“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6
To a very large extent, our everyday experience involves identifying, and then attempting to resolve, innumerable problems. In fact, every job in the world exists to solve some perceived problem or another. Consequently, the jobs that solve what are perceived to be the most important problems are usually those that come with the biggest salaries. How interesting it is that those involved in sports and entertainment often earn more than doctors who routinely display extraordinary wisdom and skill in saving lives. Apparently, people in the western world see distraction from the serious affairs of this life a great problem to be solved! How ironic it is that purposeful distraction from considering one’s duties, responsibilities, and obligations can itself become a cause of even greater problems (Daniel 5:1-4, 30; Romans 8:5-8; 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 9). Some folks see problems where none exist. The evolutionary biologist, for instance, seeks to understand how, when, and why life evolved on earth. The millions of grant dollars he receives and the time and effort he spends on this project are in fact a complete waste of resources. Because life did not evolve but was created, our careful, diligent researcher will never make progress toward his goal. He is in fact “striving after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 5:16-17). Some perceived problems are in fact real problems. The alleged COVID pandemic, I’m convinced, involved a real virus. Nevertheless, the mainstream popularized method of protecting people, it turns out, left a lot to be desired. Yes, people were busy doing things—the things our government and their cultural megaphones told them to do. This included wearing masks, social distancing, limiting gathering sizes, receiving multiple injections of an experimental vaccine, isolating people from loved ones, and endlessly sanitizing literally everything. Because people were busy doing things they felt as though they were helping to solve a problem. In reality, these activities did very little in that regard and probably made things worse. We see this kind of thing also in the doctrines and practices of the world’s religions. Practitioners recognize a real problem, the estrangement of man from God, but their ideas on how to solve the problem are dead wrong. For all their effort in prayers, rituals, pilgrimages, and good works, they are no closer to solving this most important of all problems. Today’s verse passage reminds us that we need God’s wisdom and direction; without his input we are hopeless (Psalm 94:11; 1 Corinthians 1:20). If we ask our Lord for wisdom He will grant it (James 1:5); He will guide us to Wisdom incarnate, the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30), Who is Himself the solution to every problem we will ever face. Let us consult Him often, trust Him completely, and walk in His ways evermore. Praise ye the Lord!
God bless you, dear saints,
Pastor John
English