Life has changed for many of us; so we must change in how we perceive the things before us each day by embracing the true wisdom of God. By God’s decree, worldly wisdom has been rendered worthless. Unredeemed humanity has lost true common sense and has become even more blinded by evil. However, this is the time for the children of Light to shine in the darkness. Be courageous…God is with us!
There is nothing eternal about the scope of worldly wisdom. I need much, much more than a temporary fix these days. Actually, every day we should be searching for godly wisdom. We don’t need to search far; for our benefit God has connected us to Christ and made him to be wisdom itself (1 Cor 1:30). I am so grateful to have my connection to Christ! What would we do in this chaotic mess without Jesus—our living HOPE?
Today, our Scripture reading comes from the Book of Job [Wisdom Literature]—Job is a righteous man of integrity and prosperity. One day Job is doing really well and life is good; the next day he faces one disaster after another that tests his faith. Job begins to deeply suffer in spirit, soul, and body. Why? Unbeknown by Job, Satan wants to prove to God that Job will stop being a righteous worshiper [obediently honor the authority] of the Most High if God temporarily ceases to protect and bless him (Job 1:11). The biggest test we will ever face will be the temptation to curse God and cease our worship of him when we do not understand the challenges we face. We must remain faithful and reveal Christ!
In our passage today, Job’s witness reminds us we cannot seek divine wisdom through human effort. We must learn to look at life the way God sees it; in wholeness. Addressing suffering through panic is fruitless. We cannot see or hear divine wisdom without choosing to remain in peace. We cannot discern truth over lies unless we remain in God’s integrity. We must forsake evil and the work of Satan. God can be trusted to restore us even when he allows our faith to be tested.
Pain is ever present and no one is exempt from suffering—even the righteous. However, our relationship with God is enough to keep us grounded in hope, filled with peace, and overshadowed with his never-failing divine love. Life is really all about perspective. How we view things matters. Let’s ask for Wisdom [Christ] and his perspective [Way, Truth, and Life] of God’s Kingdom as we move forward each day. Rejoice, because Jesus in on the throne!
Job 28:12-28 NLT
12
“But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?
13
No one knows where to find it,
for it is not found among the living.
14
‘It is not here,’ says the ocean.
‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea.
15
It cannot be bought with gold.
It cannot be purchased with silver.
16
It’s worth more than all the gold of Ophir,
greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17
Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal.
It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.
18
Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it.
The price of wisdom is far above rubies.
19
Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it.
It’s worth more than the purest gold.
20
“But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?
21
It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity.
Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.
22
Destruction and Death say,
‘We’ve heard only rumors of where wisdom can be found.’
23
“God alone understands the way to wisdom;
he knows where it can be found,
24
for he looks throughout the whole earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25
He decided how hard the winds should blow
and how much rain should fall.
26
He made the laws for the rain
and laid out a path for the lightning.
27
Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it.
He set it in place and examined it thoroughly.
28
And this is what he says to all humanity:
‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
to forsake evil is real understanding.’”
Prayer: Father, your children cry out for divine wisdom, because we need your perspective to move forward through the present challenges of life. Thank you for knowing all things and for giving us Jesus who leads us in the way we should go. We are listening and seeking in all we do, because we know this world is void of genuine wisdom. We worship you and bow down to your authority today, as well as every day that will follow. We confess our past sins against your wisdom. We thank you for your forgiveness and miraculous restoring grace. Make us strong and courageous in Christ our King. Holy Spirit, please keep us following and focused on the Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.