I had a friend that went through a messy situation for a little bit because of an incident that happened in a moment in time. There were words said on both sides that probably shouldn’t have been said. There were hurt feelings, maybe on both sides, but undeniably on one side more than the other. It was a situation where a little bit of knowledge from one side would have imparted a little understanding on the other side.
What I found out, months after the situation occurred, were the extenuating circumstances on the part of the other person. There was genuine heartbreak and sorrow on the other side of that situation that caused it to be turned into a blow up. The thing is, they had no idea that they were pushing a button that had been pushed a number of times for my friend. It just happened to be this time that their guard was down and in a moment of irritation they said things that they normally would not have said. Knowledge of what the other person was experiencing would likely have caused a completely different outcome to that moment in time.
I think we have all had moments in time that we wish we could take back and do over with a little more understanding of the situation. I believe that the quest for knowledge has hindered our desire for wisdom laced with understanding.
Proverbs Chapter Four gives us some insight on wisdom and understanding. King Solomon, in this chapter, addresses it to “young men,” and tells them to listen to him just as they would listen to their own fathers.
In Proverbs 4:5-9, Solomon tells “a son” how important it is to obtain wisdom and understanding and hold on to it. He stresses the importance of listening to all the words he was telling him. He told him to never forget them, that wisdom and understanding would preserve him, love him and keep him.
He went on to tell him that gaining wisdom is the main thing. So, as important as it was to get wisdom, and he considered it important, he told him it was also important to gain understanding with that wisdom.
Solomon then urged him to respect wisdom and understanding, and they would advance him and bring him honor… if he would he hold them close to him. He assured him that they would crown his head with a crown of beauty and grace.
What is the challenge within this passage? The challenge, in our ultra-education age, could be grasping the importance of obtaining true understanding along with head knowledge most people think of as wisdom.
How can we apply this to our lives? God is the source of true wisdom. We should seek wisdom through God’s Word and by a sincere relationship with Him, and through making an effort to truly understand the Instruction Book He has gifted us with.
What does this means to my faith? Each time I read God’s Word and receive a new tidbit of knowledge, I am encouraged; because I know that no matter how many times I open His Word He can give me fresh wisdom, with understanding added to it.
Lord, wisdom and understanding can be tricky. I have had so many times when You worked it out backwards for me. I began to understand situations I was experiencing and the wisdom came through understanding. I pray that I will always desire to grow in wisdom and understanding.
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“5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.” Proverbs 4:5-9 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 