word and applying it in our lives each day.  many times our words will be few but with God, they will speak volumes into the heart of our friend.

5.j.  It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Job 12:13  “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open. If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. With him are strength and sound wisdom;

Psalms 147:5    Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Proverbs 2:6-7   For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Jeremiah 10:12   It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Colossians 2:3    to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:5    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Isaiah said this about God; “ Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?”  When you think about this and know that God consulted with no one.  He was not taught these things. He created all there is by speaking them into existence.  It is hard for us to imagine just how all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present God is.  His majesty is beyond our deepest knowledge and understanding.  His holiness is greater than purity.  His power is greater than all the forces of man and all of nature.  Yet, this same one and only God chose to send His son to redeem us, to create a new spirit within us, to give us peace, joy, rest, hope, love, and courage, to give us hope in eternity, to give us hope this side of eternity, and to know our sins are forgiven and removed as far as the east is from the west.  God chose us.  He called to us.  He drew us close.  He softened our hearts. He gave us the wisdom to know of both the need for salvation but also the Savior.  He said, “come unto me all who are heavy with burden and I will give you rest”.  Think about this for a while; the Creator of all there is leaves an open invitation for salvation and help.  The do we wait to run into His wide-open arms?

5.k. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you

Job 12:12  Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.

Job 8:8   “For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out.

Job 32:7   I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’

1 Kings 12:6-8   Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?”  And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”  But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

Hebrews 5:12   For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

Pro 1:2  To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,  to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

There is worldly wisdom that comes to most.  It comes with time and age. It is cultivated through experience and observing good and bad, right and wrong, worldly and godly, smart and foolish, and justice and injustice.  This wisdom can teach a man how to walk a worldly path and avoid troubles that have come to others.  This wisdom can make one appear to have the secrets of knowledge and understanding.  However, in the end, this wisdom only has the ability to help in worldly things.   It is missing wisdom that comes from a surrender of self to Jesus Christ.  Without this godly wisdom, we will miss grace, mercy, love,  forgiveness, salvation, redemption, and eternity in heaven.  Godly wisdom is a gift to those who desire and seek after things of God.  This desire and seeking drive us to His Word, to our knees or to our hands lifted high in praise and worship of Jesus Christ.  It is in this reverence we touch the surface of godly wisdom and it is in this that we will grow and mature.  Choose today to start fresh and committed to seeking and growing in Godly wisdom.

5.h. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

Job 11:7   “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.

Psalms 77:19     Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

Psalms 145:3    Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Ecclesiastes 3:11    He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Isaiah 40:28   Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Romans 11:33   Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Ephesians 3:8   To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1 Corinthians 2:16   “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

We catch glimpses of the mysteries of God.  We see men of God who searched deep, hard and long for this glimpse of God.  In the end, they come to the conclusion that His greatness is unsearchable for when we capture the briefest of a glimpse we are no closer to understanding how awesome He is.  We just see more and understand that He is greater than are the furthest imagination.  When we examine and search for His love we find it greater and more encompassing.  When we search out His might and power it is greater than all men who have been born before and now and in the future combined.  When we search out His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding we are no closer to finding it than when we began, even if we were to search it out for millions of years.  When we search out His grace and mercy we come to Jesus Christ and have an example but it still leaves us with unsearchable Holy qualities that are too high, too deep, and too wide to comprehend even the surface of it.

Certainly, we can meditate on God and His Word and grow more mature in our understanding and grow in our want to know Him more and more, and serve Him more, and honor Him more, and follow Him more, and obey Him more and this is our goal and purpose this side of eternity.  In the scope of eternity we are here but a blink of an eye.  Think about what it will be like to be in His presence forever and ever.  Let not another day go by with neglect of honoring Him.  He alone is worthy.

4.x. O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Job 5:27  Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.”

Job 8:8-10    “For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out.

Psalms 111:2    Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

Proverbs 2:3-5    yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,  if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Psalms 104:24    O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Jeremiah 32:17-19    ‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.  You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts,  great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.

Psalms 111:7  The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

This song seems to search out things of God in a way that should move our heart, mind, and soul to humbly bow with raised hands and worship, honor, and glorify Him.

God of creation, There at the start, Before the beginning of time, With no point of reference, You spoke to the dark, And fleshed out the wonder of light

And as You speak A hundred billion galaxies are born In the vapor of Your breath the planets form.  If the stars were made to worship so will I

I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made, Every burning star, A signal fire of grace, If creation sings Your praises so will I. God of Your promise, You don’t speak in vain, No syllable empty or void, For once You have spoken, All nature and science Follow the sound of Your voice.

And as You speak A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath. Evolving in pursuit of what You said. If it all reveals Your nature so will I.

I can see Your heart in everything You say, Every painted sky. A canvas of Your grace. If creation still obeys You so will I. So will I.  So will I.

If the stars were made to worship so will I. If the mountains bow in reverence so will I. If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I. For if everything exists to lift You high so will I. If the wind goes where You send it so will I. If the rocks cry out in silence so will I. If the sum of all our praises still falls shy, Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times.

God of salvation You chased down my heart Through all of my failure and pride. On a hill You created The light of the world Abandoned in darkness to die.

And as You speak A hundred billion failures disappear. Where You lost Your life so I could find it here. If You left the grave behind You so will I. I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done. Every part designed in a work of art called love. If You gladly chose surrender so will I.

I can see Your heart Eight billion different ways. Every precious one A child You died to save. If You gave Your life to love them so will I. Like You would again a hundred billion times. But what measure could amount to Your desire. You’re the One who never leaves the one behind

4.u. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Job 5:12  He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night.

Psalms 33:10-11    The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Proverbs 21:30    No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Isaiah 8:10    Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.

Psalms 21:11    Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.

Psalms 9:15-16    The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.  The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

Psalms 7:15-16    He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.  His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

1 Corinthians 1:19-20    For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

It does not take much time reading or watching the news in either local or foreign outlets to hear those who have no regard for God.  It comes from those in business, education, military, unions, sports, and politics.  It seems the louder they speak and the more absurd their thoughts the more attention they get.  They would have us believe things like: only the weak seek a god, there are many gods, there are multiple ways to God, your life is all about YOU, and you are intolerant if you do not agree with that which opposes honoring God.  They feed fuel to the lies of Satan.  The most unsettling thing about this is that more and more people are believing these lies.  They join in full force to the cause of the day without giving thought to God.  I would like to say that people are brainwashed over time and have little to no chance of not being pulled along this path of destruction.  The truth is that God has placed within each of these hearts knowledge of Him and they have chosen to reject Him.  At the end of the day, they are without excuse, hope, or true hope and peace.  We can shake out head at them in disgust but the truth of the matter is that we too were just like this, lost and without hope.  God in His perfect plan, softened our heart and in this softening, we heard whispers of the need for forgiveness, salvation, and repentance.  Our minds were spiritually opened to the mystery of grace, mercy, and love through Jesus Christ.  This wisdom and understanding were not of ourselves but of God.

I get lost in my thoughts when I try to understand this in light of our free will to open the door to our heart to Him and His softening of our heart to bring us to this point in our life.  I see these lost people and what they say and what they believe and get a bit miffed with all of it.  I easily forget how I was also this way.  I forget the darkness I lived in.  I forget all the time I spent in this darkness and liking it.  I forget all of the time spent apart from God and never giving Him a single thought.  They are lost for sure but while there is breath in their lungs there is still hope for salvation, forgiveness, and repentance.

We honor God by exposing the darkness.  We honor God by speaking and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We never know who or when a hardened heart will be softened, but we do know that salvation and forgiveness are given to all who believe in, trust in, and rely on Jesus Christ.

4.r. How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible his ways!

Job 4:12   “Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it. Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth. Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces; they perish forever without anyone regarding it. Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without wisdom?’

Romans 11:33   Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Romans 9:20     But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”

Ecclesiastes 7:20    Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Jeremiah 17:9   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Matthew Henry:   “Eliphaz relates a vision. When we are communing with our own hearts, and are still, Ps 4:4, then is a time for the Holy Spirit to commune with us. This vision put him into very great fear. Ever since man sinned, it has been terrible to him to receive communications from Heaven, conscious that he can expect no good tidings thence. Sinful man! shall he pretend to be more just, more pure, than God, who being his Maker, is his Lord and Owner? How dreadful, then, the pride and presumption of man! How great the patience of God! Look upon man in his life. The very foundation of that cottage of clay in which man dwells, is in the dust, and it will sink with its own weight. We stand but upon the dust. Some have a higher heap of dust to stand upon than others but still it is the earth that stays us up, and will shortly swallow us up. Man is soon crushed; or if some lingering distemper, which consumes like a moth, be sent to destroy him, he cannot resist it. Shall such a creature pretend to blame the appointments of God? Look upon man in his death. Life is short, and in a little time men are cut off. Beauty, strength, learning, not only cannot secure them from death, but these things die with them; nor shall their pomp, their wealth, or power, continue after them. Shall a weak, sinful, dying creature, pretend to be more just than God, and more pure than his Maker? No: instead of quarrelling with his afflictions, let him wonder that he is out of hell. Can a man be cleansed without his Maker? Will God justify sinful mortals, and clear them from guilt? or will he do so without their having an interest in the righteousness and gracious help of their promised Redeemer, when angels, once ministering spirits before his throne, receive the just recompence of their sins? Notwithstanding the seeming impunity of men for a short time, though living without God in the world, their doom is as certain as that of the fallen angels, and is continually overtaking them. Yet careless sinners note it so little, that they expect not the change, nor are wise to consider their latter end.

4.d. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Nehemiah 8:13  On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.

Proverbs 2:1-6    My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,  making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;  yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding.  if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Proverbs 8:33-34   Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.  Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Mark 6:33-34    When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Blessed is the one who listens.  I wonder if we truly cherish God’s word.  Are we inching our hearts to understanding?  Are our ears attentive? Are we calling out for understanding?  Are we seeking God’s word for hidden treasures?  Do we hear instruction? Are we watching and waiting to hear and be led? God’s compassion, grace, mercy, purpose, plan, and love are revealed to those who seek it.  It is one thing to desire and seek God’s word and another to just be exposed to it.  There is a difference.  Exposure is not necessarily something that is desired but rather something that just happens.  If we take this approach to God’s word there is no effort, no commitment, no longing, no searching for it like a hidden treasure.

Now is a good time to examine our heart, mind, and soul to see if we are searching God’s word for hidden treasures or are content with complacent exposure.