VIDEO Eternal Wisdom

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 1 Corinthians 2:6

In the third century B.C., Alexandria, Egypt, was the intellectual capital of the world. This was due in no small part to the Great Library of Alexandria which housed upwards of four hundred thousand scrolls. By the time of Christ, the library had deteriorated and been partially destroyed by fire—with its ancient wisdom lost.

While it is a shame that such a prodigious amount of intellectual achievement did not survive, the loss of the library and its contents is a metaphor for “the world’s wisdom.” The wisdom of man rises and falls with the ages. That truth is compared to the wisdom of God “which God ordained before the ages for our glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7). Another way of saying it is: Truth never changes. The truth about God, His creation, and His purposes existed “before the ages.” We are now the beneficiaries not of wisdom compiled in a certain age, but of wisdom that existed before all the ages.

If you would be wise, seek the wisdom found in God and His Word—wisdom which abides forever (Isaiah 40:8).

The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord, in every star Thy wisdom shines. Isaac Watts

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God’s True and Complete Revelation (1 Corinthians 2:6-16)

The Kindness of Candor

The pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9

“My dear friend, sometimes you sound holier than you really are.”

Those words were leveled with a direct gaze and gentle smile. Had they come from someone other than a close friend and mentor whose discernment I highly valued, my feelings might have been hurt. Instead, I winced and laughed at the same time, knowing that while his words “hit a nerve,” he was also right. Sometimes when I talked about my faith, I used jargon that didn’t sound natural, which gave the impression that I wasn’t being sincere. My friend loved me and was trying to help me be more effective in sharing with others what I genuinely believed. Looking back, I see it as some of the best advice I ever received.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted,” Solomon wisely wrote, “but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6). My friend’s insights demonstrated the truth of that counsel. I was grateful he cared enough to tell me something I needed to hear, even though he knew it might not be easy to accept. Sometimes when someone tells you only what they think you want to hear, it isn’t helpful, because it can keep you from growing and developing in vital ways.   

Candor can be kindness when measured out with genuine, humble love. May God give us the wisdom to receive it and impart it well, and so reflect His caring heart.

By:  James Banks

Reflect & Pray

Why is it difficult for us to sometimes receive good but hard advice? How has someone been candid with you in a helpful and loving way?

Abba, Father, thank You for speaking truth to me through Scripture. Please help me to receive and give advice well by relying on You to lead me.

Molded by the Master

Because God loves us, we can trust how He wants to shape our lives.

Isaiah 45:5-9

There are several Scripture passages that liken God to a potter and us to clay. It’s the Creator’s right to transform and shape His children’s lives as He sees fit, and He is conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). In other words, He is helping us not conform to the world or give in to our former lusts (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:14).

The problem arises when we don’t like the molding process. Then we argue with our Potter and complain about the difficulties and afflictions that sometimes result when He shapes us. Isaiah 45:9 puts it this way: “Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’” Our part as clay is to remain pliable and submit to the Lord’s purposes—not to let parts of our life toughen and resist His attempts to shape us.

God will work to remove those hard lumps so He can form us into vessels that are useful and pleasing to Him. Our responsibility is to accept any changes from the Master Potter. We can do this confidently because we are in His competent, skillful, and loving hands. And that is the safest and most satisfying place we can be.

Sowing Continually

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

In the Bible, the common occupation of sowing seed is frequently used as a symbol of witnessing for the Lord. Unlike an actual farmer, however, Christian seed-sowers are to engage in their occupation perpetually, day after day, morning and evening, everywhere they go. “Cast thy bread upon the waters,” the wise preacher said, “for thou shalt find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). The sowing is often difficult but is necessary before the fruit can grow, and the promise is that “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5).

Often others may reap the fruit of our seed-sowing labors (or we may reap the fruit of theirs), but that is all right, for Christ Himself said that “one soweth, and another reapeth” so that “both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together” (John 4:37, 36). Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Some seed, faithfully sown, may not seem to grow at all. In Christ’s great parable of the sower, much of the seed fell by the wayside or on rocky or weed-infested ground, but “other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit” (Matthew 13:8). It is our job to be sure that the seed we sow is good seed, wherever we go—by word, by life, by giving, by listening, by our very presence, by praying, by whatever we say or do or even think—and then to trust God to bring forth the fruit according to His own perfect will.

“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters” (Isaiah 32:20). Therefore, “in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening,” and God will prosper our faithfulness in His own good way and time. HMM

High Plans for Humans

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him. —Deuteronomy 13:4

When the wonder of regeneration has taken place in our lives, then comes the lifetime of preparation with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God has told us that heaven and the glories of the heavenly kingdom are more than humans can ever dream or imagine. It will be neither an exhibition of the commonplace nor a democracy for the spiritually mediocre.

Why should we try to be detractors of God’s gracious and rewarding plan of discipleship? God has high plans for all of His redeemed ones. It is inherent in His infinite being that His motives are love and goodness. His plans for us come out of His eternal and creative wisdom and power.

Beyond that is His knowledge and regard for the astonishing potential that lies resident in human nature, long asleep in sin but awakened by the Holy Spirit in regeneration. JAF093-094

Redemption puts God where He belongs—exalted to the throne—and man where he belongs—down in the dust—in order that God may…raise man to the throne. SAT138

Blessings and Not Just for Now

They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and the people with him to eat.—2 Samuel 17:28-29

Some commentators believe that when David wrote the words, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Ps 23:5), he had in mind the events about which we read in today’s passage. Driven into the wilderness by his son Absalom’s rebellion, David and his followers became desperately hungry, thirsty, and weary. God came to his aid, however, and directed to him three men who “brought beds [and] basins” (so that David could wash and refresh himself) as well as “pottery items … wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese.”

How David must have rubbed his eyes in astonishment as he saw God provide for him a table “in the presence of [his] enemies.” Can you cast your mind back at this moment to something “special” that God did for you to demonstrate His tender love and care? I can. Every Christian has these times—how sad that we forget them so soon.

God never does anything “special” in our lives just for the sake of the passing hour—it is done also as a pledge for the future. It is as though God is saying: “I’ll do this for you now, not only to meet your need, but also that you might always know you are the object of My love.”

If new dangers startle us with fear, we have forgotten the past mercies. I believe that David’s confidence in God was due to the fact that whenever he faced a new problem, he remembered vividly the past hour of deliverance.

Prayer

O Father, forgive me for taking so much for granted—rather than taking it with gratitude. I recall the words of Your servant John Newton and make them my own this day: “His love in time past forbids me to think, He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink.” Thank You, Father—thank You. Amen.

Further Study

1Kg 17; Ezk 34:14; Isa 25:6; Jn 6:51

How did Elijah experience God’s provision?

What are we to feed on?

What Manner of Person Ought You to Be?

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, [it is clear] what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness—2 Peter 3:11

When God told Abraham He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham’s life was immediately and radically affected. Noah could not carry on business as usual once he knew what God was planning for his generation. Knowing that God is preparing judgment brings a sobering reality to Christians, helping us recognize what is eternally significant and what is not.

Peter cautions us that a catastrophic time of judgment is coming. On the day of the Lord there will be a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat. On that day, he warns, the earth will be consumed. Peter assures us that this is not mere speculation; it is certain and imminent. He then asks the crucial question that applies to each generation: “What kind of persons ought you to be?” With judgment pending for us and countless millions of people facing destruction, how should we live our lives?

Many Christians attach great value to temporal things. Hobbies and possessions consume us, leaving little time or energy to invest in what is eternal. More than anyone else, Christians should be sensitive to the times in which we live. We should walk so closely with God that if He were preparing to bring judgment upon people, we could warn those in imminent peril. Since Christ has been long-suffering in His return so that no one might perish (2 Pet. 3:9), should we not invest our effort in building God’s eternal kingdom? Should there not be an urgency about us to complete the tasks that God gives us?