Wisdom

What Would I Have Asked For?

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In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him,
“Ask what I shall give thee.”
And Solomon said unto God, “Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let Thy promise unto David my father be established: for Thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this Thy people, that is so great?” And God said to Solomon,
“Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”
2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Solomon is now the king of all Israel. God came to Solomon, and said, basically, “Ask Me for anything,” I believe it was a test of his character, his heart.

What would I have asked for? Solomon was probably a very young man. We are not told anywhere I can find where we are told his age, at the time he became the king. As a young man of 18 through 30 or so, I am not so sure that I would not have asked for God to make me wealthy. I know in my heart, and I knew then, that wisdom and knowledge were two of the greatest things you could ask God for. Now, I no longer want to be wealthy. That would be a trap for the ruin of my family,  and my life.

Solomon was wise before God even gave him this offer. He had a large task ahead of him as the king of Israel, judging the people, and leading them in the way of the LORD God, and building the temple, which his father David had planned and designed.

Over the years, I am now 70 years of age, I have asked God many times for wisdom and knowledge,  and God has met our needs, and I look back at my twenty or so years, and I can see I am much wiser than I was back then, and I pray more knowledgeable at least in the ways of the Lord,  and His word.

God answered Solomon’s request, and gave him more than what he asked for. God gave Solomon wisdom and knowledge. He also gave him great wealth, and honor before kings. Solomon, even as wise as he was, was not a perfect, nor a sinless man. He is believed to have been the human author of Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and many of the Proverbs in that book of wisdom.

There is a great need in today’s world for godly wisdom. There is much earthly wisdom that is foolish in God’s eyes. Earthly wisdom is like, “Grab all you can, while you can,” “Do unto others before they do unto you,” “My golden rule is that he who has the gold makes the rules,  and such frivolity as that. While the wisdom of the God who has made all things, says, “Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” He also says, “Love your neighbor as you do yourself,” and to “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all His righteousness.”

The wisdom of the world says, “I have no sin that needs forgiveness.”  The word of God and wisdom says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

I have chosen to believe and live for God and His word and wisdom, and shun the world and its so called wisdom. I have done that by turning from my sin to Christ Jesus; who died on the cross for our sins, was buried and He rose again; and have confessed that He is Lord and thoroughly believe that He rose from the dead. Now I have assurance that I will be with Him forever.

Will you join me? Call on His name and be saved from sin, death, and hell.

The Way Of Righteousness

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I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.  By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Proverbs 8:12-21

Wisdom and Death

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Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.  Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.  Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.  For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Proverbs 8-32-26

Wisdom and Understanding

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Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Proverbs 3:13-18

Wisdom and Evil

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And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.  And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.  And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4:29-34

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Psalm 37:1-2

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Proverbs 8:12-14

The greatest and wisest of men, is the Man Christ Jesus who died for our sins, was buried , and rose again.

He is the One who gave Solomon wisdom. Jesus is the One who will put and end to all evil. He is coming again.

My prayer for you today is that you be in a Bible believing church, with a Bible preaching preacher, and that if you have not gone to worship with others for awhile, that you will begin Sunday, April 9, 2023; that is Resurrection Sunday.

Of course for the Christian every Sunday  is Resurrection Sunday.

GOD’S Loving Kindness and His Song

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Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8

THOUGHTS FROM WISDOM: “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.”
Proverbs 9:1-2

The Wicked, The Righteous, and Wisdom

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For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Psalm 37:28-31

WORDS FROM WISDOM: “Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.”
Proverbs 8:6-9

…The LORD will hear when I call unto Him

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But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him.
Psalm 4:3

Wisdom says, “…Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”
Proverbs 1:23

Pillar of Cloud and Fire

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And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said,
“Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:”
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.”
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 13:17-22

So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.
Psalm 102:15-16

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30

The Mouth of the Righteous

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And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, “Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.  Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.  And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; and give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.” And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
Genesis 28:1-5

The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted.
Psalm 47:9

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Proverbs 10:11-14

Our Protector and Our Reward

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After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
Genesis 15:1

Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way.  The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Psalm 25:8-10

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2

Grace, Honor, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding

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And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.  And the LORD said,
“I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.”
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 6:5-8

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; if I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
Psalm 7:3-5

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6

The Vanity of Worldly Wisdom

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Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”  And again, “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
1 Corinthians 3:18-20

Christ the Power of God

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For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:21-24

Jesus, Anger, and the Sabbath

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“And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand,
‘Stand forth.’
And He saith unto them,
‘Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?’
But they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man,
‘Stretch forth thine hand.’
And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”   Mark 3:1-5

The skill and wisdom of Jesus always amazes me. The way He challenges His challengers; the hostile challengers; of His words and life is truly awesome. Just because someone does not like what He says or does, does not deter Him from going ahead and doing what He was going to do in the first place; and He does it with authority and power.

I always take note of verses, also that tell of Jesus having anger, and of those where the word is not used, but also where He displays anger; for instance the two times He drives the money changers out of the Temple with a whip He made Himself. They had defiled His house.

Anger is not always a bad emotion. What makes you angry? That guy or gal that cut you off in traffic? That one in the check-out at Walmart that was rude and nasty to the associated checking them out? Is that really a good anger? Not at all. If it makes us angry to see someone rudely treated, then let’s compliment the one that was just treated that way.

Jesus had earlier in chapter 2 of Mark said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. I suppose that is for all the laws of God. They are given to aid and to help us realize our evil plight in life, not to provide hindrances for good deeds.

When we come to Jesus, trusting Him as our Lord and Savior all the law is fulfilled in Him. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). It was provided for us by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Call on the name of the Lord Jesus, believing that God has raised Him from the dead, and you shall be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Remember This

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“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”  Matthew 24:35

There is peace of heart and mind in knowing and always remembering that every word of God which He has spoken; whether it be through the prophets, the Law, the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament; all will be fulfilled.

Also, every word spoken by the Son of God, His 13 apostles, and the other New Testament Scriptures will also be fulfilled. Not a single word which He has spoken shall fail.

There is only peace with God and rest in Him through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Call on His name in repentant faith, and receive Him.

Speaking with Wisdom from Knowledge

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“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”  Proverbs 17:27

“And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”  Acts 6:10

In the fifty five years that I have been a born again believer in Jesus Christ I have learned this one thing; “The more I know, the more I realize that I do not know”.

I pray that I will increase in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and that all those who are born again through the blood of Jesus Christ have the same.

I pray that when we speak that we speak with wisdom and grace. That we will realize that all who hear us when we speak with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in the grace and mercy of God through the Spirit of God will be recognized as being from God; but that some will hate us for it. Yet some will receive it and lives will be changed.

Join with me in praying daily for the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Wisdom, the Heart and the Kingdom

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“Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.”  Proverbs 14:33
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, ‘Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them,
‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ ”  Acts 1:6-8

Ask for the Lord’s wisdom and understanding that we who are redeemed might be faithful to Him and His will, His way, and His word.

Let us also pray for the zeal and diligence in telling others of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins, His burial – taking our sins away, and His resurrection through which we are justified by God forever.

Let us also keep in mind and heart that He will come again for those who “Love His appearing”.

The Mouth and The Scripture

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“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”  Proverbs 13:3
“They said therefore among themselves, ‘Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be’, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, ‘They parted My raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast lots.’ These things therefore the soldiers did.”  John 19:24
“For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘A bone of him shall not be broken.’ And again another Scripture saith, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced.’ ”  John 19:36-37

Let us all pray for the wise use of our mouth and lips; especially in this day when people are spouting all kinds of vulgar, mean, and rude things; and in doing so show no respect for our fellow member of Adam’s race.

Let us rather speak words that will glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who loved us so much, as God Incarnate, laid down His life on the cross and died for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. In doing this thing of grace He fulfilled Scripture. There is no better thing we can do that tell others that “Jesus died for our sins…”.

Wisdom and Understanding Hearing the Words of Jesus

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“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10
“He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”   John 12:48

Let those who have heard the words of Jesus Christ believing and receiving Him continue in the wisdom of Jesus Christ and the Father; in holiness.

May those who have not yet believed and received Him, hear Him today, believe and receive Him by grace through faith in the finished word of His atoning death on the cross, His burial, and bodily resurrection.

Words of Wisdom

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“Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”  Proverbs 8:10-11
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

We need to ask wisdom for those who are lost and perishing in sin so that they might hear the words of Truth which our Lord speaks and that they will hear and believe unto salvation.

Consider the Ant; Abiding in the Word

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“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”  Proverbs 6:6-8
“And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape. And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not.”  John 5:37-38

The LORD of all creation has given us the ant, and all of heaven and earth, to learn from them. Let us pray for wisdom to acknowledge and learn from them.

May we also pray that we will not be sluggards in being students, avid students and disciples of the word of God. It would be a sad thing to hear the Lord say to us one day “…You have not His word abiding in you”.

Discretion and Knowledge; Sowing and Reaping

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“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.”  Proverbs 5:1-2
“Say not ye, ‘There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?’ Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, ‘One soweth, and another reapeth.’
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”  John 4:35-38

We need to ask the Lord to give us always the heart and mind for sound judgment; that requires wisdom, understanding and knowledge. That also requires us listening to others – even those we disagree with on certain things that we might grow in knowledge.

Since Jesus tells us that the harvest is already ready, then we need to see the great need for telling the lost and the condemned and the perishing that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God gave His life on the cross for our sins, He was buried carrying away all our sin, guilt and condemnation, then He rose and came out of that grave alive justifying those who will believe, forever. O what a glorious harvest Jesus is reaping.

Get Wisdom; He Who Made the World

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“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.”  Proverbs 4:5-6
“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:10-11

We do need wisdom, especially for the war of the culture, the spiritual battles that we face where good has been declared evil; and evil has been declared as good.

We also need to return to the One who has made all things; to believe Him and to trust that He went to the cross, died for the sins of the world, was buried and He rose up bodily and came alive out of that grave, and He forever lives. May we be ever diligent and faithful to the One who gives us His grace; His name is Jesus Christ. There is no other Savior.

Wisdom; Preparation

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The following verses are from my Scripture reading for today. Please note that our Lord Jesus Christ called on us to pray.

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”  Proverbs 2:6
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  Luke 21:34-36

Grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God through the reading, study, application, and living the word of God.