Wisdom From Above

This morning I read Job 28 and was greatly blessed by the practical insight.  Job describes how veins of gold, silver, iron, and precious stones are found through mining.  Then he makes a spiritual contrast in Job 28:12-15:  "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. ¹⁴ The deep says, ' It is not in me'; and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' ¹⁵ It cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price."  True wisdom is not found by digging in the ground, space exploration, deep-sea diving, nor is it for sale.  The wisdom of God is not obtained through any effort of man, but by the grace of God.

Some believe that wisdom is obtained through life experience or by acquiring degrees as prestigious universities.  There is a kind of wisdom that is found on earth, but it is a false substitute for what God calls wisdom.  James 3:15 describes the wisdom of the world in simple, straightforward terms:  "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic."  No doubt this sounds unreasonably harsh to those who define wisdom from a worldly perspective.  Yet see how God's wisdom is described in James 3:17:  "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."  We see this description personified in God Himself.  He demonstrates all these qualities in His love, mercy, and grace towards men.

Consider the catch-phrases of modern philosophy and worldly wisdom:  "Might makes right," "Survival of the fittest," "Look out for number one," "If it feels good do it," "God is dead," and much more.  Dig as deep you can for wisdom in tradition, religion, technology, scientific advancement, and philosophies composed by men and you will come up empty.  Drown yourself in music, art, sex, parties, alcohol, drugs, and your search for wisdom will be fruitless.  Visit trance mediums, chant, meditate, and religiously follow your horoscope - yet instead of wisdom you will find fear, bondage, and confusion.  Fill your library with all the self-help books written and you will still lack.  Live to be 120 years old without faith in God and true wisdom will still prove elusive.  The wisdom of God will never be within you unless you are first within Him.  Concerning wisdom and God Job 28:27-28 states:  "Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. ²⁸ And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding."  This kind of wisdom is not simply a means to aid survival, but the path to life eternal.

Still not convinced?  My words cannot convince any who refuse to consider without prejudice that God does exist, and the Bible is His word written so man might know Him.  In fact, it is only the power of the Holy Spirit who can reveal this truth to you.  Jesus Christ is the personification of wisdom and more still as it is written in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31:  "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- ³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."  Broad is the path which leads to destruction, and narrow is the path which leads to eternal life.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one can be truly wise or obtain eternal life except through Him.