Friday, 05 July 2024
“This is what the LORD says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken! – Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT
Intelligence quotient (IQ), is an index used to measure someone’s intelligence. Many gifted scientists’ and theologians’ IQs have been measured. Albert Einstein’s IQ was estimated to be around 160. Stephen Hawking who was one of greatest minds to ever walk this earth also had an IQ of 160. These people with such high IQs usually go on to achieve great things in their chosen fields of study. They are celebrated for their intelligence and wisdom, and most of their admirers go to the extent of studying at the same universities their idols studied at. They take pride and “honor” in the fact that they studied in Ivy League colleges. If I stand before a crowd and hint at having studied at Oxford or Harvard, people already know that I am very wise and distinguished as I am an alumni of the greatest university (I belong to a company of greats). This is all because I studied and acquired all this knowledge myself, I am self-made.
This is how the world views wisdom and intelligence, and why when we attend someone’s graduation we come in our own gowns and outfits, just to remind people, in case they might have forgotten, that we are also learned and alumnis of great colleges. Unfortunately, in the Kingdom, my wisdom doesn’t come from my works and personal achievements. Wisdom only comes from GOD, understanding is a result of knowing and fearing the LORD. There is no boasting, as it’s a gift given to those who fear and have reverence for the LORD of hosts.
“To the person who pleases him, GOD gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases GOD” Ecclesiastes 2:26 NIV. If we recall, Solomon chose wisdom over everything, which GOD granted him. As a result of having wisdom, GOD granted him even things he didn’t request (e.g. wealth). From the above scripture (Ecclesiastes), we can deduce that GOD will grant us abundance and overflow in our lives when He is pleased with us. And one of the ways to please Him is to acquire wisdom only He can give. So maybe, just maybe, it’s not provision you lack but wisdom instead. Wisdom is the key to everything as it unlocks a plethora of things that GOD wants to give us. It pleases the Father and draws you close to Him, and it gives understanding and opens your mind to so many things (e.g. Solomon and visitors coming to him with all sorts of gifts).
Because this wisdom wasn’t self-acquired, there is no room to boast. And the humility that comes with that opens doors you didn’t even know existed; it opens your mind to things you couldn’t imagine are possible or even available. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” Proverbs 9:10 NIV.
Wisdom only comes from GOD, understanding is a result of knowing and fearing the LORD
0 Comments