You can’t find it if you’re not looking.
My mom would tell me this when I was a kid. I’d be trying to find something—well, I’d say I was trying to find something when in reality, I wasn’t. I wanted the easy way out. I wanted my mom to simply tell me where something was because—you know—moms are supposed to know those things.
At least that’s what I thought as a kid.
I wonder how many of us take that same attitude into our spiritual journey with Jesus. We want the “benefits” of being a Christian but we’re not really looking for those things. We’re just wanting Jesus to “zap” it into us.
As I stated at the end of last week’s blog, I’m excited to move back into a season with the Proverbs. Today, we’re turning our attention to Proverbs 2:6.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
New International Version
The source of wisdom is the Lord.
Wisdom does not originate with us. Wisdom is not the collective knowledge of humanity. Wisdom is not our making sense of the world. Wisdom’s genesis is the Lord.
Our wisdom is self-centered and rests in trying “find ourselves”.
When we read Job 28:23-28, we begin to picture how foolish our “wisdom” is.
The Lord created everything we see and experience. Sunrises, sunsets, rain soaking the ground, wind blowing through the trees, colors of Summer giving way to Fall—the Lord created them and the systems governing their actions.
It is from the lips of the One who called forth everything in existence who speaks wisdom to us.
Why in the world would we try to go anywhere else for it?!?
Like a great teacher, the Lord instructs us through His word to impart wisdom to us. Like a parent to a child, the Lord demonstrates how the world works.
He could have had us born with all the wisdom of a 90-year-old from the moment of our birth. He could have created humanity with full independence from others from birth. Instead, the Lord gives us the gift of curiosity. And in His grace, He provides an endless treasure trove of wisdom for us to learn.
Therein lies the lesson of Proverbs 2:6. Acknowledging the Lord is the author of all wisdom is not enough for us. Mere intellectual knowledge was never the Lord’s point for us.
Instead, we seek wisdom. We find wisdom when we find Him. The Lord provides wisdom for our living as His kids.
The half-brother of our Lord Jesus wrote in James 3:13–18:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:13-18
New International Version
I encourage you to pick up a habit starting today and running through the end of the year. Read one chapter of Proverbs corresponding to that day of the month. For example, today is the 2nd day of the month; therefore, read Proverbs 2. Tomorrow is the 3rd day of the month; therefore, read Proverbs 3.
Whether it was toys as a kid or my spiritual strength as an adult, we can’t find what we’re not looking for. Try reading the Proverbs this day through the end of the year and see if the Lord doesn’t grant you the wisdom you seek.
Life Meets Theology 