Wisdom Is Better Than Easy

Do you remember the "Easy Button" at Staples? When life throws a bunch of curve balls, wouldn’t it be nice to just hit the easy button? All of us would love to have something that would eliminate all tough things from our lives, but that isn’t reality

But God does share with us His wisdom which can see us through all the difficulties and stresses of life. As we conclude a brief explanation of the Wisdom Books of the Bible, I hope we can gain a better understanding of how God’s wisdom isn’t designed to tell you how to act, but to help guide you to a place where, by faith, you can see which way honors God by bringing peace to whatever you face.

Peace isn’t just a happy feeling, but rather contentment. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-14, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.”

That verse that is often interpreted misinterpreted, but it actually holds tremendous evidence of God’s wisdom. God’s ways are rarely safe, but they are fulfilling. They aren’t usually easy, but rewarding. God wants us to bless us, but not only with worldly things. In fact, at times the best blessings come when the worldly things are removed from our lives.

Jesus instructed the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:21, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Was Jesus telling the truth? Was He only misleading a man who worked hard and perhaps was a good steward of what God had given him? NO. Jesus had also modeled for him, and for us, that giving up those things that seem like His blessings, but ultimately cloud our understanding of God’s wisdom and keep us from relying on God's strength. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He shall give you everything you need.” That’s real wisdom—to seek the King of the Universe and follow Him.

Hardships--A Glimpse of God's Wisdom

"Vanity! Vanity!” The famous words of the Preacher, Solomon. In his experiences, he discovered through all the different roads offered to a person in life that they all ended in death. So, ultimately nothing was really worth it. However, as followers of Christ, we do realize that there are blessings even in not-so-good things in life (Romans 8:28). But how could a person possibly think of a hardship as a glimpse into God’s wisdom? (James 1:2-4)

Those are the kinds of answers we find in the books of wisdom found in the Bible: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Each of these books reflect a unique perspective on how God looks at the experiences in our lives that can draw us closer to him or that end up driving us away from him (James 4:7-8). Deep within them, there is a message that gives us confidence and power to face the trials ahead.

Just like James said to do in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

As we strive to better understand our purpose for being on Planet Earth, we quickly realize that it really isn’t about us, as much as we may want it to be – it’s not! Therefore, the words of God reflect what it is about and ultimately where I’ll find purpose and satisfaction in life.

Too many people chase after the things that only end in death. However, the things that God wants us to grasp through his wisdom, is that life is most fulfilling when lived to serve others. After all, Jesus did just that and therefore took away our need to fear death. Hebrews 2:14-15, “…[He] shared in [death], that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

In the same way, His eternal words reveal how His wisdom isn’t like the way of the world. God’s wisdom shows us how life is filled with dissatisfaction, BUT He gives us the words we need to see past those things – even the problem of death!

1 Corinthians 2:6-8, “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. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory…”

Aim for His wisdom and trust that you’ll understand His will better, whether in good times or bad.

Fatherly Wisdom

Our fathers’ have worn many different hats. Throughout life, he’s been our mentor, our coach, our hero, even “the bad guy.” Most of us realize he wasn’t really bad; he was just doing what we needed to become better people.

Hebrews 12:10-13, “Our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So, take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak, and lame will not fall but become strong.”

It's said that mended bones and muscles actually grow to become stronger. Our weakest point can actually become our strongest. Jesus told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” The discipline and instructions of our fathers are what God uses to shape us into people that reflect His image and should help us be more eager to adopt His ways of thinking.

That’s why its so important that a father not “go beyond his authority” and “should not provoke their children to anger by the way they treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

It’s such a great responsibility to be a father. David gave some helpful advice in helping to keep a father (or anyone for that matter) in check. He said in Psalms 26:2, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.”

Perhaps David’s strong desire to be right before God influenced his son Solomon. Because he wrote several books that reveal the wisdom of God. In the first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs, he encourages his son to hold tightly to the teachings of their father and mother. Today, many people rely on the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, but the Wisdom books (as is sometimes called) contain several other opportunities to learn wisdom. Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes are also part of the collection of the books of wisdom.

Each book is written from a different perspective:
Proverbs (the overall benefits of living “right”),
Job (don’t give up on God when things don’t work out as they should),
and Ecclesiastes (fearing God is more valuable than chasing anything of the material world we live in).

Our father’s discipline trains us to know how and why to respect God’s directions. His example of patience and perseverance trains us to never quit, and his teaching and coaching helps to tie it all together and show us the blessing of wisdom.

Forgiveness, Part Two

If you’re in a relationship with someone, it’s probably fair to say that you’ve had at least one moment of regret on how you treated that person. Even a healthy relationship will experience regrets, but it’s how you address those issues of conflict that make it a negative thing or a positive thing.

When it comes to our relationship with God, we’re the ones that repeatedly add moments of regrets. Although we may not always understand God’s involvement in our lives, we have faith that whatever He’s doing is intended to help us rather than hurt us. (Jeremiah 29:11, James 1:1-4, Romans 8:28)

But it’s our intentions that may be less than honorable. Thus, the reason we need forgiveness. Thankfully, Jesus came to make forgiveness possible. Colossians 2:13-14, “He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

By taking away our sins, He also opened up a practical guide to forgiving other people’s offenses against us. It doesn’t take a sociologist to realize how much a lack of forgiveness has caused permanent damage to so many relationships. Yet Jesus had every reason to NOT forgive the people who had rejected His gift of life, when they had Him crucified on the cross.

Instead the example He offered by His life serves as our motivation to “forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Forgiveness serves as one of the most difficult demonstrations of our faith. To swallow our pride and do as Paul said in Ephesians 4:2-3, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

There are numerous physical benefits to letting go of hard feelings, disagreements, and conflicts in the name of being a “peacemaker.” But first and foremost, there are great blessings in being called a Peacemaker, because... “they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9).