In 1 Kings 3:12, God tells Solomon—and us too—that He is giving Solomon a wise and discerning heart to the extent that there has never been anyone like him in the past, nor will there be anyone like him in the future. Any which way you slice it, that is quite the approbation to be given.
This week, as we read through Proverbs, we are finding copious evidence that God wasn’t just blowing smoke when He gave that promise. Much of Proverbs is attributed to Solomon, and I find it fascinating to get such an expansive look at the conclusions drawn by the wisest man that has ever lived (and will ever live).
I think most of us would like to be remembered as having been wise. And thankfully, James tells each of us that if we ask for wisdom, God will give it to us (James 1:5). I find it very encouraging to know that God is already on board with that request. It isn’t something that I have to persuade Him into or that I even have to hope that He might see fit to grant me. He is good with giving me wisdom and is ready whenever I come and ask.
I don’t question that this is the case because I see God doing exactly that in Proverbs. He wants us to be wise and to live wisely so he unpacks His wisdom for us extensively in this book. But at the same time, as I read in Proverbs, it is also a reminder to me that much of the wisdom I ask God for has already been given to me in this book and I just need to be more diligent about digging in to find it.
Our church-wide small group series coming up in October is going to revolve around the area of wisdom. I am looking forward to how God will grow all of us in wisdom as we finish reading Proverbs and then Ecclesiastes through our GRIP reading, and subsequently dive right into the “Ask It” series.
Before this turns into a tome, I’ll sign off with one of my favorite pieces of wisdom from Proverbs (and spoiler alert, it is from next week’s reading! Sorry, Darren, if you were going to go there in your blog). Proverbs 19:27 says, “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” Now there are some words to live by!
-Doug Baynton
(Lead Pastor)