Everyone would love to be able to say that they are wise. This drive to find wisdom has led its seekers on various paths promising wisdom. The search can feel overwhelming. Job articulated this feeling when he compared wisdom to mining precious metals. “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living” (Job 28:12-13). Others have felt Job’s frustration as they’ve looked unsuccessfully for wisdom in education, isolation, or self-discipline. The problem, however, is not that wisdom cannot be found, but that we look in the wrong places and in the wrong way. Wisdom isn’t found in ourselves, nor is it found by expanding our knowledge or increasing our self-discipline. Wisdom is found in a relationship with God. Proverbs 1-9 is bookended by statements connecting wisdom and knowledge to the fear of the Lord (Pr 1:7; 9:10). Job affirms this by emphasizing that “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. . . . Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:23, 28). This kind of relationship may contrast the way that we want our relationship with God to work. We want a relationship with God that makes us feel good, and many of us do not consider fear to be a good feeling. However, we need fear in order to make our relationship with God possible, for the fear of God is synonymous with faith in God. The fear of the Lord opens our eyes to see wisdom’s path; it opens our ears to hear wisdom’s call; and it opens our hearts to trust in the Lord. It is these benefits that make the fear of the Lord desirable and necessary. And with fear, wisdom will follow. So fear God, find wisdom, and watch as it transforms your life. –Pastor Rory
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: Missions’ Emphasis: Joseph Peal (Wycliffe Global Sign Language Team)
10AM: Pastor Rory–Wisdom’s Beginning–Proverbs 1-9 (sermon notes)
6PM: Missions’ Emphasis: Joseph Peal (Wycliffe Global Sign Language Team)
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