Pastor Jarren Rogers

The Bible talks about wisdom a lot. And when the Bible talks about something frequently is usually means it must be important. 

When God offered Solomon his heart’s desire, anything at all, he chose wisdom. That’s saying something. If Solomon, the Biblical authors, and even God himself cared so much about wisdom, maybe we should too. 

When you embark on a study of wisdom, the first question that arises is always the same: 

How do I get it? 

Our culture tends to speak about wisdom as something that comes with age and maturity. The older you get, the more you experience, the wiser you get. It makes sense, but it’s not particularly Biblical. 

For the writers of the Bible, wisdom was not a result of experience but obedience. Wisdom didn’t begin with you and what you’ve done, but instead with God and what he has done. 

Look at James 1:5 for example:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” 

It doesn’t say, “If you want wisdom, wait about twenty years. You’ll get there.” Instead, it just says, “All you have to do is ask. God wants to give it to you!”

God wants you to be wise. He wants you to make wise choices and run your family with wisdom. Why? Because wisdom honors God. 

Psalm 111, like many psalms, is a psalm of praise. Nine whole verses of worship and remembrance. God is faithful and just and compassionate and trustworthy.

But verse ten takes a hard right turn:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

Why in the world would the psalmist interrupt his praise to talk about wisdom? I think it’s because, to him, the pursuit of wisdom is a form of praise. Living a wise life and asking God for the wisdom you need to make decisions is good stewardship! It shows God that you do not take the breath he’s given you for granted. Instead, you want to use the wisdom he’s given you to live the life he’s calling you to live. 

And, according to the psalmist, wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD. Wisdom originates from our humility and our respect for God’s power. Though we are nothing, through his Spirit, we can find wisdom. 

What a relief to know you do not have live life on your own. You don’t need to make difficult decisions by yourself. You don’t need to be anxious over making the right choice. Instead, God wants to impart wisdom upon you. 

Just fear him. Be humble. And ask. 

That’s good. That’s praise. That’s worshipful.