Principles of wisdom.

“Have no fear”. ( vs. 25-26) The words of Christ himself many times over were “fear not”. The words of the angels were always “fear not”; How or why can we fear not? Because God is for us, God is with us, and His law is right and just!

    What kinds of things do we fear in life? If we didn’t have anything in our life that troubled us - our human nature would trust in self. God desires that we trust in Him. I think our greatest fears in life come from those things that we have no control over! And, maybe that’s a good thing because we can overcome our fears by having faith in the one who can control things! When I use the word fear I mean all levels of fear from general apprehension and worry to dread and terror.

    Fear starts out when we are very young with fears of things like darkness, monsters, etc. and it continues into our teenage years with fears of things like rejection, humiliation and failure. But, Adulthood is also filled with possible fears such as fear of disease, death, financial problems, broken relationships, loved ones being hurt, storms, failure, aging, crime, etc.

    Focus on God And “Fear Not” - This is the consistent message of the Bible regarding fear. For example when Peter Walked on the water Peter’s fear got the victory only when he lost his focus on Jesus. In Isaiah 26: 3 God has said "I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in me, who thoughts are fixed on me!" We also see the same idea and Philippians 4: 6-7 which says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

    There will be times when anxiety and fear will come into our lives, it is then that we have a choice to make - we can choose to focus on the problem and be overcome with fear or we can choose to focus on God; knowing He will be at our side.

Psalm 27 says:

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? (compared to darkness and feeling lost) The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (compared to my own strength, wealth, or power) When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. (Why? Because God is my protector.)  One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. ( A good thing to do when we are afraid.) Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.  Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother (or anyone else) forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (The best thing we can do!)

 

Part 5 – Principles of wisdom

“Search diligently for wisdom”. (Chapter 3 vs. 13-24) Read of all the benefits;

*more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

*nothing you desire can compare with her.

*Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

*all her paths are peace.

*all who hold her fast will be blessed.

*you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

*When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be   

  sweet.

    Allow me to use the analogy of a farmer with a tractor in the field; He must have the right equipment- (you don’t plow with a hay rake!) He needs the right materials; He must know what to do and what not to do with it; He must know how and when to use it and when not to use it.

    Wisdom has two distinct characteristics: one is “information” the other is “know how”.  In these verses we read - 13-20 deal with knowledge, learning, information, data, facts, and experience. Verses 21-24 deal with perception, discernment, judgment, reason, and insight…or just plain old “common sense”.

    So, let’s look at the words “search diligently”. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “search” means; “to look through carefully in order to find something lost; to examine carefully in order to find something concealed;” The second part certainly applies to God’s Word or Bible study.

    I know you have all been in the type of situation I have found myself in several times; which involves not being able to find something when I need it! I look everywhere; in the drawers, in the cabinets, through the closet, searching clothes pockets, it’s so frustrating! I know right where I put it! Right? That drives me bonkers! However, we have not lost the Word of God; we have the wisdom of God right here all the time. We are talking more about searching diligently, or examining carefully, in order to find something – contained – but not necessarily concealed in the Word.

    The word “diligently” is described as “a constant, persistent, effort”. Not a once in a while – when I might need it – effort; not a once a month or even once a week, but an everyday, persistent, effort to gain wisdom and understanding! To quote my own book “Show and Tell” – “the more we know, the more it will show!” When I was called into the ministry by God, I spent literally hours and days reading books, listening to tapes, going to seminars, taking classes, taking notes, and ingesting as much as I could in my finite brain. I truly had a hunger for the Word of God, and a passion to teach others. However, you don’t have to be called into full-time ministry to have this same diligent passion.

    “A man reaps what he sows.” The peculiar thing about this is that it is a promise and a warning at the same time. Life’s choices are filled with consequences good and bad, temporary and eternal, according to what is sown. I have found that there are really two parts to the law of the harvest; one part says we reap more than we sow – which has to do with God’s part, or what God does with our seed; the other is we reap in proportion to what we sow – that’s our part. I can also note that scripture also points out our attitude in sowing as well by using words such as “grudgingly, reluctantly, or under compulsion”… for “God loves a cheerful giver.”

    The world’s philosophy and God’s wisdom are typically just the opposite. The world says “get all you can, can all you get, and then sit on the can!” This was the philosophy of the man who received one talent; this was the philosophy of the man who reaped a large harvest and decided to build bigger barns rather than share with those in need. In contrast to this, the believer sows to glorify God and bless others.    

    If you read on in 2 Corinthians 9 it says “Now he who supplies seed to the sower”… Where does the seed come from? (Remember we are not just talking about money. These laws are universal and apply to every area of life.) It says that God not only supplies the seed, but he also “will supply and increase your store of seed so you can be generous on every occasion.” Remember the story of the fish and the loaves? Not only did everyone eat, but there were twelve baskets left over!

    The kind of seed we sow, the attitude in which we sow, and the measure by which we sow, will all determine the outcome or the harvest. The increase, which is God’s part, will always be in proportion to what we do with what he gives us. Once again, if you look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, you will see this law of the harvest in action. I can’t say it enough; the laws of the harvest are universal! You may not think you have much love to give, but what are you doing with the love you have? You may not think you have much talent, but what are you doing with the talent you have? You may not have much knowledge, but what are you doing with the knowledge you have?

    The laws of the harvest are one explanation of the generation gap. The younger generation wants to “sow their wild oats” and have fun, take chances, and live life with reckless abandon. The older generation is reaping the consequences of doing just that when they were young, and now they are trying to warn the young, and nobody listens. I am glad however, that the laws work both ways because many of us older generation are reaping the good harvest of the good seeds our parents and grandparents have planted over the years.

    The fact that we reap more than we sow can be seen in many ways, but especially in a physical garden. One kernel of corn will produce many kernels of corn; one bean seed can produce hundreds of beans, and so on. There is an old saying that we can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed. We may sow the seed of love or knowledge or compasssion into a child, and only God knows how many lives may be changed because of what was sown. There are so many examples of this it would take another book!

    Proverbs 11:24 says “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed!” My friends, we can’t do anything about last year’s harvest– or yesterday’s harvest – but we can do something about tomorrows harvest!