Life Ministries

    In my NIV introduction to the Book of Proverbs it says this; “The Jews often speak of the Old Testament as the “Law”, the Prophets, and the Writings. Included within the “Writings” are Psalms, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. These are also called the “wisdom” books.  Whereas the priests and prophets dealt more with the religious side of life, the so called “wise men”… the sages and teachers of the law…dealt with practical and philosophical matters….So, one might say that wisdom is not only to be found in knowledge, but also in common sense, the practical, everyday matters. It has been said that many people are “knowledgeable” but have no common sense… They can quote from the greatest books, but can’t change a light bulb!

    J.I. Packer, a well known author, says that “Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal…together with the means of attaining it”. As such, wisdom finds it’s fullness only in God.  The reason is because human wisdom can be frustrated by circumstantial factors that are outside of the wisest person’s control. God’s wisdom, however, cannot be frustrated because of it’s alliance with His omniscient, omnipotent, power.  Infinite power guided by infinite wisdom…Infinite wisdom attainable by infinite power. This is God’s character as described in scripture; (Job 9:4) - “His wisdom is profound, His power is vast” (Job 12:13) - “He is mighty in power and in wisdom” (Daniel 2:20) - “Wisdom and power are His” (Romans 16:25-27) “Now, to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, God only wise…”   Listen, wisdom without power would be pathetic; Power without wisdom is just plain frightening!  But, in God, absolute power and absolute wisdom are united…and, that makes Him worthy of our trust and faith.