The Necessity for Believers to be Wise and Seek Wisdom with All of Their Hearts, Souls and Minds!

Proverbs 4:7.       Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

And finally the rain’s ended, after a somewhat rainy evening in my area. However,  it’s fairly cloudy with a strong breeze trying to exert its authority over the poor trees. (smile) But that’s God and Mother’s Nature business, and I have no intention of getting between them. (smile) Anyway, as promised yesterday, if God spared our lives to see another wonderful day, we’d continue looking at the wise advice of Cousin Sol in Proverbs, re the unique, but rather contentious quality of Wisdom. And since we’re still alive and kicking, let’s get right into Cousin Sol’s treasure chest of Wisdom. 

Now, the first thing we need to understand is that wisdom is precious, therefore he writes: ‘Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of (gain from) it is better than the merchandise of (profit from) silver, and the gain (profit) thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her (holds her fast).’ (Prov. 3:13-18) 

Wow mih bredrin! What a marvellous thing wisdom is! More profitable than silver and gold, and more precious than jewels or anything else that we can desire! Mama O Mama! Then she controls length of days in one hand, and riches and honour in the other! She brings joy and peace. She’s a tree of life to those who find her, and all who keep her close are exceedingly happy! Now, what a mighty woman is wisdom to be able to do all that! And furthermore: ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down dew.’ (Prov. 3:19-20) 

Oh brother! If the Lord used wisdom and understanding to create the universe, then that just shows how important those two things are! No wonder, Cousin Sol could later declare: ‘Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline (turn it away) from the words of thy mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: LOVE her, and she shall keep thee.’ (Prov. 4:5-6) Yes, Wisdom is surely something else my people! Thus Cousin Sol’s cry: ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’ (Prov. 4:7) 

And Cousin Sol did not just talk the talk, but also walked it. Remember that is exactly what he asked the Lord for when he became king of Israel. ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart (a wise heart) to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?’ (1 Kin. 3:9) Oh friends, the Lord was so thrilled that Cousin Sol did not ask for riches, or long life, or his enemies capitulation, that He gave him what he asked for and a whole lot more; made him both the wisest and richest man ever! (1 Kin. 3:11-13) 

And that’s how the Lord desires that His people approach life; in humility, seeking His advice and being obedient to His Word. And let’s not forget that ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov. 1:7) So we ought not to be foolish and despise wisdom, but voraciously seek it, for as Cousin Sol continues: ‘Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to (place on) thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.’ (Prov. 4:8-9) 

And we all desire those things, but we cannot acquire them unless we listen to and practice these wise and instructive words of Cousin Sol. ‘Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hindered); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction: let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. 

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass by it (do not travel on it), turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except (unless) they have done mischief (evil); and their sleep is taken away (they’re robbed of sleep), unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining (bright) light, that shineth more and mor (ever brighter) unto the perfect day.’ (Prov. 4:10-18) 

And yuh know what friends? There’s nothing in those wise words of advice that we’ve not heard many times over, but still too many of us refuse to follow them. Let’s hope that this time they will encourage some more of us to follow the path of the just, which like a bright light, shines brighter and brighter every day, for that is what our world desperately needs right now since evil is rampant and the men who use it to their advantage are controlling our world, something that we cannot allow to continue, for Christ’s sake! 

And let’s also remember, to help us fight that encroaching evil, the Lord in His exceeding goodness has bestowed on us our undeserved Thursday Blessings. So let’s declare and activate them right now nuh! As one strong and sincere voice! ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

Now, it behooves us to go out and use those blessings to help others just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like do! Much LOVE!

…wisdom dictates that we keep God’s commandments…which are not burdensome…and furthermore…help us to overcome the world…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 June 2020 Proverbs 4:7.

Proverbs 4:7.     Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
 

Friday, Friday Friday! Welcome! We welcome you Friday with open arms and thankful hearts, as you are the harbinger of the end of the work week! Only wish we would greet Monday so enthusiastically, instead of the constant dislike and resentment we display for it. But them’s the breaks, and however we make up our bed, that’s how we have to lie down on it. (smile) That’s just pure ole time wisdom, which, like our great God, never changes. 

So what’s new today eh? Nothing really. Our world is still in a crazy uproar with sickness and racial protests, and the sickness lockdown is being increasingly opened, and people are not being responsible enough, so we should possibly expect another rise in the Covid-19 situation. Ah Lord eh… Mankind is really something else yes! The only creation of God, that has no innate respect for itself, and kills itself willy-nilly, ofttimes just for the fun of it. But enough of my philosophizing, the workingman’s opinion will be much more interesting than that. (smile) 

And as always, he opens with the declaration: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Mama Yo! The weekend is upon we! No more slave labour for two whole, big days! Glory be! But unfortunately we have to mellow down that enthusiasm because of all the crazy stuff that’s currently happening in our world. The pandemic sickness and the pandemic unrest is just too much to bear for this long oui, and if something good, something positive don’t happen soon, the whole thing just going to blow up in we face yes! The whole thing is just so confusing…and yuh can’t find no truth, or what seems like truth anyway, no consistency in either situation. 

Steups! Everybody spouting some different story which only leading to more panic and dissatisfaction! The leaders and them either not telling we the truth about either situation, or just spinning it for their advantage. But I guess that’s what leaders do to protect their turf. This is one time though, I think that if leaders doh come out with a unified message, plenty ah dem soon won’t have no turf to protect. But what I know eh – a poor, lowly, workingman, still slaving for a living, still trying to make two ends meet in his middle age eh? All I can say is thank God for Fridays and weekends yes, when I can rest mih spirit and mih soul!’ 

Oh friends, the ordinary workingman might not be the brightest bulb in the room, but he certainly does have common sense, something that’s seems to be exceedingly rare these days, if not totally extinct! But these monumental and awesome and truthful words of Cousin Sol, found in the Good Book are right now staring me in the face. ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’ (Prov. 4:7) 

Now why should we do that eh? Cousin Sol gives us these reasons. ‘Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to (place on) thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.’ (Prov. 7:8-9) Oh friends, who doesn’t want promotion and honour and grace and a crown of glory eh? All of us do! But the only way to get them and have them last is by seeking and finding wisdom! 

And furthermore, Cousin Sol tells us: ‘Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding: for the merchandise (gain) of it is better than the merchandise (profit) of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her (holds her fast).’ (Prov. 3:13-8) 

And now, blessedly, many of us are dying to find wisdom because of all the good things it brings, and are clamouring about where to find it? (smile) Don’t worry friends, listen to James, Jesus’ brother. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him.’ (James 1:5) Yes friends true wisdom comes from Almighty God and nowhere else! But as James also says, we must ask in faith, not wavering, not doubtful and wishy-washy, for God doesn’t give it to that kind of people. ‘For a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:6-8) 

And just to show how important wisdom and understanding are, let us go back to Cousin Sol, as he declares (steups!) this awesome truth: ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down dew.’ (Prov. 3:19-20) So you see friends that wisdom and understanding are ever so important that God Himself used them to create the world, and still uses them to keep it together! 

That brings us to our Friday Chant, our prayer for mercy and grace, wisdom and understanding.  As one loud and sincere voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. It’s been pretty rough…some of it from work, as many of us are now back to work in varied ways, but most of our anxiety still comes from all the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus still causing. We not accustomed to that Lord, and it really telling on us. And now, on top of all that, we have racial riots and protests to put up with. Oh Lord, yuh know we can’t handle it on our own and desperately need Your help. 

Yes, heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. 

And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

Yes friends, we now need to show that we are indeed true believers! That’s the long and short of the story! Much LOVE!

…sincerely seek God…and you’ll find…wisdom and understanding…