How do we get wisdom?
What is the difference between a zealously discerning person and a dismissively uncomprehending one? The zealously discerning person is very eager to gain wisdom. “My son, pay attention to my words and remember my commandments. Listen to wisdom and try to understand it with your heart. Ask for understanding and insight, and seek them as you would seek silver or search for hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to respect the Lord and you will gain the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Spr 2,1-6)He has a strong desire to possess the treasure. Day and night he dreams of his goal and dedicates everything to it. This wisdom he so longs for is truly Jesus Christ. "It is only God who makes it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus, whom he has made wisdom." (1. Kor 1,30)The wise person is driven by a fervent longing for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which he desires more than anything else in the world. The unwise person represents the exact opposite.
In Proverbs, Solomon reveals a fundamental characteristic of the wise, which can have far-reaching effects on your life if you apply it: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” (Spr 3,5)The Hebrew word "verlassen" (to leave) literally means "to settle down completely." When you go to bed at night, you lie down on your mattress, thereby transferring your entire weight onto the bed. You don't spend the whole night with one foot on the floor or with half your upper body outside your bed. Rather, you stretch your entire body out on the bed and trust that it will support you. If, however, you don't transfer your entire weight onto it, you will never find rest. The use of the term "heart" makes this even clearer. In the Bible, the heart represents the center or source of our motivation, our desires, interests, and inclinations. Your heart determines what your mouth says. (Mt 12,34), what you feel (Ps 37,4)...and what you do (Spr 4,23)Contrary to your outward appearance, it reflects your true self. Your heart is your self, your true, innermost self.
Without reservations
The statement, "to rely on the Lord with all one's heart," means placing one's life unconditionally in God's hands. The wise person trusts God with all their heart. No area of life is left out or only half-heartedly considered. They do not trust God conditionally, but unconditionally. Their heart belongs to Him completely. In this context, one can also speak of being pure of heart: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Mt 5,8)"Pure" means something like "purified," separated from foreign substances and therefore unadulterated. If you come across an advertisement in a grocery store that says "100% honey," it means that the honey is free of other ingredients. It is pure honey. The wise person thus entrusts themselves to God without reservation, placing all their present and future hopes on Him and thereby experiencing security and safety. The unwise person, however, behaves differently.
Read the pointed yet thought-provoking words of Wilbur Rees, with which he presents the life view of the foolish as concisely as he is original: «I would like a share in God worth three dollars; not so much as to upset my mental life or keep me awake, but still equivalent to a cup of warm milk or a nap in the sun. What I want is rapture and not change; I want to feel the warmth of the body, but no rebirth. I'd like a pound of eternity in a paper bag. I'd like a $3 share of God."
The motives of a foolish person are ambivalent, that is, ambiguous, ambiguous, "contradictory in themselves", unfair - and therefore not genuine. For example, the ignorant loves other people only if they make him happy. The whole world revolves around him, and therefore everything must be for his good. He may like you or love you, but his affection will never be XNUMX% for you. Rather, it will obey the principle: what's in it for me? He can never fully entrust himself to another person - and neither can God. He becomes a Christian so that his guilt may be relieved, healed, or financial difficulties overcome. A sensible person is absolutely opposed to this stupid, egocentric approach to life. But how can we trust God with all our hearts?
Don't be guided by feelings
Make a wise decision to trust in God with all your heart. There will be times when you feel the Almighty doesn't love you, that life is complicated, and that your current situation is devastating. There will be tearful times of bitter worry and regret. But King Solomon warns us: "Do not rely on your own understanding." (Spr 3,5)Don't rely on your own judgment. It is always limited and sometimes leads you astray. Don't let your feelings guide you; they can be deceptive. The prophet Jeremiah said: "Lord, I see that man does not control his own destiny; he is not the one who determines his own course." (Jer 10,23).
Ultimately, we decide how we think, how we look at life and how we talk about it. When we choose to trust God in all circumstances, our choice is consistent with our attitude toward Him and the actual image of ourselves as children of God experiencing forgiveness and unconditional love. When we believe that the Almighty is love and that he guides us through our lives in his perfect, unconditional love, it means that we trust him in every situation.
In fact, only God alone can give you a heart wholly devoted to Him: “Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, Lord my God, with my whole heart; I will honor Your name forever.” (Ps 86,11-12)On the one hand, we ask him for this, on the other hand, we are to purify our hearts: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and sanctify your hearts, you double-minded.” (Jak 4,8)In other words, you should resolve to undergo spiritual conversion. Align your heart correctly, and your life will unfold rightly without any effort on your part.
Are you ready to surrender your whole life into God's hands? Easier said than done, but don't be discouraged! But I'm so lacking in faith, we argue. God understands. It's a learning process. The good news is that He accepts and loves us just as we are - with all our confused motives. And if we can't trust him with all our hearts, he still loves us. That's wonderful?
So start right away by putting your trust in Jesus? Let him participate fully in your daily life. Let Jesus guide you in every area of your life. He may be speaking to you right now: I mean it. All of this is actually true. I love you. If you dare a little bit of trust, I will prove myself trustworthy to you. Do you do it now? “The discerning person trusts in God with all his heart!”
by Gordon Green
