Mining for Wisdom

“Where can wisdom be found?
    Where does understanding dwell?
No mortal comprehends its worth;
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.
The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
    the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
    nor can its price be weighed in silver.
It cannot be bought with gold,
    with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
    nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
    the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
    it cannot be bought with pure gold.

Where then does wisdom come from?
    Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
    concealed even from the birds in the sky.
Destruction and Death say,
    ‘Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.’
God understands the way to it
    and he alone knows where it dwells,
for he views the ends of the earth
    and sees everything under the heavens.
When he established the force of the wind
    and measured out the waters,
when he made a decree for the rain
    and a path for the thunderstorm,
then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
    he confirmed it and tested it.
And he said to the human race,
    ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.'” Job 28:12-28

Acutely aware- through experience, observation, and the musings of suffering- of the intricacies of the Almighty’s designs and deeds, Job attempted to describe the source of priceless wisdom. His mind had explored the vastness of heavens and earth, his heart deep sways of emotion, his soul the intricacies of crushing pain, and still his finite mind knew “merely the outskirts of His ways.” The summary of his searching, contemplation, wonder, and longing was that wisdom came from fear of the Lord. It was not a thing to behold or be held, rather an intimate, reverent knowledge of God Himself. As one who’d wrestled with the divine through significant agony and palpable evil, Job was certain that wisdom involved the whole will attached to the Lord. (Job 26:7-14)

In our day, true wisdom can be elusive. So much information bombards our senses through incessant media and opining, and unless we have godly discernment we can be overwhelmed with knowing what is true. We face the ravages of the drawn-out consequences of the fall that teach lessons themselves. We enjoy sweetness in relationships and victories, and learn the benefits of disciplined and applied knowledge. We observe the Creator’s beauties. Yet rather than assuming wisdom from personal experience itself, we must understand it is gleaned only through a proper fear of the God behind everything. His works bear His signature, His Word and character impart wisdom. (Proverbs 1:2-7)

What stimulates our hunger pangs? Do we desire success, material goods, or approval, or long for the Lord and His wisdom? How will we daily dig, search, press on to fear and know God? Godly wisdom imparts knowledge, supplies guidance, protects integrity, and graces with discretion and peace. (Proverbs 2:1-15; Hosea 6:3; Matthew 5:6; James 1:5; 3:17)

Father, may I daily mine for wisdom from above, and apply it to Your glory here below.