We know that when God asked Solomon what he wanted, he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people. Years later he writes the book of Proverbs to his son sharing both the wisdom God gave him and that his father gave him. In chapter 4 verse 7 he says, “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]” (AMP). He’s telling us that we all need wisdom more than knowledge or information. The problem is that we normally get wisdom right after we need it.
I love that he says to get skillful and godly wisdom because it’s the most important. I constantly pray for wisdom according to James 1:5. I want wisdom from God especially when I don’t know what to do. Godly wisdom is being able to choose the things that align with God’s plan and design for your life. It is choosing what is best and what will yield the most fruit. More than just knowing what the right choices and ways to live are, wisdom puts those into action. We can know what’s right and not do it. This kind of wisdom is found in application as much as it is in the knowledge of it.
Next he says as you look around at all the things in life you want to acquire, get understanding too. We live in an age of mass deception. It’s hard to know what is real and what is fake. The kind of understanding we need involves spiritual discernment. It gives us the ability to see beneath the surface of things. It’s more than just wisdom. It’s insight that helps us see the truth. We need this today more than ever. If wisdom is knowing what to do, understanding is knowing why it matters and how it fits into God’s plan. God offers both to us by asking for them and through reading His Word. Take time each day to seek both of these.
Photo by RITESH SINGH on Pexels.
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 