Reading - Proverbs Chapter 2
Wisdom….Wisdom is a term used in many contexts throughout modern day life. When we think of wisdom we might think of an older character who has life experience that they share to the next generations. Maybe our parents, grandparents, professors, preachers, or Doc from the movie Cars and all is Wisdom when it comes to racing.
Acceptance and Storing
The bible speaks a lot of wisdom and the importance of knowing the power and use of it. Proverbs chapter 2 explains the worth of wisdom in our life. To gain wisdom we must first receive and treasure it. The first verse in chapter 2 says “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you”. This verse explains how wisdom is gained and used in our life. The term “Accept” or receive, is best described as absorbing the teaches given unto you by God through prayer, sermons, or study of the word. Acceptance is shortly followed up by “store up” which explains how wisdom can be used in our lives. Wisdom is not something gained and used immediately, sometimes it can be though, it’s a process of storing it or treasuring the teachings for some time before the effects are felt. “My commands within you” refers to the teaching and wisdom of God. His intention is that we as believers make his wisdom our own, which we are to learn from reading and studying his word.
Effort
Nothing comes by accident, we train, study, and prepare for things that we want in our life. If we want to play in the MLB (Opening Day Today!!!), the Red Sox are not just going to call you up one day and ask you to be their star player. No you have to train and prepare yourself to becoming the person that is the star player for a major sports team. The same goes to the wisdom, discernment, and understanding. As Christ followers and readers of his word we are to put in the effort and the “Directing your heart to understanding” (2:2). We must seek out this wisdom as if it was “silver” or “hidden treasure”. There must be a willingness and desire to know the wisdom God has for as, and to this must add the diligence.
Shield
Wisdom not only is a guide and teaching but also acts as a shield to guard us against the ways of the world. “He is a shield for those who live with integrity” (2:7). This world is full of wrong and hateful ideas that we will never be able to grasp the wisdom of God if we are not being defended against the false teaching by the word and wisdom of God. The understanding of wisdom will keep you from foolish decisions that will harm your life and on the narrow path of God.
Wisdom is a tool meant to help christians live their life knowing what and how to do things but, it also defends us against the foolish and false ways of the world.