Applying Wisdom

RUN! RUN!

.

BACK, BACK, BACK!

.

Two different coaches.

Two different calls.

Which voice would my son heed?

In little league baseball the choice is of little consequence. Not so in the arena of folly.

"Let all who are simple come in here!"

she says to those who lack judgment.

[Proverbs 9:4,16]

Here in verse 4 and 16 of Proverbs 9 both wisdom and folly are shouting out the same invitation. Both vying for our attention - any one's attention. The same call but with opposite effects.

How do you distinguish them? Same words, same approach; how can you tell the difference?

"The fear of the LORD

is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One

is understanding. "
[Proverbs 9:10]

Wisdom has prepared a feast in her mansion with attendants and bids us to join the celebration. Folly, on the other hand, invites you to sin and join her guests in the grave. It takes a trained ear to decipher the call of wisdom from folly. Trained by the Word. Like baseball, it takes training, practice, and listening to the coach.

This reminds me of the parable Jesus told of a wedding banquet [Mt 25:1-13]. Only half of the virgins going to meet the bridegroom used wisdom. When the time came for his arrival the foolish ones were not prepared and missed out on the banquet and were later denied entry. How I want to be found in the wisdom camp. There are days, however, when I answer the voice calling the fool.

Due to my insufficiency, I will allow the words Solomon penned for God to conclude this thought on instructions for gaining wisdom:

My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom,

and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just

and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right

and just and fair—every good path.

[Proverbs 2:1-9]

Omniscient God; I want to hear Your voice of wisdom. Enable me to recognize calls to foolishness. Bestow upon me discernment and a heart yearning to understand and apply Your Word. Prepare me for the Bridegroom's arrival. In Jesus Name, Amen.