Readings for today: Psalms 148-150, Proverbs 1, 1 Corinthians 11:17-12:11
The world suffers because it lacks wisdom. It lacks understanding. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. No one takes responsibility. There is always someone else to blame. We live in a world where it is hard for people to accept instruction. Hard for people to humble themselves and receive correction. We resort to yelling and screaming and pouting far too easily. We are a fragile and foolish people.
The world is full of challenges. Monumental tasks that cannot be solved by human effort or ingenuity or intellect. The reality is we are not rational creatures. We are far more driven by desire than we like to admit. Far more inclined to selfishness and greed and hatred than we are inclined to acknowledge. Far more susceptible to temptation than we’ll accept. The reality is we are our own worst enemies. Every time we stare in the mirror, we are looking at one of the greatest barriers to progress in our world. We are broken creatures with an innate propensity for self-destruction. Our corrupt nature so often derails any chance we may have at making the world a better place.
What this world needs is wisdom. Godly wisdom. And Solomon tells us if we want such wisdom, there’s only one place to go. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise His wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) God is the fount of all wisdom and understanding. It is God who sees the deep things of this world. God who makes sense of the universe and all that is in it. God who creates order out of our chaos. God who guides us through the maze that is human life. God who is our light in the midst of our darkness. God who is truth in the midst of all the lies. The reality is we live in a world awash with information. Google has given us access to the vast wealth of human knowledge but we don’t know what to do with it. Heck, we can’t even decide what is true or false, good or evil, right or wrong much less integrate that knowledge in any useful way. So if we truly want to make this world a better place. If we truly want to experience the abundant life Jesus promises those who would follow Him, we have to turn to God. We have to trust Him. We have to seek His wisdom above our own.
How often do you pray over the decisions you make? How often do you ask God for wisdom when faced with a difficult situation? How often do you go to God’s Word and rely on His Truth even it conflicts with how you think or feel? If this never happens, then I submit you are trying to live your life apart from God. You are trying to survive based on your own wisdom and strength. And I am here to tell you, it will eventually fail. God promises to grant wisdom to all who follow Him. All who will submit to Him. All who will surrender to Him. The fear of the Lord is truly the beginning of wisdom.
Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 2-4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31