The Treasure of Wisdom

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

The Bible speaks about wisdom as a treasure to be sought after. But from where? A popular spiritual guru offers her advice:

Our real power comes from knowing who we are . . . and that begins with looking inside ourselves in silence. I've always believed you really need no gurus, no leaders, no guides—just yourself. You have all your own best answers. What you're trying to find is already there. Be still and know it.

If I hear her correctly, the advice is, “Be still and know yourself.” How different that is to the Psalmist’s claim, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Are the answers to life deep within your own heart, as the guru contends, or deep within the heart of God, as the Psalmist proclaims? A prophet long ago said, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can know it" (Jeremiah 17:9). This prophet leaves no doubt in his answer; because of sin and our fallen nature, wisdom does not dwell within us. Rather, it must come from outside of us.

God has not abandoned us to go through life without wisdom and understanding. He has a provision for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). The Psalmist also tells us where we can find it. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

We live in a world of “darkness” and foolishly think we can discover light inside of us. May I suggest that you look to God. One apostle said it like this, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1st John 1:5).

When we seek Him with all our heart, we find Him, and in Him, we discover wisdom.

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:2-6).