Waiting with Wisdom

Scripture tells us that wisdom is better than gold and to have insight is so much better than silver (Proverbs 16:16).

It is the Lord who gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding.” ( Proverbs 2:6)

Isaiah 48:17 says “I am the Lord your God who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go”.

And James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”

God is the source of all that we are, all that we have and all that we know. And he will give us the wisdom that will enable us to apply his word in various seasons of our lives, especially seasons of trial where we are called to wait, depend on and trust God. But it is at those times that dependence and surrender seem especially challenging.

Proverbs 3:1-12, speaks of the great benefits of wisdom. Wisdom from God does not teach us to be led by our anxiety or fears. It invites us to a place of deeper trust and surrender as we wait on him to lead and guide.

Prov 3:1-12 gives us five spiritual nuggets to hold onto that will enable us in ‘Waiting on God with wisdom’.

• Obedience (v 1-4) – “My son, do not forget my teaching,
      but keep my commands in your heart,
  ² for they will prolong your life many years
      and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favour and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

In times of waiting, anxiousness rises, uncertainty bothers and we can lean towards stepping out of his will and trying to make things happen in our own timing. As followers of Christ, we are meant to stay obedient to him through all situations including seasons of waiting.

Scripture teaches us that faith comes from hearing the word of God, and that if we love him, we will obey his commands. Obedience begins with feeding on God’s word and storing it deep in our hearts. God does not desire surface level obedience from us, but a wholehearted willing heart that seeks to do his will. Let God’s word be etched in our hearts such that they are not erased by life’s circumstances but are the life guiding principles by which we function.

• Trust (v 5-6) – Trust in the Lord with all your heart
      and lean not on your own understanding;
  ⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
      and he will make your paths straight.

These famous verses are a favourite for many of us. Verbalizing our trust is so much easier than living it out. To trust the Lord with all of our hearts calls us to forsake our perceived wisdom, submit to his wisdom and to acknowledge his lordship.

Obedience to God requires trust, and trusting in God leads us to being obedient even when we do not necessarily see him tangibly acting on our behalf in that moment. While we wait, may we choose to proclaim the verses below.

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”

• Humility (v 7-8) – Do not be wise in your own eyes;
      fear the Lord and shun evil.
  ⁸ This will bring health to your body
      and nourishment to your bones.

Often, it is our reliance on ourselves and our understanding that causes us to get impatient and jump ahead of God’s timing. To be wise in our own eyes is prideful. While we wait, be aware and guard against the inclination to be reliant on ourselves but rather depend on the one who is Sovereign and all knowing.

Proverbs 16:5 says “The Lord detests all the proud of heart.”

James 4: 10 says “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.”

• Honouring God (v 9-10) – Honour the Lord with your wealth,
      with the first fruits of all your crops;
  ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
      and your vats will brim over with new wine.

These verses allude to honouring God with our wealth. When we are in a difficult situation, we tend to get tight fisted with what we possess. Let’s broaden this by applying it beyond just our finances, it could be our time, our talents and any other resources at our disposal. Often when we are going through a challenging time, we find it hard to look outward towards others, I often find that to lend a helping hand as a way to honour God is a balm to an aching soul.

While we wait, may we honour him with where we are at with regards to our circumstances. Honour him with what we have, maybe it is the wealth of our time, our talents, the wisdom we gained through various circumstances in our lives or any other resource (like opening our home, helping someone with car rides to their doctors’ appointments)

• Accept teaching and correction (v11-12) – My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
  ¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
      as a father the son he delights in.^”

The Lord disciplines those he loves. It is never easy to be disciplined but it is for our good. While we wait, may we surrender and submit to the potter’s hands to mold the lump of clay that we are, into the shape and design he has purposed for us.

Lord, thank you for your word. When we have to wait on you, help us to humble ourselves, wholeheartedly obey, trust and honour you.

God Bless.