“Happy is the man who finds wisdom and gains understanding” (Proverbs 3:13). This verse is the conclusion of Proverbs Chapter 2. All happiness is based upon knowledge of and submission to the divine will, spoken here as wisdom, since it is an act of highest wisdom to be submissive to God, who is the source of all good.

Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above. Who created all heaven’s light? The Bible states, “Unlike them He never changes or casts shifting shadows” (James 1:17). The Bible often compares goodness with light and evil with darkness. Psalm 27:1 will tell us that “the LORD is my light and my salvation. So why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger so why should I tremble?”

Analyzing the verses mentioned above conveys that we are surrounded by the fear of dark shadows that ultimately imprison us within ourselves. The fear that I am trying to point out is the fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness or even death. As Christians, we can always depend on our faith of the LORD to conquer fear by using bright liberating light of the LORD who brings salvation. Simply, if we want to drive away darkness in our lives, let us remember the LORD is our light and salvation.

“Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as days” (Isaiah 58:10).

By using Psalm 27:1, “the Lord is my light and my salvation,” and Isaiah 58:10, “light will shine out from the dark,” I want to suggest that trusting the One who has sovereign power above all, the One who gives us assurance of salvation if we continue in Him and doing good deeds, will make everything around us bright as days.

The following are a Series of Questions which will determine the Source of wisdom by using the book of Job:

1. Is the fear of dark shadows is the source of wisdom?

NO.

2.  Can wisdom be bought?

NO. Even with the most expensive jewelry or gold. We can only seek wisdom. To seek wisdom is to seek understanding. Wisdom is a process of discovery. Wisdom gives us a great ability to be in touch with God; to be in touch with the spirit of Jesus Christ; to be in touch with all the forces of all creation; to help us find journey; to seek is to discover, which eventually leads us to understanding.

3.  Where can we find wisdom?

• “Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living” (Job 28:13).
• “The deep says, ‘it is not in me;’ and the sea says, ‘It’s not with me’” (Job 28:14).

4.  Where does the wisdom come from?

“It is hidden from the eyes of all the living; and concealed from the birds of the air” (Job 28:21).

5.  Where is the Place of Understanding?

• “God understand the way to it; and he knows the place” (Job 28:23).
• “For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens” (Job 28:24).
• “When He gave to the wind its weight, and apportioned out the waters by measure” (Job 28:25).
• “When he made a decree for the rain, and way for the thunderbolt” (Job 28:26).
• “Then he saw it and declared it; he established; and searches it out” (Job 28:27).
• “And He said to humankind, the TRUE WISDOM IS FEAR OF THE LORD and to depart from evil is real understanding” (Job 28:28) and (Proverbs 9:10).

The previous verses suggest that wisdom alone is from God, and that not even humans are not the source of wisdom, or else there would be no need to seek it. However, the concluding verse points to the true “source of wisdom,” which is God, and to rebuke evil is understanding. But what is the “fear of the LORD?” Fear of the LORD is the foundation of knowledge, to honor and respect God, and to obey His power. Faith in God should be the controlling principle for our understanding of the world, our attitudes, and our actions. And by trusting God in our lives, He will make us wise.

One thing is certain: we cannot seek wisdom and gain understanding if we cannot go beyond ourselves.

GOD, HELP US TO FIND WISDOM IN OUR DAILY LIVING. SHOW US THE RIGHT PATHWAY AND LET US BE HUMBLE. MAKE US GAIN UNDERSTANDING TO THE FULLEST. AMEN.

Bro.Danny Cosico

I chose Proverbs 3:5 as my topic verse because it has impacted my life by giving me inspiration.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).  The head is mentioned three times in verses 1,3, and 5 of chapter three.  I reiterate the head because head faith is not a saving faith.  Why?  On the biblical perspective, it argues that you would miss heaven if you believe the gospel with your head rather than with your heart.  Head faith, or intellectual faith, is dangerous.  You may think you are saved simply because you believe the facts of the gospel, but it says that without the heart commitment, your faith is not a saving faith at all.

Heart faith is confessing “with your mouth the Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead” (Romans 10:9).  Then you will be saved.  Furthermore, “for it is your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Rom. 10:10).  These verses are evidence that we are dependent on God for our salvation because we believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead.

Let’s dissect confessing and believing.  Confessing is external and believing is internal because it comes from the inner self, which is the heart.  That belief of our hearts leads us to the gift of eternal life.

In Psalms 86:11-12, it says, “teach me your ways, O Lord that I may live according to your truth.  Grant me purity of heart that I may honor you.”  David is praying for his heart to be united with God.  These verses tell us that David is submitting himself, and by submitting himself, he is trusting God to take control of his life.  This directly supports the sentiment found in the previous verses mentioned in Proverbs 3.

All of this, however, does not apply solely to salvation, for many heresies (opinions or beliefs that contradict established religious teaching) have been brought out because men tried to reason out doctrinal truth- leaning toward our own wisdom instead of simply believing God’s Word.  Sabi nga (it has been said that) there is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof is death. 

I conclude with Proverbs 3:6, which is always in connection to verse five.  “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  Acknowledging Him refers to having all your ways attuned to His will- trusting in His power, wisdom, providence, goodness, righteousness, and believing that without Him, you can do nothing.  Most of our failures are due to pride, for we think that our own wisdom and strength are sufficient, so we do not acknowledge Him as necessary in all things.  But the truth is that we do need God’s direction in everything, for this alone is a safe pathway.  Let me end by saying, trusting God with our hearts will not put us to shame.