Seeking God's Wisdom

Becoming wise isn’t just about growing old and getting smarter. In contrast with foolishness, wisdom is the ability to discern the righteous application of the knowledge you attain. Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom. The fool has said in his heart there is no God.

The wise will flourish by trusting the word of God.

Psalm 1:1-3
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
   follow the advice of the wicked,
   or stand around with sinners,
   or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD,
   meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
   bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
   and they prosper in all they do.

Joshua 1:7-8
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Meditate:
The verb hagag means “to recite quietly; to meditate” and refers to intense study and reflection. To meditate on God’s word means to read God’s word, speak it, reflect upon it, and act accordingly in response to wisdom.

Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

The wicked who disregard the word of God are on the path of destruction.

Psalm 1:4-5
4 But not the wicked!
   They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
   Sinners will have no place among the godly,

Matthew 3:11-12
11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

Psalm 1:6
6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,
   but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Matthew 7:13-14
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."