Daily Wisdom

Ecc 8:16-17 “When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth… Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.”

Many equate wisdom (human knowledge) with success and eventual happiness, believing academia means one is among society’s elite and bight (thus making them successful). However, according to Solomon, that couldn’t be further from the truth (Ecc 1:13; 17)

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, made it clear to everyone listening: if a man had access to all the world’s wisdom, man would still know very little, for no one can comprehend God and all that He knows or has done.  Fact: There will always be more questions than answers…

Thus, what we don’t know should not cast a shadow over what we can know (our faith). Meaning: We should not let what we don’t know hinder what we can know through God’s word, as God us ultimately in control of all things. You don’t have to understand God’s will just be willing to surrender to it and

Quit trying to figure out God’s work and just do God’s work.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” Phil 1:9

We must keep in remembrance that God is love (1 Jn 4:8), and it’s that love that is the spiritual adhesive for hope in our lives. In the following verses Paul proceeds to enumerate the blessings which he sought for the Philippians, and it’s important to note that he didn’t ask of riches, or worldly prosperity, his supplications were confined to spiritual blessings, and he sought these as the most desirable for them. Paul knew that love was the driving force for man’s overall success, first towards God and then man as well. But we’re not called to a blind love, our love must be bound in knowledge and judgment.  Some Christians are more affectionate, and less knowing; others are more knowing, and less affectionate. Such approach can do more hurt than good. The Jews had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, and were misguided which lead to violence and rage (Rom 10:2, Jn 16:2). Such a foundation of love allows us to discern that which is excellent (vs 10).  Man is called to a spiritually intelligent affection, not emotionally blind affection. Where the Spirit of God is, there is love, which is a fruit of righteousness in Christ Jesus, and His love brings forth good works. (vs 11).

We love others best when we love God most.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” Pro 16:16 

German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler was considered a founder of modern science. Kepler is best known for his theories explaining the motion of planets.  Over the next decade, he learned about the work of Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo, who had invented a telescope. In correspondence with Galileo, he eventually obtained one of his own, and in doing so published the first two of his three laws of planetary motion, which held that planets move around the sun in ellipses, not circles. But, on this date in history Kepler determined/claimed in 4977 B.C., the universe was created.  Here’s the point, Kepler by way of the telescope gained greater information and insight to truths in our universe. But, these truths only came by way of greater insight and knowledge beyond his own understanding or the ability to obtain on his own. What we think we see and know is seldom the complete knowledge we need to determine truth. Despite Kepler’s eyes being opened to increased knowledge of the universe, still missed the truth concerning dates and facts of the universe. This ultimately shows that no matter how much knowledge man claims to know or means by which he obtains it, God is the only authority and source concerning and knowing truth in all matters. No matter how much man knows, he must be cautious in proclaiming it as factual and complete, there is always more truth beyond our understanding.  You want to share or proclaim knowledge, proclaim and edify what God has revealed in his word not what man utters from his heart. “God’s word was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”

The proclamations of man are not always the prevailing truths of God.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“O Lord thou hast searched me, and known me. When I awake, I am still with thee” Psa 139:1; 18

Jesus wants you to know what he knows. That while you struggle at times in life, he knows and has known every struggle and plight you’ve faced, and the depths of your needs. And no matter how far away or into something you’ve wondered or have been hurt he knows. Consider the conversation Jesus possibly had with his disciples concerning such, maybe something like this: “When you meet that poor wretch who thrust that spear into my side, tell him there is a better way, to come at my heart, if he will repent and look upon whom has pierced. And I will cherish him in the very heart he wounded; he shall find that the very blood he shed an ample atonement for the sin of shedding it. And tell him he will put me in more pain and displeasure by refusing the offering of my blood, than when he drew it.”  Such a response is the answer when you ask yourself, what do I have going for me when everything's against me? What will not fail you when what you thought was solid and real collapses beneath you? This experience is inevitable. You don’t have to go looking for it, it will find you. God himself has it written into your life (Jm 1:8). But when this happens you’re forced to ask the question: What can I count on, when I can’t count on anything else?  Psalm 139 shows us such an answer. When David found himself in that catastrophic place, he dug to the deepest foundation of his existence, and this is the bedrock he stood upon. (vss 1-6) God, you know me.  (vss 7-12) God, you are with me.  (vss 13-18) God, you have made me. The Psalm hinges on vs 18b ‘when I awake, i am still with thee.” David awoke to his contemplations to realize while they come and go, God has never left him! And while he awoke and returned to the real world where nothing has changed, he had changed with the renewing and knowledge that the Lord is immutable, and never changes from being there for you. In the Psalm the Lord uses the word “know” six-times which is the Hebrew word “Yada” meaning intimacy. The strongest form of knowing someone or something, which is you!  He wants you to know that he is always there, whether you know it or not!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”  Isa 5:21

It’s said: Talent is God given, be humble. Fame is man given, be grateful, Conceit is self-given, be careful.  The design of this chapter is the prevalent vices that permeated within Judah, and self-conceit being the fifth sin listed. Pointing out those who had developed an inflated, false opinion of their own knowledge and it’s vanity.  God tells us there is more hope for a fool than a man wise in his own conceit (Pro 26:12). The first sin we know of in our universe was Lucifer’s self-conceit. One that is self-absorbed only thinks in terms of what makes them feel good, and fail miserably in their relationships; with God included.  Point… if you think a post or comment is about you, the truth is it probably isn’t you just see yourself in it. If so, don’t get upset with the mirror, change the reflection instead.

Conceit is self-proclaiming, if it’s worth proclaiming let God or man do it for you (Pro 27:2).

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“Whom shall I teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” Isa 28:9

One’s growth, maturity or knowledge in the Lord is illustrated by three stages; Infancy, Adolescence and Adult-hood.  And just as a new-born infant starts with the their mother’s breast milk before they advance physically to foods with more substance, Isaiah states, how can God grow you spiritually if God can’t get you past infancy and your mother’s milk? In ch. 29 these verses characterize the people's reaction to Isaiah. In effect, they were saying, "He's speaking to us like a schoolteacher speaks to small children. We don't need to be taught. We'll make up our own minds." For this attitude, Isaiah prophesied the lesson will still occur, and that the Assyrians would teach them in a way they would like even less. Paul spoke to the same issue in Rom 1 by stating “they knew God but glorified him not, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” (Rom 1:21-22). Foolish is one who claims their own maturity or wisdom (Pro 22:4), and yet they are still living on milk. Self relied/determined wisdom is idolatry; it makes God in our image, instead of the reverse. A fool can know; but knowledge is understanding wisdom is in God.

Don’t boast in counting the seeds in an apple when only God can count the apples in a seed!

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Col 1:5

Throughout this letter, Paul combats a heresy similar to Gnosticism (vss 9-14; 15-23; 2:4). Who believed that it took special knowledge to be accepted by God; Christ alone was not the way of salvation (vs 20). In his opening Paul commended the Colossians for their faith, love, and hope as they looked forward to heaven (1 Cor 13:13). He omits the word knowledge because of the "special knowledge" aspect of the heresy. It is not what we know that brings salvation but whom we know. Know this; we know nothing of our salvation outside of Jesus! Christianity is not defined by your strength to overcome, but in your humility to admit you need a saviour! There’s hope for anyone and anything that put their hope in Christ alone.

The greatest hope in knowledge you need is to know you have no hope without Christ.

HSAY…Todd