“If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.” Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV
Reflection and meditation are necessary attributes for acquiring wisdom.
Reflection and meditation are necessary attributes for acquiring wisdom. One cannot receive wisdom without receiving it from God, for God is Wisdom.
As we know from 1 John 4, “God is love.” What Scripture reveals is that God is not merely the Giver of that which is of Him, He is the very thing that is of Him.
Though love can be expressed and exercised in various forms, God is the Foundation, Ground, and Basis of Love. There is no partaking in love without God being Love Himself. Though He is not the one extending love between couples and acts of service, the Power to Love is derived from Him. For just as we live because God is Life, so we love because God is Love.
Therefore, all wisdom comes from God because God is Wisdom Himself. There is no wisdom apart from God, for God is the All-Wise God (Romans 16:27). He is the One Who speaks to the quiet and stilled heart. He is the One Who commands us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV).
There is wisdom in waiting, and waiting comes by way of stillness. In stillness, we learn the art of reflection and meditation and the fruits it brings forth.
There is wisdom in waiting, and waiting comes by way of stillness. In stillness, we learn the art of reflection and meditation and the fruits it brings forth.
Fruit does not ripen instantly but over time. Likewise, is it with wisdom. We cannot acquire wisdom and enact out wisdom without taking time to be still.
Fruit does not ripen instantly but over time. Likewise, is it with wisdom. We cannot acquire wisdom and enact out wisdom without taking time to be still.
To “be still” means taking time to listen to the Unspoken Voice of God and to allow His Word to sink deep within the soul.
To “be still” means taking time to listen to the Unspoken Voice of God and to allow His Word to sink deep within the soul. When this occurs, what we practice and do can be done properly. Without doing so, we either waste much time or the time to complete a task increases.
Time alone with God is never wasted. Sitting at His feet is never in vain.
Time alone with God is never wasted. Sitting at His feet is never in vain. The discipline, however, is to trust that in stillness there is wisdom, and wisdom that is properly used will propel us further than we could do in our strength, insight, and intelligence.
The “lowest” supply of God is greater than the greatest supply of man.
We know that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25 NKJV). God is not foolish, and what this Scripture reveals is the Might and Magnificence of God. Even the “lowest” supply of God is greater than the greatest supply of man.
God has no low points within Him. He is Transcendent in all that He is and does. He is the One Who must humble Himself to even look upon His creation (Psalm 113:6).
God, of course, has no low points within Him. He is Transcendent in all that He is and does. He is the One Who must humble Himself to even look upon His creation. God "humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth” (Psalm 113:6 NKJV).
Everything that God is can only be revealed in a descending manner. Nothing of God can be known apart from His willingness to come to our level and reveal what only He can reveal.
Everything that God is can only be revealed in a descending manner. Nothing of God can be known apart from His willingness to come to our level and reveal what only He can reveal.
In knowing this, we come to find that wisdom is found in waiting and stillness.
God speaks best when we are quiet. When a Truth is learned through our quiet time in Scripture, we must not be hasty to continue reading.
The fool rushes on to the next thing. The wise take it to heart.
When a moment of awe, wonder, or insight begins to blossom, we must not suppress the time needed for it to bloom within our hearts. For the fool rushes on to the next thing. The wise take it to heart.
This can be difficult and is most certainly a struggle of mine – not allowing the time needed for a beautiful revelation or Truth to go from my mind to my heart. Quickly, I want to find the next thing, and hear the next revelation… little do I recognize that wisdom cannot only be instantly known but remains when we give the time needed for it to grow from a seed to a tree.
Without sitting in the Son and allowing the Living Water to provide proper supply and nutrients, the seed of wisdom will soon whither.
Without sitting in the Son and allowing the Living Water to provide proper supply and nutrients, the seed of wisdom will soon whither. What was an instant fascination has now become a revelation quickly forgotten. Not only in mind but the ability to live in that Truth ceases from being displayed.
Reverence is found not merely in speech but in the disposition of the heart.
This is why we must be still and quiet before God. For reverence is found not merely in speech but in the disposition of the heart. If our posture before God is false and scarce, how can we complain that life is hard and God is not answering our prayers?
Only the humble will receive wisdom because they do what must be done to receive wisdom.
Only the humble will receive wisdom because they do what must be done to receive wisdom. Not that by our works we receive what comes from God, but that our obedience guided by the Holy Spirit opens the flood streams to what only God can do.
If we strive and continue in the flesh in any realm or situation, that which should take a few weeks turns into a few months, and that which should take a few months takes a few years.
If we strive and continue in the flesh in any realm or situation, that which should take a few weeks turns into a few months, and that which should take a few months takes a few years.
Without wisdom, we prolong processes that should not be or could otherwise be reduced had we gone to God.
Without wisdom, we prolong processes that should not be or could otherwise be reduced had we gone to God.
There is wisdom to be found in this matter, for each time we did not go to God and learned the hard way, we can reflect on our own sins and shortcomings. Our mistakes in the past can be found by meditating on what God has forgiven, brought us through, and revealed.
True revelation comes not only from what is not known, but also from unpacking what has been known. Revelations can be given upon reflection, and wisdom can be found in waiting.
We must ask ourselves, “Am I willing to know what must be done and continue to neglect to do so? Or will I have the humility, courage, and trust that doing as God desires and demands will ultimately unravel that which only He can do in a shorter amount of time?”
God blesses those who take His call to obey seriously. He encourages the heart that willingly yields to the blessed call just to sit and be in Christ’s Presence, for there is no greater peace, wisdom, knowledge, love, and joy to be found than in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God can do anything at any given time. We can do most things at any given time, but those things are not profitable. They are the opposite of what God calls us to do.
God can do anything at any given time. We can do most things at any given time, but those things are not profitable. They are the opposite of what God calls us to do.
With God, dominion over sin can be obtained, wisdom can be bestowed, and endurance can be achieved.
What we can do is naturally against God. However, with God, dominion over sin can be obtained, wisdom can be bestowed, and endurance can be achieved.
The favor of God opens to those who do not merely knock but enter in.
To enter the house of the one who lets us in exemplifies a temporary stay. A willingness to socialize, communicate, and listen. If we knock, make our request known, and instantly walk away, we are no better than one who whines and complains when they do not get their way.
The answer is clear when we do not get our way – many times when we are born-again, it is not in the purity of spirit in which something is asked, nor is it necessarily in what is being asked (if it is guided by the Holy Spirit) – answers are not obtained when we neglect to sit with Christ awhile and seek Him for the perseverance and patience to wait on the Heavenly Father’s Hand to move.
Let us come now to God, knowing He hears us and desires to help us. God is a Loving and Gracious Father Who gives good gifts. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11 NKJV).
Just as food is taken in well at a steady pace, so wisdom sinks into our soul when we give ourselves time to ponder and reflect.
Go to the Word. Allow each nugget of wisdom to sink in by reflecting and remaining quiet for just as food is taken in well at a steady pace, so wisdom sinks into our soul when we give ourselves time to ponder and reflect.
Do not attempt to learn everything all at once. Do not strive to merely follow a Bible plan and be consumed with checking the list. Take time to allow God to speak.
When revelations are given, and wisdom is gathered, close your eyes, think about what has been given, pray over that very thing, and allow the Holy Spirit to open the sea of your soul.
Fish that swim in seas are well-pleased when other fish come. In treacherous waters, the more fish, the greater chance of survival. Simultaneously, the more fish, the greater camaraderie. So too, is it with wisdom that dwells in our soul. The more we gather, the greater we can handle and move forward, not in our strength, but by the Spirit.
If we allow God's Wisdom to flood our souls, we can handle, understand, perceive, and move forward under any trial, situation, test, path, or journey.
We become enlightened and realize that all Truth and Wisdom come from God. If we allow His Wisdom to flood our souls, we can handle, understand, perceive, and move forward under any trial, situation, test, path, or journey.
May God grow you and be with you forever and always.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, God over all, Who is the All-Wise God, You alone give and take. You alone do what is Right and Pure. God in Heaven, bless us with knowledge and wisdom. Give us understanding as to our current path in life. Holy Spirit, give us the strength to persevere and endure. Bless us, Jesus, with Your Presence. Teach us to rest awhile at Your feet, that we might mount up on wings like eagles. May we walk and not faint. Give us what is needed, Heavenly Father. Bless us with our Daily Bread and Living Water. As we enter Your Presence with thanksgiving and praise, teach us to number our days. May we find no pleasure in the world but in You alone. By Wisdom, You told the waves to go to a point and no further. By Wisdom, You created the foundations of the world and everything in it. O God, give us the patience and strength to wait on You, to dwell in Your Presence, and to reflect and meditate on You and Your Word. May You be exalted through us, and may we point all our successes to You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine
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