Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Based Upon Proverbs 8:23-26, 30
“I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;”
King Solomon had a particularly strong grasp on wisdom. When he was in the beginning stages of his role as king, he spoke to the Lord humbly and openly. He admitted that he was but a small child and lacked what was necessary to rule over God’s people. The Lord asked him what He should do for Him, and Solomon requested wisdom. The Lord granted his prayer and beyond. His first test as king revealed that the Lord’s wisdom had become a part of his life.
Proverbs chapter eight, it seems, is a letter from wisdom to all who would listen. Wisdom said, “Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.” Proverbs 8:4-8. These are strong words. They point to a wonderful truth that many may not realize. Wisdom, even as depicted in the Old Testament, must be none other than Jesus Christ.
When you come to the closing verses, it becomes even clearer. “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” Proverbs 8:22, 35.
Are not these words spoken of Christ? Does not the Bible also say that those who have Christ have life (I John 5:12)? Is it not true that those who have Christ have favor with the Father as well?
Notice the way Paul describes Jesus Christ. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:30, 31. Jesus is, indeed, wisdom.
What does understanding that Jesus is wisdom mean for us today? Whenever the Lord gives wisdom, that is, the ability to resist evil and use the truths God has revealed unto salvation, Christ is present. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. He is the perfect gift of wisdom that we all need. As we listen to Him, as we welcome His counsel, we are brought into closer relationship with Him. This is Christ’s purpose. He cries aloud in order to draw us closer to Himself. If I had to say something about wisdom, I would agree with David when he said, “LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalms 90:1, 2. Praise the Lord for giving us His Son Jesus Christ. He is made unto us wisdom. Amen.–L. David Harris
