The Source of Wisdom

Scripture:
Surely there is a mine for silver,
    and a place for gold that they refine.
Iron is taken out of the earth,
    and copper is smelted from the ore. ...
But where shall wisdom be found?
    And where is the place of understanding?
Man does not know its worth,
    and it is not found in the land of the living. ...
God understands the way to it,
    and he knows its place. ...
And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
    and to turn away from evil is understanding.’
Job 28:1-2,12-13,23,28

Observation: Job is heading into his final soliloquy, and his in chapter 28 he is resigning himself to the fact that he has no more answers and no more defense for his situation. Instead, he choses to reach the following conclusion: Everywhere mankind looks for things of value and has learned where to find earthly treasures, but man can never seem to find wisdom. However, God has provided a very simple guide to wisdom ... fear of the Lord is wise, and turning away from evil is the sign of understanding that wisdom.

This is ALL that wisdom is. Wisdom is not about understanding the ways of God, or understanding the world, or having riches is a good life, or being respected. Wisdom is just ONE thing - fearing the Lord, and understanding is demonstrated by avoiding evil.

Application: I do not fear the Lord nearly enough. I am often pleased with my earthly wisdom, and the "rewards" that wisdom brings me. But I am foolish. I do evil, and fail to repent. I malign others, plot and curse, lust and get angry and lie. I am full of pride and impatience - they are practically my defining qualities.

I need to fear the Lord ... I need to respect his sovereign power over my life in a way that truly subjugates by life to him and his will and his ways, to the point that I repent from evil ways because I acknowledge I have no right to choose to do evil. My life, my will, my actions, my thoughts all belong to God, and I honor and respect him above myself.

I will seek true - not earthly - wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, my Lord and God, I continue to fail in setting aside my pride. I must know that I am lesser, and that you are greater. In my heart I know this, but just as Paul once said I still do the things I hate. I feel your spirit strengthening me in this - please continue your work in me! Please do not forsake me, but forgive me for my pride and foolishness, and guide me in repenting of evil. Amen, and amen.