Wisdom: Jesus IN the Word. When we read, He speaks to us; we find Him in each page; He speaks to us in them!

This chapter is awesome in that we are introduced to how the Word of God can change our lives. Wisdom is seeing from God’s perspective. It’s standing right beside Him looking where He’s looking and having Him explain it to us.

1 Does not wisdom [the Spirit] call out? Does not understanding [His explanation] raise her voice?
4 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind [all who will listen].
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.”

We are always being shaped by what we see, hear and experience. How we are shaped depends on our temperament, personality, goals, and if we have the Holy Spirit living in us.

12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence [right choices]; I possess knowledge and discretion [how to make those right choices].
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance–whoa!–evil behavior and perverse speech.

Jesus has given us living words, which are accounts of His life and what is important to Him. Salvation is based upon dying to ourselves and having Him live in us and through us (Galatians 2:20). If that’s not your goal, then you became a Christian for the wrong reasons. In fact, the first sign (fruit) of the Spirit in our lives when we are saved–and each morning when we get up–is to experience His presence by reading His Word and learning about Him. His Spirit gives us an insatiable desire to know Christ through the Scriptures.

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24b
30 I was the Craftsman at His side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence, rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind.

If you don’t have this burning desire to read His Word and “study to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15),” then there are worries in this life, deceitfulness of wealth, and desires for other things that have come into your life and are choking you. You are unfruitful (see Mark 4:19).

32 Now then, my children, listen to Me; blessed are those who keep my ways [by learning them].
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Know this: God prunes His vines. He will cut off in our lives the leaves and stems that are diseased or are sucking life-giving nutrients out of us.

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“He [the Father] binds up every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 5:2

Are you frustrated with church? Read.
Are you concerned about where you are spiritually? Read.
Are you perplexed concerning the choices of your children? Read.

“Those who know [God] read.”

It’s time, folks. We MUST get serious about living our lives for Him. Our country depends upon our faithfulness; our children are depending upon our faithfulness! It ALL starts with a repentant heart and a willingness to pick up His Word and discover Him in the pages. He will do the rest!

¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges [discerns] the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Abba, as I’ve already prayed this morning, I ask that You give my readers an insatiable desire to know Your Word. It has the power to transform their lives into mature and godly ambassadors for You. May our conversations at church move away from earthly matters and become conversations about what we’ve read lately in Your Word. WOW! What a paradigm shift!!! I look forward to the day, LORD. May it be soon. Amen.