Wisdom

     Where does wisdom come from?  Ever hear the old Helen Reddy song "I am Woman"?  That 1972 release (yes, I remember it well) proclaimed "yes I am wise but it's wisdom born of pain".  While there is some truth in wisdom being born out of pain,  real wisdom comes from the Lord. Proverbs 2:6 tells us "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding".  It's something we should seek and even look for like it's a hidden treasure.  We are to desire wisdom.
    Ever thought about the benefits of wisdom?  As we travel on down through Proverbs chapter 2 we are told of those benefits.  Like how about this....wisdom will actually save us from the ways of wicked men.  We know we should walk the straight and narrow path.  But did you know that wisdom will actually provide us a way to do that and protect us from walking the same path as those who are crooked and devious in their ways?  Yep!  It says it right there in the Word!
     Know anyone who has been lead astray by the flattering words of someone else?  Depending on the translation, and I enjoy using several translations while studying the Word,  Proverbs refers to this person as the alien woman, adulterous woman, forbidden woman or strange woman.  Whichever translation you choose, it goes on to say that this woman has left the husband of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.  She has no respect for the covenant she made before God so what would make anyone think they could trust a word she says?  But just think....pursuing wisdom instead of listening to those flattering words will actually save you from living like you are dead!   Wisdom always gives life.  This woman only gives death no matter how pretty the picture might be that she paints with her words.
     I must admit.  I feel really badly for that wicked man who walks a crooked path.  Void of wisdom, he's on his way to hell.  Unfortunately he wants to take others with him.  And when he befriends the unsuspecting, he accomplishes his plans.  Hell gains two or thee or thousands all because of that one who walked a crooked path, convincing others it was the way to go.  If he had only sought wisdom.
     And what about that alien or adulterous woman?  She thinks she is happy but she's like a black widow spider.  Anyone pulled into her web by her flattering words in the name of "love"   is actually sentencing to a living hell.  Her words entangle and trap.  The victim  or victims didn't see it coming until it was too late.  This woman is doomed to the pits of hell and wants to make everyone else miserable just like she is, but she doesn't even know it.  How different would her life and the lives of her victims be if they had just sought out wisdom instead of evil and broken covenants.
     But wisdom.  Yes wisdom.  Proverbs chapter 2 goes on to say that if we walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous we will live in the land.  We will own it!  But the wicked and unfaithful will be torn from it.  How completely different is the life one who pursues wisdom instead of being lead astray by the wicked or  the black widow spider.
     So is there no chance for us if we make the mistake of following the wicked or listening to the flattering words of that black widow spider?  Well if that were so, our God wouldn't be that great of a God would He?  Thing is, He can even save the wicked man and the black widow spider.  But only if they repent.  Will there be wisdom?  Of course there will be if there is true repentance.  You see, the one who truly repents seeks after God.  No longer does it matter what you've done. Once He has forgiven you, it's like those sins never happened in His eyes and that's what really counts.  Will there be scars?  Yeah, probably so.  Remember wisdom born of pain?  Well that's it.  Is God the origin of that wisdom?  You bet!  And that pain will now be used for good.  Wisdom wins.
     As I said earlier, I used several translations as I studied the benefits of wisdom today.  One last verse, and this one is from the Good News Translation of Proverbs 1:7 "To have knowledge you must first have reverence for the Lord.  Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn."  So there you have it.  Plain and simple.  To be wise, first  we must have reverence for the Lord.  Any other attitude.....well I'm not the one who said it..... 
     Seek wisdom.  Look for it like it's a hidden treasure.  And then store it, build on it, thank God for it.  Treasure it.  And share it.