A Call for Wisdom

In the opening proverb of Solomon’s collection of wisdom sayings, a striking and provocative image of wisdom emerges. Wisdom personified, which is revealed as a person, is seen shouting in the streets, lifting her voice in the town square, and crying aloud at the city gate. Wisdom is calling out to the “naïve ones” asking “how long will you love being simple minded?” (Proverbs 1:22) Even more chilling is the prophetic pronouncement leveled at the self-proclaimed, wise scoffer, “because I called you and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your dread comes…” (Proverbs 1:24-26)

This text speaks profoundly to the societal and cultural worldview of many of our leaders. They say that only those who “are bigoted, biased, or can’t think straight” would consider abortion, murder, or same-sex marriage as detrimental to society, and view pornography as a protected right rather than a destructive and perverted degradation of the divine plan for human sexuality. Wisdom has eluded all of society and will laugh as calamity comes.

Closer to home is the folly exercised in the modern church. The preaching of the Word has been exchanged for soft-stepping and ego-driven talks on success and prosperity, sin has been re-defined as weakness, worship has become a spectator sport submitted to Olympic-style judges whose grades are determined by ascetics, style, musical “tightness” and flair, and the call to live as people from another world has been hushed by a push to appear as much like the world as we can to maintain significance or leverage. This is our wisdom! True wisdom will laugh as calamity strikes the foolish church.

Today, like never before, the church needs the wisdom of God in powerful proportion. How may we find wisdom from above to turn us from the path of weak and impotent religion to a path of vibrant and effectual Kingdom living again? Four simple reminders will be helpful.



First, it begins by a return to a sincere and vital relationship with Christ, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning (foundation) of (true) wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). Management guru Steven Covey says “whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.” Unless Christ is firmly established in the center of our lives, divine wisdom will elude us. Intimacy with Christ is the foundation for all true wisdom.

Second, the Word of the Lord will reveal divine wisdom. The Psalmist, speaking of the Law of the Lord, said it “makes wise, the simple” (Psalm 19:7). Relationship with Christ void of a relationship with His Word will leave us still worldly, and lacking in divine wisdom.

Third, the generosity of the Lord should give us great hope. James, after exhorting readers who lacked wisdom to “ask of God,-” reminded them that God will give to them liberally (James 1:5)! God is a generous giver, His mercy is new daily and never-ending, His grace super-abounds our sin, His faithfulness reaches to the heavens, and His love cannot be quenched. His meting out of wisdom to those who ask also comes in generous portions.

Finally, the reliability of divine wisdom can be trusted because it is anchored in the steadfastness of His character. James further notes that “every good and perfect gift,” including wisdom “cometh from above, from the Father of lights in Whom there is not variableness and shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Contrasted with the celestial lights (sun, moon, stars) over which the faithfulness of God stands firm and there is not even a slight turning in Him, His wisdom therefore is reliable and stands the test of time. May we turn again to Him, rooted in the Word and confident in both His generosity and faithfulness, and express our need and desire to experience His wisdom in a greater dimension than ever before!