Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
I was about 11 years old. It was Christmas time, and one of the gifts I wanted so badly was a metal detector. Everybody opened their gifts, I thought I had opened all of mine, and all of a sudden my brother comes stumbling into the house with this long, narrow box. He said, "This is for you, Rick." I opened it up—it was a metal detector. I absolutely loved that thing. I put the batteries in, went outside, and used it. It had this “bing, bing” sound, and when it found something metallic underneath it made this high-pitched sound. There was a hole right in the middle of the detector, so I'd dig and find little coins and little pieces of metal. I didn't casually search when it binged like that—I searched because I wanted to find something valuable. Our Verse of the Day today is about searching for wisdom in that way.
It comes from Proverbs chapter 2, verse 6. It says, "For the LORD grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding."
God Is the Source of All Wisdom
Proverbs is really about the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs unpacks the fear of the Lord in short, pithy ways that are really helpful and practical for us. Proverbs chapter 2 sits in a section that is all about crying out for wisdom—not in a casual way, but in a very urgent way.
Very simply, I want to look at a couple of thoughts about wisdom. Number one: God is the source of all wisdom. The text says, "For the LORD grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Wisdom doesn't come naturally to us. I've never thought, I'm just so naturally wise. I can claim stupidity about some things and some bad choices. I have a whole life littered with decisions where I've thought, that was not a good decision, that was a bad decision, that was a dumb decision. Every once in a while I'll make some wise decisions. We need the wisdom that comes from the ultimate source, and that is God Himself.
Number two: Jesus is the aim of our wisdom. Wisdom is ultimately found in a person. God has given us His Word, spoken forth from God, and it is all about the divine person of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's where wisdom ultimately comes from.
Seek Wisdom Like Treasure
What should we do with this? Because wisdom is not just information that stays in your head—it's something we're to think about and apply.
Number one: seek wisdom in Scripture like treasure. I love this story—it's a terrible tragedy, but the history of it is amazing. The Titanic sank, and all kinds of treasure went down with that ship. Very wealthy people unfortunately perished. But with new contraptions and submarines, explorers have gone down and found this amazing, valuable treasure. As valuable as that treasure is at the bottom of the sea, you and I are to search even more urgently for the wisdom found in Jesus Christ and in the Scriptures. Cry out for discernment. Seek for it as you would seek for silver.
Number two: ask God for wisdom. Why? Because the verse says right there, "For the LORD grants wisdom." He gives wisdom to us. James even says if we ask for it, He gives it generously. I wish I did this more consistently, but one thing we should do is pray for wisdom every single day.
Thirdly and finally: show wisdom by turning away from evil, so that you live your life in a wise fashion. Job chapter 28, verse 28 says, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding."
The Ultimate Wisdom
Jesus didn't merely avoid evil, He actually paid for evil, the evil that you've done and I have done, by dying on the cross. God poured out His wrath on all the sin and evil that you and I have committed. That is amazing, amazing grace. Salvation through Jesus is the ultimate in wisdom—receiving forgiveness. Seek Jesus, live for Him, and you will be wise.
