Wisdom & Understanding
I don’t always appear wise. In fact, I’ve been known to make a dumb decision occasionally. The older I’ve become, the fewer dumb decisions I’ve made. I am still learning and growing in knowledge and wisdom. I want to be a life-long learner. In reading God’s Word, I believe He speaks into my very soul and my mind. He gives me wisdom and understanding that I definitely need.
Job has been battling through suffering. His friends have lectured him. Job has pushed back on them. Now God is speaking to Job. He is asking a bunch of questions. He is also teaching Job and his friends. The Lord is using Job’s suffering and struggle to teach him. Check this out…
13 “The ostrich flaps her wings grandly,
but they are no match for the feathers of the stork.
14 She lays her eggs on top of the earth,
letting them be warmed in the dust.
15 She doesn’t worry that a foot might crush them
or a wild animal might destroy them.
16 She is harsh toward her young,
as if they were not her own.
She doesn’t care if they die.
17 For God has deprived her of wisdom.
He has given her no understanding.
18 But whenever she jumps up to run,
she passes the swiftest horse with its rider. (Job 39:13-18 NLT)
I feel confident that Job is listening to the Lord as He speaks to him. I see some truth and teaching in the questions and observations that the Lord makes. If you ever watch animals, it’s obvious that some are smarter than others. We humans are made in the image or likeness of God. We have reasoning skills. We have learning skills. We operate quite differently than animals. (I may have to make exceptions as I’ve seen criminals who don’t act much different than animals.)
God made us to love.
God made us to understand.
God made us to grow in wisdom.
In the struggles and sufferings that we are handed while here on this earth can make us better or make us bitter. Bitterness can cause self-destruction from the inside out. Becoming better in spite of my struggles and suffering makes me stronger. I grow more in wisdom and understanding when I’m struggling or suffering than at any other time. I don’t always welcome suffering and struggle, but the Lord NEVER wastes an opportunity to use it to help me grow.
Pressing On!
Dwayne