Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Wisdom in Creation
Proverbs 8:22-31
v23-25 “I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth”
Proverbs 8:22-31
v23-25 “I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth”
My favorite place to spend time with God is in nature. When I look around and see various trees, plants, and even annoying bugs, I am reminded of the complexity and intentionality with which God created the world around us. Everything in nature serves a purpose and has a role to play in sustaining our ecosystem. Simply looking around at nature shows us the wisdom of God. Proverbs 8:22-31 illustrates how wisdom was present before all creation. It is primary and fundamental to everything in our world, and it serves as the foundation for all of creation.
In the New Testament, Paul draws a parallel between the wisdom that was present before the world was created and Christ’s presence in the beginning when he says, “The son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” To know Jesus is to know wisdom. James 3 talks about how we do not gain heavenly wisdom when we harbor envy and selfish ambition in our hearts. Heavenly wisdom cannot exist in us if we are consistently feeding into things of this world and harboring negativity. So how do we obtain wisdom? It’s simple. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). We must recognize the sinfulness in our own hearts and pray for God to remove the envy and selfish ambition we harbor and replace it with wisdom. We must delve into the word so as to know God better because “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). We must make a whole-hearted commitment to seek out wisdom by seeking out Jesus daily.
In the New Testament, Paul draws a parallel between the wisdom that was present before the world was created and Christ’s presence in the beginning when he says, “The son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” To know Jesus is to know wisdom. James 3 talks about how we do not gain heavenly wisdom when we harbor envy and selfish ambition in our hearts. Heavenly wisdom cannot exist in us if we are consistently feeding into things of this world and harboring negativity. So how do we obtain wisdom? It’s simple. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). We must recognize the sinfulness in our own hearts and pray for God to remove the envy and selfish ambition we harbor and replace it with wisdom. We must delve into the word so as to know God better because “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). We must make a whole-hearted commitment to seek out wisdom by seeking out Jesus daily.
PRAYER
Lord, we thank you that you are infinitely wise and that you give wisdom so generously. We pray that you place a desire in our hearts to seek you out daily and intentionally so that we may draw closer to you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God's holiness and sovereignty, acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.” – J.I. Packer
Annalissa Thomas, Long Island Marthoma Church, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church