Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ESV)
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Wisdom – a priceless gem. Liken to a beautiful woman in the Book of Proverbs – profitable and pursued. Everyone desires to be a wise sage. Masses of voices via social media are driving
through ideas, opinions and agenda daily without cease. There is an overload of information everyday especially during a global crisis now. Which voice do we listen to? How do we respond?
Proverbs 1:7 clearly says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” To be wise – is to fear God first. We may succumb ourselves to many fear if we don’t hear God first. Fear is
commonly suggestive of a negative emotion. But the fear of God is a crucial denominator of how we live out our Christian life in accordance and response to his word. This fear is divine
reverence and honour to God who is sovereign.
On the other extreme, in the name of faith, we may be indifferent to the world; rejecting realities which confronts us and become subjects of apathy. We do not exercise the gift of the cognitive
power which is blessed by our Creator.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 is an image of how important a sharp tool is for efficacy. Time and effort are wasted when the tool is blunt. A sharpened tool is liken to wisdom applied and speed up for
success.
How do we apply godly wisdom in our lives for success?
How do we balance our faith and works as taught in the Book of James?
We need wisdom. Wisdom is not mere intellect nor rational reasonings. Neither is wisdom an empty faith proclamation. Wisdom is knowing how to apply the knowledge we received, at the
right time for the right people for the right cause. Seek godly wisdom for it is only divine knowledge and revelation that will lead us to successfully execute divine plans for divine
purposes.
Sometimes wisdom calls us to do radical extraordinary exploits. Other times, wisdom mellows us down to just do the ordinaries.
In a global crisis now; which our own nation is not being spared, let us pray for wisdom for all – from the government to the grassroots to received wisdom and counsel to do the right thing to speed up for a successful rescue and reboot in health and economy. The Church needs to be wise and accountable to God and each other to bring him glory.
“Father in Heaven, we stand united in prayer beseeching your wisdom and counsel for all authourities in making the right decisions and successful implementation of plans to rescue our
current health situation. Grant wisdom for plans ahead for follow-up plans for the health and economic recovery. We seek to be wise instrument in such phenomenal time, and let the fear of
God fill us; and be the governing impulse. We seek the Holy Spirit’s leadership in our lives as we wait and pray for a reformation in our government and deliverance from the threat of
Covid19. Above all else, let your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang.
(20 March 2020)