A Threefold Gift - Part 1
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- Published: Tuesday, 06 December 2016 07:25
FOLLOWING THE MASTER – A Lenten Devotional
28th Day of Lent
March 12, 2016
A Threefold Gift - Part 1
Copyright 2016 Monica Hernandez
“For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge and joy”
(Ecclesiastes 2:26).
In the Book of Ecclesiastes the Spirit of God gave us this beautiful triplet: wisdom, knowledge and joy and it is interesting to note that the Spirit chose joy to be in the company of wisdom and knowledge.
Wisdom is a combination of both knowledge and experience. It is similar to the process of going to school to learn a skill or trade and, with experience, applying such knowledge. A student in any vocation begins by learning the basic principles of the work, day by day, until he gathers information on all there is to know about that skill or trade, and learns how to apply it.
One day, the student leaves his place of learning and goes out into the work force and begins to apply the knowledge he has gained, most likely, over many years. There he gains experience by hands-on application and begins to develop deeper wisdom in his chosen skill.
Knowledge gives us the information to learn concepts, and put pieces together but wisdom affords us another dimension in the learning process. It is an overall deep sense of knowing how a piece of machinery will work, for example. No matter how much is learnt by way of knowledge, it takes experience to bring us into full wisdom of our skill.
And there is no greater knowledge than knowing God through His Word, and how He works. As we pursue knowledge of God through knowing His Word, He takes us through step by step, line by line, precept upon precept, confirming His Word by signs and wonders. As we build into this experience we gain wisdom.
And as we gain wisdom in the way He works by knowing Him and applying His Word, He furnishes us with greater stability, peace of mind, and true spiritual joy.
Proverbs 4:7 tells us that “wisdom is the principal thing, therefore we must get wisdom and with all our getting we must get understanding.” Are you gathering knowledge of God through knowing His Word and experiencing how He works, and setting the stage for a revelation of His wisdom?
SUGGESTED READINGS: Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 4:7; 17:24; Ecclesiastes 2:26.
PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, help me to pursue knowledge of you and help me gain wisdom and understanding. Come, O Spirit of wisdom, and reveal thyself to me, in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom.
