THE POOR MAN'S WISDOM
The wisest man ever lived was king Solomon, he asked for wisdom when God said to him to ask for whatever gift, Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3). What stunned him should also be a concern to whoever desires to be wise. Many cities, great and small have been swallowed up by great powers. Many battles have been won with wise strategy instead of brute strength. If men depend on his own strength, he will often be defeated. If one equally depend on the strength of others, he will meet his failures unexpectedly, for an arm of flesh is always weak.
Sheba had rebelled against David and gathered quite a following. (David’s reign was a prosperous one, yet there were numerous rebellions against the establishment.) Joab followed him to Abel and prepared to destroy the city. What would the men of the little city do? A wise woman asked to speak to Joab, the mighty general who was battering away at the walls of Abel. She asked Joab a question, “Why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?” Joab said to her they only wanted Sheba not the entire city. The woman spread the word. The fugitive was beheaded, and his head was tossed over the wall to Joab and he departed from the city - 2 Samuel 20:15-22.
From common experiences of life, Solomon saw great wisdom. How often do we miss the best from life and our surroundings? If Solomon thought this to be great, we need to also consider his observations carefully. He observed that wisdom is better than strength. Invariably mean, a beast is stronger than a man but man is the master. Among men, the wise often command the strong in labour and management. Wisdom often comes from sources easily overlooked, when they sought a solution to their problem of being attacked by a great force, no man thought about this poor fellow knowing what to do. Wisdom is often found among things the world considers weak and base (1 Corinthians 1:25-29). Even Jesus met this problem as some rejected Him because He did not fit their idea of a wise man. John 1:46 says, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” John 6:42 says, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”
Wisdom finally wins, even though loudness may get the immediate attention (9:17). In the church, some follow the loud ones into error. Each Christian should do his own thinking on the right basis (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 20:29, 30). The one who uses wisdom quietly will do the most good in the long run. Just keep on working away while going the right direction. Wisdom is better than weapons of war. We have stockpiles of weapons, but wise negotiations mean we do not use the weapons! Prevention is better than cure and more powerful! Wisdom in living for Christ is better than the cure for sin. It prevents the consequences (1 John 2:1, 2).
Word Affirmation: “(I have) light, and gladness, and joy, and honour." – Esther 8:16 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“ Wisdom is often found among things the world considers weak and base. "
MIND THIS